She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith is celebrated for its witty dialogue and humorous portrayal of mistaken identities, which many praise for its timeless appeal and ability to entertain. However, some critics argue that the plot can feel contrived. Overall, it's considered a charming and enduring comedy that remains engaging for modern audiences.

A reader who delights in classic comedy and satire will enjoy Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer. Fans of Jane Austen's humor in Pride and Prejudice and the witty social critiques in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest will appreciate Goldsmith's clever plot twists and character dynamics.

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith is a comedy of manners and romance set in 18th-century England. The plot revolves around the Hardcastle family expecting a visit from Charles Marlow, who mistakes their home for an inn due to a prank by Tony Lumpkin. Marlow, who is nervous around upper-class women but bold with lower-class ones, falls for the disguised Kate Hardcastle, leading to a series of humorous misunderstandings and romantic developments.

Humorous / Romantic / Playful / Bittersweet / Heartwarming

- She Stoops to Conquer, first performed in 1773, broke away from the then-popular sentimental comedy genre, ushering in a revival of the more humorous and realistic laughing comedy that delighted audiences with its wit and lively characters.
- When She Stoops to Conquer was first staged in London, it was so well-received that audiences cheered Oliver Goldsmith's appearance with thunderous applause, signaling the play's instant success.
- The original title of the play was "Mistakes of a Night," which aptly reflects the central misunderstandings that drive the comedic events within the span of a single evening.

**Kate Hardcastle**

The protagonist and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle, she is a perceptive and resourceful young woman who balances her love for modern fashion with respect for her family's wishes.

**Charles Marlow**

The son of a wealthy aristocrat and the love interest of Kate; he is handsome and intelligent but struggles with extreme shyness around women of his social class.

**Constance Neville**

Kate's cousin and confidante, Constance is an orphan living with the Hardcastles who is involved in a romantic subplot and seeks to access her inherited wealth.

**Tony Lumpkin**

The son of Mrs. Hardcastle from a prior marriage, Tony serves as comic relief in the play; he is mischievous, uneducated, and uninterested in the pursuits typical of his social class.

Oliver Goldsmith

Adult

Play

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore She Stoops to Conquer and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

She Stoops to Conquer Summary

Background

She Stoops to Conquer Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Act Summaries & Analyses

Act I

She Stoops to Conquer Act I Act Summary & Analysis

Act II

She Stoops to Conquer Act II Act Summary & Analysis

Act III

She Stoops to Conquer Act III Act Summary & Analysis

Act IV

She Stoops to Conquer Act IV Act Summary & Analysis

Act V

She Stoops to Conquer Act V Act Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

She Stoops to Conquer Character Analysis

theme

Themes

She Stoops to Conquer Themes

Symbols & Motifs

She Stoops to Conquer Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

She Stoops to Conquer Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

She Stoops to Conquer Essay Topics

She Stoops to Conquer

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read She Stoops to Conquer?

Reading Age

Book Details