Class, power and social status: men vs. women; parents vs. children; rich vs. poor; young vs. old

Whilst our sex is decided at birth, our gender is much more about society’s views of masculinity and femininity. In the play, Goldsmith makes us laugh at the way men and women, as fathers, mothers, lovers, young and old, rich and poor behave but in doing so he also raises important questions about society. Consider the presentation of the differing relationships between Kate and her father and Tony and his mother; consider the powerlessness of women and their consequent need for men with money; and just why does Mrs. Hardcastle feel the need to keep hold of the jewels? In Act II, Mrs. Hardcastle fakes sophistication with Hastings but, through Goldsmith’s use of dramatic irony, we recognise her falseness.

Example exam question: How does Goldsmith present middle-class social attitudes in the play? Focus on the presentation of at least two characters in your answer and be sure to refer in detail to Goldsmith’s uses of language, literary and dramatic devices and stage action (this is more likely an A-level question)