INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL – “SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER” BY OLIVER GOLDSMITH

CONTENT

1. Background Introduction to the Book ‘She Stoops to Conquer’
2. The Author of the Book – Oliver Goldsmith

Background Introduction to the Book ‘She Stoops to Conquer’

She Stoops to Conquer is a comedy most performed in the 18^th century.

It is one of the few plays from the 18^th century to have an enduring appeal and is still regularly performed today. This is so because it is unanimously enjoyed for its amazing and deep insight into human psychology and behaviour. It is immensely rich in comic situations, lively characterization and amusing language. It is a good example of laughing comedy. Initially, the play was titled ‘mistake of a night’ because the events within the play took place in one long night.

The play has variously been seen by critics as a comedy of manners, a romantic comedy, comedy of errors, a laughing or sentimental comedy, and even a satire.

However, the title ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ stands out because of how rate the heroine condescended to be a barmaid to reach her goal by causing her suitor to fall in love with her.