The School for Scandal

“Bless me, how refreshing!

Give me the papers, Lisp—how bold and free! (Sips.)

Last night Lord L— (Sips.) was caught with Lady D—

For aching heads what charming sal volatile! (Sips.)

If Mrs. B— will still continue flirting,

We hope she’ll draw, or we’ll undraw the curtain.

Fine satire, poz— in public all abuse it,

But, by ourselves (Sips.), our praise we can’t refuse it.

Now, Lisp, read you—there, at that dash and star.”

The Lady Wormwood of the Prologue introduces the specific affectation of the gossipers in the play, sipping her drink while laughing about the people in the newspapers. The frequent “sips” emphasize her leisure, as do her commands to Lisp, presumably a servant. Her assertion that everyone expresses disgust at the rumors in print is undermined by her comment that everyone secretly enjoys the gossip, introducing the theme of The Destructive Nature of Gossip and Scandal.

“SNAKE. Not in the least; everybody allows that Lady Sneerwell can do more with a word or a look than many can with the most labored detail, even when they happen to have a little truth on their side to support it.

LADY SNEERWELL. Yes, my dear Snake; and I am no hypocrite to deny the satisfaction I reap from the success of my efforts. Wounded myself, in the early part of my life, by the envenomed tongue of slander, I confess I have since known no pleasure equal to the reducing others to the level of my own injured reputation.”

Snake’s comment claims that Sneerwell is a masterful gossip, and his claim rests specifically on how much damage she can do with her scandals. Her response reveals the origin of her gossiping lifestyle, in which she was previously injured by scandal and now relishes hurting others. This passage clearly demonstrates how both Sneerwell and Snake know what they are doing is wrong, but they enjoy it anyway.

“JOSEPH SURFACE. True, madam;—notwithstanding his vices, one can’t help feeling for him.—Aye, poor Charles! I’m sure I wish it was in my power to be of any essential service to him.—For the man who does not share in the distress of a brother, even though merited by his own misconduct, deserves—

LADY SNEERWELL. O lud! You are going to be moral, and forget that you are among friends.

JOSEPH SURFACE. Egad, that’s true!—I’ll keep that sentiment till I see Sir Peter.”

This passage highlights how Joseph has maintained a good reputation amid his gossiping, reflecting The Discrepancy Between Public Virtue and Private Vice. Sneerwell calls out his moralizing, noting that he is “among friends,” to which he replies that he will save his morals for Sir Peter.