The plot in six lines
Lady Sneerwell and her gossip circle spread damaging rumours, while she joins Joseph Surface in keeping Charles Surface and Maria apart.
Maria loves Charles, but her guardian Sir Peter Teazle favours Joseph, whose reputation for virtue conceals his desire for her fortune.
Sir Peter quarrels with Lady Teazle over her fashionable life, while she joins the gossip circle and receives attention from Joseph.
Sir Oliver Surface returns from India and tests his nephews in disguise, finding a contrast between Joseph's fine words and Charles's generous heart.
Joseph's hypocrisy is exposed before Sir Peter, while Lady Teazle admits her folly and receives forgiveness from her husband.
Sir Oliver rewards Charles, who wins Maria, while Lady Sneerwell and her circle are shamed and left to their own devices.
Themes
Reputation and character: The brothers' contrasting reputations show how public praise can conceal hypocrisy while public blame overlooks generosity.
Gossip and power: Lady Sneerwell uses rumours to pursue her wishes, while her circle turns other people's private lives into entertainment.
Words and conduct: Joseph's speeches about virtue contrast with his behaviour, making actions a more reliable test of goodness than polished talk.
Marriage: Sir Peter and Lady Teazle wound each other through quarrels, yet their reconciliation shows the affection beneath their disagreements.
Characters
- Lady SneerwellA wealthy widow who spreads slander as a hobby and a weapon, and who hopes to win Charles Surface for herself.
- Joseph SurfaceThe respected elder nephew, full of fine speeches about virtue, who wants Maria's fortune and works to keep his good name.
- Charles SurfaceThe younger nephew, called a reckless spendthrift by society, generous and open, who loves Maria and has little left to his name.
- Sir Peter Teazle
- Lady TeazleHis young wife from the country, who enjoys London fashion and her new freedom, and who is drawn into the gossip circle.
- MariaSir Peter's ward and an heiress, kind and sensible, who loves Charles and is pressed to favour Joseph instead.
For the A level coursework
- AQA (Literature A): recommended text for the A level non-exam assessment (coursework).
From the boards' own documents (the specifications and coursework guidance listed under Sources), read on 24 October 2026. Your school chooses the coursework texts: ask your teacher before you start.
Questions
What is The School for Scandal about?
The School for Scandal is about gossip, deceptive reputations and the difference between appearing virtuous and acting generously. An uncle's tests of his nephews bring private character into conflict with fashionable society's judgements.
Who are the main characters in The School for Scandal?
The main characters are Joseph Surface, Charles Surface, Lady Sneerwell, Sir Peter Teazle, Lady Teazle, Maria and Sir Oliver Surface. The brothers' contrasting characters connect the gossip circle, Maria's courtship and Sir Oliver's search for the truth.
What are the main themes of The School for Scandal?
The main themes are reputation and character, the harm of gossip, hypocrisy and marriage. Sheridan contrasts clever speech with honest conduct, asking whether society recognises goodness or merely rewards its appearance.
Which boards mention The School for Scandal for A level English Literature?
AQA (Literature A): recommended text for the A level non-exam assessment (coursework). Your school chooses the coursework texts, so ask your teacher before you start.
