Humorous Misunderstandings as the Theme of Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer

Abstract

This study aims to analyze humorous misunderstandings as the central theme in Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy She Stoops to Conquer. Written in the eighteenth century, the play presents a series of comic situations arising from mistaken identities, misinterpretations, and differences in social expectations. These misunderstandings create confusion among the characters while revealing their personalities, attitudes, and relationships. Through its humorous situations, the play also satirizes social conventions, class distinctions, and the importance attached to reputation and status in contemporary society.

This study employs a qualitative descriptive method and a literary analysis approach. The primary data are taken from the dialogue, characterization, and significant events in She Stoops to Conquer. The data are collected through close reading, note-taking, and classification of passages relevant to humorous misunderstandings. The analysis focuses on the causes of misunderstanding, the development of comic situations, and the relationship between humor and the play’s major theme. Particular attention is given to the contrast between the characters’ intentions and their interpretations of other characters’ words and actions.

The analysis is expected to demonstrate that humorous misunderstandings function as more than a source of entertainment. They serve as the principal mechanism through which the plot develops, relationships change, and social pretensions are exposed. The confusion surrounding Marlow’s encounter with Kate Hardcastle, for example, illustrates how mistaken assumptions about social identity can produce comic consequences. Furthermore, the resolution of these misunderstandings emphasizes the importance of honesty, self-awareness, and direct communication. In conclusion, Goldsmith uses comedy to entertain the audience while encouraging reflection on human behavior and social conventions. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of humor as a literary device and a thematic element in eighteenth-century English drama.