NON-AFRICAN DRAMA Oliver Goldsmith: She Stoops to Conquer How does Mr Hardcastle feel towards his step son?

In She Stoops to Conquer, Tony Lumpkin is the son of Mrs Hardcastle by her first husband, which makes him the stepson of Mr Hardcastle. Goldsmith uses their relationship to contrast the sober values of Hardcastle with the indulgent spoiling of his wife.

Disapproval of Tony's behaviour

• Mr Hardcastle strongly disapproves of Tony's idleness and love of low company. He complains that the boy wastes his time at the alehouse among ostlers and stable-boys instead of improving himself.
• He blames Tony's coarse manners and mischief on Mrs Hardcastle's over-indulgence, believing she has ruined him with pampering.

Restrained tolerance rather than open hatred

• Despite his irritation, Hardcastle does not treat Tony with cruelty. His feeling is one of weary exasperation and disappointment rather than malice.
• He recognises that Tony is naturally sharp and cunning, even if that cunning is misapplied. Hardcastle can therefore laugh, at times, at the boy's roguery.

A guardian's honesty

• Hardcastle acts honourably in the matter of Tony's fortune, intending that the young man should come into his rightful inheritance once he is of age.
• When it is finally revealed that Tony is already of age, information Mrs Hardcastle had concealed, Hardcastle sees to it that Tony is set free to refuse the unwanted match with Constance.

Conclusion

Mr Hardcastle's feelings towards his stepson are a mixture of disapproval, frustration and reluctant tolerance. He deplores Tony's want of education and refinement, yet he bears him no real ill will and deals with him fairly, laying the blame chiefly on his wife's spoiling rather than on the young man alone.