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Symbols
This symbol as portrayed in the play is obviously racist and morally reprehensible. Nonetheless, it exists in the play and should be analyzed. In The School for Scandal “Jewishness” generally represents the foreign and the morally unacceptable. Although the play’s Jewish character is described as an “honest Hebrew” and is not caricatured and made to look ugly, ill-mannered, or evil, he is seen as the exception, not the rule, for the Jewish people. Generally, the play suggests, Jews are selfish and ungenerous, willing to take advantage of those in need of money by asking for huge amounts of interest. The generous behavior of the “Man of Sentiment” is contrasted to the behavior of the calculating moneylender, who only gives when he can expect to receive more in return. Mentions or portrayals of Jewishness, then, are symbolic of lifestyles and attitudes that Sheridan condemns.
Jews and Anti-Semitism Quotes in The School for Scandal
The The School for Scandal quotes below all refer to the symbol of Jews and Anti-Semitism. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 3, Scene 1
Quotes
SIR OLIVER. Sir, I understand you have lately had great dealings with my nephew, Charles.
MOSES. Yes, Sir Oliver, I have done all I could for him; but he was ruined before he came to me for assistance.
SIR OLIVER. That was unlucky, truly; for you have had no opportunity of showing your talents.
MOSES. None at all; I hadn't the pleasure of knowing his distresses till he was some thousands worse than nothing.
SIR OLIVER. Unfortunate, indeed! –But I suppose you have done all in your power for him, honest Moses?
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Act 3, Scene 3
Quotes
CHARLES. Not much, indeed; unless you have a mind to the family pictures. I have got a room full of ancestors above, and if you have a taste for paintings, egad', you shall have 'em a bargain.
SIR OLIVER. Hey! what the devil! sure, you wouldn't sell your forefathers, would you?
CHARLES. Every man of them to the best bidder.
SIR OLIVER. What! your great-uncles and aunts?
CHARLES. Ay, and my great-grandfathers and grandmothers too.
SIR OLIVER. Now I give him up. [Aside.] What the plague, have you no bowels for your own kindred? Odd's life, do you take me for Shylock in the play, that you would raise money of me on your own flesh and blood?
CHARLES. Nay, my little broker, don't be angry: what need you care if you have your money's worth?
SIR OLIVER. Well, I'll be the purchaser: I think I can dispose of the family canvas. Oh, I'll never forgive him this! never!
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Get the entire School for Scandal LitChart as a printable PDF.
Jews and Anti-Semitism Symbol Timeline in The School for Scandal
The timeline below shows where the symbol Jews and Anti-Semitism appears in The School for Scandal. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 1
...against his brother. Crabtree responds that Charles, at least, has an excellent reputation among the Jewish moneylenders. Sir Benjamin says that despite his financial difficulties and the creditors who try to...
(full context)
Act 3, Scene 1
...Peter and Sir Oliver that he has also arranged for them to meet with a Jewish moneylender, Moses, who can give them a sense of Charles’s financial position. Rowley says that...
(full context)
...turned to him. Sir Oliver says this meant Moses “had no opportunity of showing your talents.” Moses tells them that he plans on introducing Charles to a broker named “Mr. Premium”...
(full context)
Sir Oliver asks how he will be able to pass for a Jew, but Moses replies that Mr. Premium is Christian. Sir Oliver says that is a shame,...
(full context)
Act 3, Scene 3
Trip enters and Charles says he must excuse himself to talk to a Jew and a broker who have come to see him. The others urge him to have...
(full context)
