Oliver Goldsmith

Life

Born 1728 in Ireland – studied medicine – tramped through Europe – returned to London – came to know Dr. Johnson – became member of “Johnson’s Club” – many financial troubles – died in poverty 1774. Moment in Westminster Abbey.

Works

Poems (e.g. “The Deserted Village”)

Plays (“The Goodnatured Man”, “She Stoops to Conquer”)

Essays and letters (e.g. “A Citizen of the World”)

One Novel (“The Vicar of Wakefield”)

“The History of England”, “Roman History”

The Vicar of Wakefield

Main characters:

  • Dr. Charles Primrose – the vicar of Wakefield
  • Deborah – his wife
  • George, Moses Olivia, Sophia – their children
  • Mr. Burchell  - his nephew
  • Arabella Willmat -George’s fiancée

Sudden changes in the fortune of the vicar:

  • He loses almost all his property
  • George leaves his family
  • Olivia is kidnapped and seduced
  • The vicarage burns down
  • The vicar is sent to the debtor’s prison
  • George is sentenced to death.

In the end everything ends happily.

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