Mrs. Clackitt is known for spreading rumors that have serious consequences. Although she never appears on stage in The School for Scandal, she is frequently mentioned by other characters as a notorious gossip who delights in spreading scandalous stories.
Her rumors have led to broken engagements, unhappy marriages, and even cases of disinheritance, showcasing the real-world damage that gossip can cause.
However, despite these serious consequences, the play presents her and other rumormongers in a satirical light, making fun of their behavior rather than portraying them as purely villainous.
Mrs. Clackitt represents the exaggerated and relentless nature of gossip in high society, where rumors can shape or destroy reputations in an instant.
