In Oliver Goldsmith's, "She Stoops To Conquer," it looks as if Kate Hardcastle is little more than a dutiful daughter who marries the man her father has chosen for her. An argument could be made that Kate is a puppet of those around her, following the path laid out for her and living to please those around her. This is not the case. Kate is an independent woman who knows what she wants and does whatever it takes to get it. She allows those around her to believe she is giving into them but in reality she's tricking them into giving her control and total power over everything in her life. It could be argued Kate started at the bottom as no more than a follower and struggles to gain control over her own life but in fact Kate's had the power all along she just needed the right moment to put it into play. With Mrs. Harding so busy with the love triangle going on between Miss Neville, Hastings and Tony she doesn't have time to worry about Kate, making it the perfect time to play with her power. She is left to prove herself to Marlow and Mr. Hardcastle; both in which she conquers and achieves total power in her own life. This proves Kate is not a follower but in fact a strong female character in charge of her own destiny. .
First, we see Kate's ability to control what's going on in her life with her ability to compromise and keep control. Kate is able to compromises what she wants to give others what they want but not to an extent she forgets about her morals and personal wants. Kate and Mr. Hardcastle have compromised on how Kate should dress. In the morning she shall please herself and impress those around her in silk dresses fit for royalty, but in the afternoon she is "plainly dressed" which her father is pleased to see, "Well, my Kate, I see you have changed your dress as I bid you" (Goldsmith 27). This could be seen as Kate giving into her father's wishes but in fact it takes a strong woman to stand up for what she wants and to find a compromise with a man.
