In Bennett's monologues the characters and their attitudes have quite a lot in common. To realise these similarities and differences, it is necessary to see what we learn directly or implicitly about the main characters' lives and what they tell us about their situations. In ‘A Chip in the Sugar' the main character, Graham, is a middle aged man that has a very good relationship with his mother. This is shown by the fact that some people mistake them for husband and wife. Graham's whole life revolves around his mother. It is clear that Graham gets very jealous of any other men in his mother's life.
This is shown when Mr.Turnbull, ‘a flash of the past', turns up again in his mother's life. Graham really doesn't like Mr.Turnbull. It is implied that he sees Turnbull as ‘common' with differences of opinion to Graham. They differ for example on matters of politics, racial, where to eat, where to go out. Mr. Turnbull is the chip in Graham's sweet life. As Graham gets more frustrated he seeks help from a social group who all turn against him. It is hinted that Graham has a history of mental illness. This is because Graham is convinced someone is watching him from outside the house. When his mother and Turnbull go out for a while without him, Graham shuts himself in a dark room all by himself. Bennett does this to show how dependent Graham is on his mother.
It turns out that Turnbull is married and has tried to get with other women many times before because his own wife is in a wheel chair. Graham's mother has a hard time accepting this and takes it out on Graham. It is hinted that she has a problem with Graham being a homosexual. Graham's mother blames her son for the loss of Turnbull. The monologue ends with Graham and his mother back to normal
[...] This is because much of the reading of the monologue is the main character's thoughts. This makes the reader understand the problems of the characters more and can therefore see what is wrong. Therefore the reader can create their own opinion of the characters. Bennett shows how big the gap is between the speakers perception of themselves and their situation, and an implied reality which the reader ascertains. For Graham, Bennett guides the reader to have much sympathy for him. [...]
[...] Through both situations Bennett guides us to feel slightly sympathetic to the characters. In Graham's case it is because he desperately needs his mother even though ironically he makes out that she needs him. In Miss. Ruddock's case we learn that because of the loss of her mother, her letters of complaint are only her ways of trying to contact people. Bennett guides the reader to realise that both characters are isolated. There is a strong sense of loneliness in both characters. [...]
[...] Compare the presentation of the speaker in Alan Bennett's monologues ‘A chip in the sugar' and ‘A Lady of letters'. How does Alan Bennett guide your reactions to the characters? In Bennett's monologues the characters and their attitudes have quite a lot in common. To realise these similarities and differences, it is necessary to see what we learn directly or implicitly about the main characters' lives and what they tell us about their situations. In ‘A Chip in the Sugar' the main character, Graham, is a middle aged man that has a very good relationship with his mother. [...]
[...] The endings of the two monologues are important to see how Bennett sums up his characters. In Graham's case everything goes back to the way it was, as Turnbull has left, his mother is happy again, and they are like a couple once again. This is shown at the end of the monologue when “She put her arm through mine” as if they are a couple. Although on the surface this may seem a good thing it can be seen from another viewpoint. [...]
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