The Portrayal of the Contemporary Society in Talking Heads

1205 Words3 Pages

The Portrayal of the Contemporary Society in Talking Heads

We have been studying three different monologues written by Alan

Bennett. They are 'Her Big Chance' involving Lesley an actress, 'Bed

Among the Lentils' with Susan, a vicars wife and 'A Chip in the Sugar'

including Graham who still lives with his mother. In this essay I am

going to discuss how contemporary society is portrayed in all three.

There are many different issues in our society which are raised in

talking heads, for example: religion, ageism and sexuality.

Sexuality

Sexuality is involved in all three monologues, but more in Graham's.

All throughout 'A Chip in the Sugar' there is suspicion that Graham is

gay. An example of this is in the clothes he wears. "Plastic Mac",

"and flares are anathema even in Bradford", and "grey socks and

sandals." Mr Turnbull suggests that these clothes are not suitable for

a young man of today. Also at the very end of the monologue our

suspicions appear to be correct when Graham's mother says, "I know the

kind of magazines you read" I said, "Chess. You'll catch a cold" She

said, "They never are chess. Chess with no clothes on. Chess in their

birthday suits. That kind of chess. Chess men." I said, "Go to bed.

And turn your blanket off". Here Graham's mother has finally gained

power after Graham's secret is revealed. We can see that he tries to

regain the power as he tries to remind her again to knock her blanket

off. Graham uses his mother's problem with remembering things quite

often when he feels he is losing power.

In 'Her Big Chance' there is only one occasion when sexuality is

involved. Lesley does not like what Scott had j...

... middle of paper ...

...iews to the different monologues. I

found it very hard to find anything to do with racism, religion or

sexuality in Lesley's monologue. I think this is because Bennet is

trying to get across that some people's lives include just one issue

in society, whereas others can contain a combination of all different

issues like Graham. I also think Bennet has helped us to learn from

our reactions and opinions, as we have seen how selfish we are with

opinions and need time to consider them more and change them.

But do we choose what we want to dismiss and only have what we think

in our heads or do we just say and think what the rest of society is

thinking, and have we just been brainwashed with ideas? Deep down I

think we all do not truly believe with the majority but are afraid to

be singled out for having different opinions.

Open Document