How Much Does The Lady Who Spins The Letters On Wheel Of Fortune Make A Year Essay Example
The protagonist of A Lady of Letters is Miss. Ruddock, an isolated woman who is obsessed with writing letters.
Originally created for television, the play features only Patricia Routledge as Miss. Ruddock, making it a monologue. A monologue is where one person speaks their thoughts aloud or directly addresses a reader, audience, or character. The monologue showcases the character's alienation to the audience, as they can only see one perspective. However, it also creates a sense of intimacy between the audience and Miss.
In the monologue, Ruddock shares her innermost thoughts and emotions, highlighting the impact of the play's medium on the audience's perception. While TV allows for a concentrated focus on her every move due to the camera, distraction is more likely on stage, diminishing any claustrophobic atmosphere. Themes of isolation and loneliness are prominent, as she has no companions but
...writes letters to everyone.
Displayed through the pen gifted by her mother, Miss. Ruddock's unparalleled isolation and alienation lead to her sole companionship with an inanimate object. Initially, the audience may harbor negative sentiments towards her, however, as the monologue progresses, a sense of pity for her circumstance arises. In the introduction of Miss. Ruddock, the audience experiences a mixture of amusement and vexation towards the character.
The speaker's discussion of the crematorium service is met with complaints and moaning from the audience, revealing her belief that such ceremonies should be treated with reverence. However, the use of the word "brisk" suggests a somber tone indicative of her own sadness and loneliness. Furthermore, her formal language frustrates listeners who perceive it as impersonal and lacking authenticity. Examples include references to "rhododendrons," which
seem forced and do not reflect her true persona. Additional reading on this topic can be found in Our Lady's Juggler.
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Instead of using formal language, the director of operations could have simply referred to the "flowerbed" instead of discussing similar infringements.
In her letter to the church, the writer makes an exaggerated comment about the director of operations, specifically regarding cigarettes and their prevalence.
By using certain words, she sets herself apart from others and fails to effectively communicate. The audience is unaware of any difficult experiences she may have had until they learn about her mother's death.
Upon discovering that her mother had passed away, we sympathize with her, especially as she reveals that her pen has become her closest confidant. "My mother purchased it for me during her final trip to Harrogate. It has been a genuine companion," she states. The altering of the light highlights her stagnant existence, which lacks any new developments or excitement. Her situation is only exacerbated by the fact that she has no one near to share her experiences with.
In the latter part of the play, Miss. Ruddock starts to embrace the outside world and the individuals in it, having previously known all her neighbors, as well as the doctor and vicar. At her first encounter with the doctor after a long time, she maintains her formality and grouses about a neighbor's child.
Despite not seeking any medical advice or prescription, this person visits their doctor solely to complain about their "kiddy" issues. This behavior indicates a certain level of loneliness
and the need to speak to someone. When prescribed medication that proves ineffective, the complainer resumes their negative attitude towards its ineffectiveness. This display of pathetic behavior ultimately affects the audience's perception of them.
This is quite amusing because she wishes to send another letter to the Swiss company. The doctor advised getting new tablets and she could not write anyway as the company was Swiss. Additionally, she encounters a young vicar wearing a collar and tie...
According to Bennett, Miss. Ruddock endeavors to appear significant and captivating by proclaiming herself as an atheist. Bennett highlights that the idea of a beauty queen being an atheist is unexpected. Nonetheless, Bennett emphasizes that older and isolated individuals like Miss. Ruddock should not be overlooked in our society. Furthermore, Bennett suggests that such individuals can transform rapidly, as evidenced by Miss. Ruddock's imprisonment.
Bennett creates the monologue to initially make us criticize Miss. Ruddock for trivialities like her letter to the crematorium, request for a sausage, and declaration that her pen is her best friend. Although her behavior strikes us as humorous at first, our emotional response changes as the monologue progresses, leading us to feel sympathy for her. Additionally, Bennett gradually builds up towards a shocking moment where we learn about the "kiddy" in Miss. Ruddock's interaction with the police.
The perception of Miss. Ruddock among the audience undergoes a significant change after a certain moment in the play. Initially, the audience either finds amusement or dislikes her tendency to pass judgments without knowing individuals. The audience's perception of Miss. Ruddock varies across different sections of the play but towards the end, regardless of whether they like or dislike her,
they start to feel sympathetic towards her. Ultimately, at the end of the play, Miss. Ruddock's character garners sympathy from the audience.
Upon being sent to prison, Miss Ruddock undergoes a drastic transformation from her initial presentation as a posh and formal lady. It is quite amusing, in my personal opinion, to observe this change. Initially, Miss Ruddock viewed the prison as being similar to a holiday camp.
"It's no wonder there's crime with the luxuries offered in prison like television, table tennis, and art. It's just like a holiday camp," claims a character, whose opinion remains unchanged even after being sent to prison. In the play's conclusion, Bennett presents a striking contradiction as Miss. Ruddock discovers her sense of freedom behind bars and finds happiness with newfound friends and a social life.
The individuals she interacts with are responsible for her transformations. In the final scene, Miss. Ruddock dons a tracksuit instead of formal attire and adopts slang language that is distinct from her previous use of Standard English. "They have vocabulary for all sorts of things I never knew existed, and occasionally I even resort to cursing myself, albeit only as necessary," she observes.
Initially, she complained about people smoking near the church, but now she finds it ironic that she is also smoking occasionally. She says, "They've got me smoking now and again as well, but I will never be a full-time smoker."
In summary, Bennett's dramatic monologue delivers various societal messages. It serves as a reminder that mistreating or excluding elderly individuals is unacceptable and that they hold significant value in our society. While the younger generation represents the future, it is equally important to
recognize and honor older individuals in the present. Negatively judging Miss. Ruddock ultimately results in failure for both her and society as a whole, although she cannot be solely blamed for becoming who she is.
Miss. Ruddock's sense of being alone and disconnected is worsened by the loss of her mother. This is a widespread phenomenon where rejection leads to increased isolation from others.
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