A Treatise On The Elements Of Music In A Series Of Letters To A Lady Essay Example

the audience becomes increasingly intrigued by Miss Ruddock's character traits.

The play is a tragicomedy written in the form of a dramatic monologue. This monologue style enables the audience to gain insights into the protagonist's thoughts and opinions. It also reveals the perceptions others hold about the protagonist. By allowing the audience to eavesdrop on the protagonist's subconscious revelations, the truth emerges without any alteration of conversations or situations experienced.

This contributes to the comedic aspect because Miss Ruddock is completely unaware of her own personality traits and how others perceive her. For instance, when the police visit her to inquire about the offensive letters she composes, she denies any involvement and retorts, "What letters? I don't write letters." The officer responds, "Letters." I remark, "Everyone writes letters. I bet you write letters." He clarifies, "Not like you, love." To which I reply, "Don't love me. You should provide your name and number. I plan to correspond with your superior."

The audience is led to believe that Miss Ruddock is either slow, dim-witted, or unaware of the problems caused by her letter writing. This perception sustains the audience's attention throughout the play as she considers it her 'public' duty. In order to maintain interest in a play with only one character, Alan Bennett has given Miss Ruddock intriguing traits that consistently astonish or even shock the audience.

Miss Ruddock, a lonely woman, spends her abundant spare time writing letters. Initially appearing to be an ordinary woman who occasionally writes letters, as the day progresses, Miss Ruddock's true nature emerges: she is an obsessive individual, potentially suffering from mental illness. This becomes evident when she responds to a

generic card sent by the opticians. However, Miss Ruddock misinterprets it as a personalized card meant only for her and promptly decides to reply, stating, "I thought that is was nice so I took my trusty Platignum and dashed off an answer forthwith."

This suggests that Miss Ruddock is excessively obsessive and that her letter writing may be a way to occupy her time. She holds strong biases and constantly evaluates others based on their possessions and appearance. For instance, when a couple and their child move in across the street from her, she immediately forms an opinion about them saying, "It'll surprise me if they're married. He has a tattoo anyway." It is evident that she judges the couple solely based on their physical appearance, which is unfair considering she only sees them from her bay window.

This text highlights the fact that Miss Ruddock's discriminative and potentially offensive views keep the audience engaged. Furthermore, it emphasizes her inquisitive and nosy nature, as she constantly spies on her neighbors through her bay window. Because she lacks much personal business, she becomes overly curious about everyone else's affairs. Her comment, "Where do they get the money to go out, that's what I'd like to know?" showcases her nosiness and lack of consideration for others' privacy, as well as her tendency to prejudge people without sufficient knowledge about them.

Furthermore, Miss Ruddock exhibits an unwavering stubbornness. She firmly believes in her infallibility and occasionally fails to exhibit normal responses or emotions. For instance, upon learning that the child she had accused of neglect and cruelty had actually succumbed to leukemia, her primary concern seemed to be the erroneousness of

her assessment rather than feeling sorrow for the child. This is contradictory to her previous statement about being unable to tolerate neglect and cruelty happening in her vicinity, highlighting her emotionally detached nature.

Furthermore, she remains oblivious to her reactions and the way they expose her true character to the audience. This aspect creates engagement among the viewers due to the intriguing storyline filled with unexpected and shocking occurrences. Additionally, Alan Bennett employs additional tactics to sustain the audience's interest, such as incorporating dramatic twists into the plot. For instance, when Miss Ruddock believed the child was being mistreated, only to later discover that it had actually died from leukemia.

The text conveys the dramatic nature of Miss Ruddock's tone and expression as she matter-of-factly discloses to the audience what transpires. This further emphasizes Miss Ruddock's perceived cold and uncaring character. This also reinforces the play's genre as a tragicomedy, as the situation demonstrates that Miss Ruddock was incorrect and prioritizes being right rather than caring for the 'kiddy'. Miss Ruddock converses with the audience in an informal manner, as if having a conversation with us.

The text highlights the use of informal language, including idioms and opinions, by the speaker. An example is given where she describes someone as "messing about with the car, one of those little vests on they have now without sleeves." This demonstrates her casual way of speaking while sharing her observations as a stream of thoughts. Furthermore, it reveals her negative view on youth culture, referring to the aforementioned vests as "those little vests." This opinion aligns with her disapproval of societal change, as she rejects fashion changes and considers herself too

superior to be associated with them.

Despite the mistakes she makes, Miss Ruddock uses a formal tone when writing letters or explaining a flashback. This formal tone is perhaps used to showcase her intelligence, although it is evident that she is not as intellectual as she presents herself to be. For instance, she states, 'I was quite satisfied with my spectacles at the present moment I was grateful to them for drawing the matter to my attention and in the event of my noticing any deterioration I would in due course get in touch with them.' This example demonstrates that Miss Ruddock employs a formal tone in her letters, either to highlight her writing skills or simply to be polite.

Moreover, Alan Bennett effectively keeps the audience engaged in the play through various techniques. For instance, one such technique is the use of flashbacks by Miss Ruddock to recount past events. This ensures that the audience is well-informed about what has transpired, and also provides insight into how others perceive her. The inclusion of reported speech adds to the entertainment value of the play, often featuring irony and humor.

Bennett uses pauses between scenes to maintain the audience's interest and allow the impact of her words to resonate. One instance is when Miss Ruddock discovers that the child she suspected of experiencing parental abuse had actually died from leukemia. Miss Ruddock recalls: 'And that's where the kiddie died, last Friday. I said, 'What of? Neglect' She said, 'No. Leukaemia'. Pause.' These pauses heighten the dramatic effect by keeping the audience focused on what will happen next and providing them with a moment to reflect on the recent

events.

Bennett has utilized blackouts as a means of emphasizing change or creating a dramatic effect. For example, in one scene the character states, "Haven't seen it for a week or two... You don't hear it crying now, nothing... Go to black". The use of blackouts serves to highlight the character's concern for the child, provoking the audience to speculate on the child's fate and maintaining their engagement. Additionally, this technique generates tension, further capturing the audience's attention.

Alan Bennett keeps the audience engaged by frequently changing subjects in Miss Ruddock's dialogue. This prevents the play from becoming dull and allows for further development of her character. For example, when she says, "I don't know where to write about doctors. After I'd had my tea I sat in the front room in the dark watching the house," this sudden shift in topic reveals different aspects of her personality. These changes of thought reflect both her present reflections and past memories, as the monologue captures her current thoughts and past experiences.

The use of multiple subjects in the play sustains the audience's interest by giving them more to focus on. This allows them to concentrate harder and prevents them from getting bored with the same tedious subject throughout. The subject that keeps returning is the 'kiddy', indicating that it is constantly on her mind. Another technique employed by Alan Bennett to keep the audience engaged is the harmless nature of Miss Ruddock's letter writing at first. For instance, she writes to the council about a broken step that she believes is a danger to the public.

The above passage suggests that Miss Ruddock used her letter writing as

a means to benefit society, displaying thoughtfulness for the public and indicating her considerate nature prior to encountering trouble. However, it can also be inferred that Miss Ruddock utilized her letters to the government solely for the purpose of highlighting societal problems and flaws, possibly fueled by self-satisfaction. As the play unfolds, Miss Ruddock's letter writing takes a more malicious turn, with the intention of causing resentment and stirring up issues between individuals. An example of this is shown in the line: 'We're asking you because who was it wrote to the chemist saying his wife was a prostitute?'

The text highlights that Miss Ruddock wrote the letter with the intention of creating conflict or due to her biased nature. This ultimately results in her own troubles as she believes she is assisting others, but fails to realize that she is intruding on their affairs and making incorrect assumptions. This shift from harmless letter writing to disruptive and malicious behavior serves as a significant turning point in the play. Furthermore, it can be interpreted as a metaphor representing Miss Ruddock's transformation as the plot unfolds.

The method of sustaining the audience's interest by showcasing the surprising consequences of letter writing is highly successful in 'A Lady of Letters'. The monologue is primarily set in Miss Ruddock's 'barely furnished' house, which allows the audience to focus solely on her. Additionally, the plain and unadorned settings, described as 'simply furnished' in the play's introduction/scene directions, add to the audience's attention and engagement.

The room in which Miss Ruddock resides may also symbolize her mundane and tiresome existence, as evidenced by its emptiness reflecting her solitude. Additionally, there is a "bay

window" present. Miss Ruddock utilizes this window to observe her neighbors on the street, as indicated by her brief "glances in the direction of the window" stated in the stage directions. This action intrigues the audience, as the window could be seen as a symbolic barrier separating Miss Ruddock from the outside world. Alan Bennett's choice of language for Miss Ruddock effectively captivates the audience's interest in the play.

The usage of language in Miss Ruddock's monologue gives insight into her character. As the audience eavesdrops on her thoughts, any changes in her manner or speech indicate whether she is trying to come across as intellectual or is speaking casually. This showcases the versatility of Miss Ruddock's language and keeps the audience engaged as they enjoy her humorous trait. Additionally, Bennett has Miss Ruddock consistently incorporate idioms in her speech throughout the play.

The audience can infer from Miss Ruddock's use of old idioms that she is quite old-fashioned. An example of this is when she talks about dealing with the smokers at the funeral by saying she would "jump on the culprits with both feet." While it is obvious she wouldn't literally do that, this idiom would have been commonly used in conversations many years ago. However, as society has rapidly changed, many of the idioms she uses now seem out-of-date or old.

This emphasizes Miss Ruddock's outdated and traditional personality as she continues to use numerous old-fashioned idioms in her speech, despite being over 40 years old. Additionally, her language varies depending on her mood or situation. When alone at home, discussing her experiences and encounters in public, she adopts a monotonous tone and tends to

employ lengthy sentences. For instance, she states, 'Furthermore, individuals overwhelmed with sorrow do not anticipate encountering grown men loitering in the rhododendron bushes with cigarette butts hanging from their mouths.'

This passage demonstrates the transformation of Miss Ruddock's character. Initially, she is depicted as a dull individual with a mundane existence, attending a funeral for someone she barely knows. However, her demeanor changes significantly when she is incarcerated. She utilizes shorter sentences and adopts a more cheerful tone, presumably due to her eagerness to share all the positive and novel aspects of her life. For instance, she gleefully boasts about her exceptional performance in a secretarial course and Miss Macaulay's acknowledgment of her being the first Grade I student. Additionally, she proudly declares her proficiency in typing, likening it to the swiftness of the wind. This exemplifies her heightened enthusiasm towards life compared to before.

In this passage, it is evident that Miss Ruddock now chooses to employ informal language when speaking. It is likely that she feels more at ease with her current companions, enabling her to dispense with the need for a formal or superior tone. This change may also be attributable to the fact that she no longer composes as many letters as she once did. Overall, Miss Ruddock's use of language effectively captivates the audience throughout the play. Her speech sometimes contains ambiguity, only to be followed by moments of crystalline clarity. The play's conclusion is particularly powerful in maintaining the audience's interest, as Miss Ruddock ultimately finds herself imprisoned for her persistent letter writing, despite having been warned by the authorities and receiving counseling.

The unexpected turn of events unfolds as Miss Ruddock

surprisingly embraces her time in jail and even enjoys it. Alan Bennett strengthens the idea of her finding a better life behind bars by showcasing her acquisition of new skills and successful completion of secretary courses. This suggests that she is now utilizing her time more effectively compared to her previous days of writing malicious letters. Additionally, the audience is caught off guard when Miss Ruddock faces imprisonment for her letter writing escapades, an unforeseen event.

Her incarcerated friend remarks, "Irene, you're quite amusing. You don't seem to mind being in prison." This statement grabs the attention of the audience as it is surprising to contemplate the notion of imprisonment for simply writing letters. It further highlights that Miss Ruddock's letters were incredibly malicious and harmful for her to be incarcerated. The idea of Miss Ruddock forming new friendships and showing empathy is equally shocking to the audience, as she describes, "I share a room with Bridget, who hails from Glasgow. She has had periods of prostitution and unintentionally caused harm to her child while under the influence of alcohol and distressed."

Despite her deceptive appearance, with a bonny little face, it is surprising to discover that she now gets along with everyone, especially considering her past where she hardly knew anyone on her street. She admits, "I'm friends with practically everyone though apart from Bridget." This transformation indicates that she has become a more likable person. Notably, Miss Ruddock has stopped writing letters for herself and instead utilizes her skill to assist her friend in composing a letter to her boyfriend. She states, "and we're trying to put together a letter to her boyfriend." This suggests

that she has evolved into a more selfless individual who performs acts of kindness for others.

The audience remains engaged in the play due to the unexpected change in Miss Ruddock's image and character. This sudden transformation adds interest and makes her more captivating, especially considering she has changed after her time in prison. Despite Alan Bennett's use of dull and boring settings for the monologue, Miss Ruddock's character breathes life into them. For instance, when she experiences a difficult period, the room is depicted as dark, whereas when she is feeling ecstatic, the room becomes bright, as seen when she is in prison.

Furthermore, the brightly colored costume worn by the protagonist in the prison scenes serves to reflect her mood. Despite the emptiness of the setting, her spirited and youthful demeanor contributes to the overall atmosphere and suggests her happiness. Consequently, the setting actively engages the audience throughout the performance. Additionally, during Miss Ruddock's speech, she primarily discusses her future prospects and emphasizes the brightness of it: 'Then finally Stage Three a little job in an office somewhere.

The text highlights the change in Miss Ruddock's outlook on life, emphasizing her newfound optimism and her focus on the future. Previously, she used to extensively narrate every mundane detail of her uneventful and uninteresting past. This deliberate contrast hooks the audience's attention. Additionally, Alan Bennett employs another technique to maintain the audience's interest, presenting an unexpected positive outcome. Miss Ruddock surprisingly finds enjoyment in her imprisonment, stating that it is the first sense of freedom she has experienced in a long time. This plot twist further captivates the audience.

Miss Ruddock's character has undergone a complete transformation –

from a fault-finding recluse to a lively individual capable of understanding and forging connections with others. This transformation is evident in her declaration at the end of the play: 'And I'm so happy.' By saying this, she effectively concludes the play, allowing the audience to comprehend that despite having had freedom within the confines of her house, she was never truly free. Ironically, it is only when she enters prison and lives among numerous women that she experiences genuine happiness and a sense of liberation.

The text suggests that Miss Ruddock's previous behavior was a result of her loneliness, and that all she needed was love and attention to truly be herself - Irene Ruddock, as she preferred to be called before going to prison. This unique and possibly unconventional storyline keeps the audience engaged. Overall, Alan Bennett utilizes various techniques in the play's structure to sustain the audience's interest. In conclusion, through multiple techniques, Alan Bennett effectively captures the attention of the audience in a play featuring only one character.

In his monologue, Alan Bennett effectively uses versatile language and tones to keep the play lively and engage the audience. He also incorporates changes in subject and a varied structure, creating a complex and captivating development of the character. Additionally, dramatic twists, pauses, and blackouts sustain the audience's attention and leave them wanting more. By employing unconventional techniques and a dramatic and ironic storyline, Bennett successfully captivates the audience with the story of a letter writing character leading a simplistic life.

He has used one character as an extended metaphor to portray a generation's perspective on society and culture, effectively conveying its message to the audience. In

my opinion, the play consistently held my attention, despite certain annoying traits of Miss Ruddock. I felt compelled to continue watching, intrigued by what would happen next. I believe that this feeling would have resonated with other viewers as well. Overall, Alan Bennett successfully captivated and maintained the audience's interest in a play featuring only one character.