To What extent can we trust, Wilfred, in Alan Bennett’s play, Playing Sandwich’s Essay Example

mentions how he wishes he could eat sweets without gaining weight.

While conversing, Wilfred discusses his wife's current task of creating christening dresses for "the twins." Despite some slight bickering over helping family members, they appear like a typical wedded duo engaging in a civil dialogue. Wilfred also mentions his colleague, Mr Kumar, who shares an Indian heritage and works alongside him in the park. Furthermore, Wilfred discloses that his supervisor, Mr Parlane, lacks the appropriate records necessary for him to continue working, including details about his previous job positions.

Mr Parlane gives Wilfred additional opportunities while investigating his background due to his exceptional work ethic. Nonetheless, in the latter part of the production, Wilfred's unpleasant side emerges as he criticizes the condoms found in parks where kids play and the dirty bushes which are full of urine stench and filth.

Wilfred talks about a variety of items, including sheaths, jam rags, a shoe, and tights. He also expresses disgust about the presence of sick and dog muck in the park and how people still engage in sexual activity amongst all the filth. Additionally, it is disclosed that Wilfred's family opposes his role as godparent for the twins during their christening. Following his interaction with a mother and daughter who frequent the park, Wilfred is ultimately left alone with their child.

The writer, Alan Bennett, skillfully manipulates our perception of Wilfred in the play. Initially perceived as a kind and caring soul, Wilfred's true nature is revealed when he commits a dark act and abducts a young girl into the bushes. As a result, he is depicted as sobbing in prison at the play's end.

At

the start, our initial impression of Wilfred forms as the shopkeeper serves him while he purchases liquorice allsorts. The man serving him expresses his desire to be like Wilfred and even calls out to the woman, stating that he wishes to be him. He comments on how Wilfred is always buying sweets but never seems to gain weight.

As I acknowledged my good fortune, Bennett's depiction of Wilfred assures us of his sincerity. By dutifully cleaning the park, Wilfred reinforces our confidence in him and spares children from witnessing unsightly scenes left by others.

During the night after The Woodman's turn out, individuals climb over the wall and engage in sexual activity amidst squalor and foul odors. This behavior even occurs on playground equipment such as slides where young children innocently slide along. The perpetrators leave evidence of their deeds carelessly strewn about. Wilfred is a vehement advocate for the preservation of children's innocence and despises those who shatter it by engaging in such acts near areas where children play. This stance leads the audience to perceive him as a truly good man. Later, at the house following a christening ceremony, Wilfred observes a large, defenseless group of children, among whom Pete's Alsatian roams wildly, causing chaos.

Wilfred's compassionate nature is evident in his concern for children's safety when he comments, "That's irresponsible in my view, a dog that size when there are kiddies about. One snap and they're scarred for life." Despite not knowing much about him, the audience places immense trust in Wilfred because of his caring and kind disposition. However, this trust wavers when it becomes apparent that there is no information available on Wilfred

prior to his employment in the park, as pointed out by Mr. Parlane.

The protagonist mentions that Wakefield has contacted him, however, his records cannot be located. After six months, he decides to reach out to Pontefract. At this point, doubts about Wilfred emerge in the reader's mind. The question arises: what is he hiding? During the christening, some attendees pick up on something peculiar about Wilfred. He is not enthusiastic about attending the event, which adds to the suspicion surrounding him.

'I didn't really want to go to the christening, but Janet insisted so she could see how her frocks looked. It caused confusion for the audience since he was always protective of children in the park. Bennett also prompts readers to think about Wilfred's past by suggesting that Barry and Yvonne shouldn't look down their noses at him, given that Martin has been caught drunk driving twice. This insinuates that Wilfred may have been in prison and makes us further doubt his trustworthiness. Later, when it becomes apparent that there aren't enough godparents, Rosalie, who is seven, suggests Uncle Wilfred be chosen as her godfather.'

Yvonne declined the possibility of Wilfred being a godparent due to his lack of current motorization, which appears to be an obscure reason. This decision reveals that Wilfred's character is not as virtuous as it initially seemed. Furthermore, it elucidates an earlier ominous statement about Little Rosalie's activities in the yard.

After Rosalie stops, she sits on the step and I reward her with a licorice allsort, saying "That deserves a sweet, Rosalie." The audience becomes unnerved as they learn that Wilfred doesn't eat the sweets he buys and instead uses them

to attract children. Yvonne's subsequent reaction only reinforces the audience's suspicions: "Yvonne bursts through the door and gets hold of the kiddy 'I told you, madam.'"

Wilfred is seen clawing the sweet out of his victim's mouth, causing many in the audience to suspect him of being a paedophile. In the end, the trust that was once placed in him is shattered when he makes a disturbing statement. Despite Wilfred's initial reputation as a trustworthy and helpful individual, his true darkness is exposed. The victim's hands are described as "pecking away" at Wilfred's closed fist, conveying a sense of helplessness.

The girl was unable to enter as it was too tight. When told that there was nothing for her and the shop was closed, she disagreed and inserted her pinkie finger between the speaker's fingers, wiggled it, and laughed twice.

She must have known what she was doing, leading me into the bushes. The question of whether Wilfred can be trusted arises as he is depicted as a monster in the story. From my perspective, Wilfred cannot be trusted with most of the information conveyed through his monologue. As it is a monologue, we are compelled to accept Wilfred's viewpoint without question, even though it may be biased.

After discovering that Wilfred is a paedophile, it becomes challenging to distinguish between his lies and the truth. It is uncertain whether his interactions with children are innocent or if he plans to return to his depraved past. In light of this revelation, it's legitimate to question how much we can trust Wilfred.