In his collection of monologues, talking heads, Alan Bennett explores the themes of isolation and loneliness through the characters of Doris in ‘a Cream cracker under the Settee’ and Susan in ‘Bed among the Lentils’. The opening stage instructions of ‘a Cream cracker under the Settee’ describes Doris as a woman “in her seventies.
.. sitting slightly awkwardly on a low chair”. This chair is set in the middle of the room which subtly suggests that she feels islanded in her own home; this implies a feeling of isolation from the outside world.As well as being a widow, she has no regular contact with friends or neighbours, so instead of in confiding in other people, she expresses her feelings by talking to a photograph of Wilfred her late husband.
“She looks down at the wedding photo on the floor... We’re cracked, Wilfred. ” This shows that despite her desire to live alone and be independent, she still craves social interaction.
However the only regular contact that she has with others is with her Cleaner, Zulema. Doris views Zulema as a patronising annoyance and even tries to get her fired after finding a cream cracker under the settee.She only puts up with Zulema because she knows that it is her that stands between independence and Stafford House nursing home. Doris values her independence so highly that it leads to her deep feelings of loneliness.
Bennett uses the theme of a changing society to contribute to Doris’s feelings of isolation. Doris belongs to a generation which is no longer compatible with a more liberal society. This is emphasised when she says “I don’t think they’re married, half of them” stating her disapproval.Moreover, Doris describes how she does not know any of her neighbours, this contrasts to the memories she describes of a close knit community. As a result of her unwillingness to “mix” in the past, she does not have anyone to call upon to help her.
This demonstrates how her isolation is causing her to suffer. Doris reminisces about her still born son, in the full knowledge that if he had survived, she would not be subject to such feelings of loneliness. She says that “if it had lived I might have grandchildren now”.This makes Wilfred’s comforting words at the time, “We’re better off .
.. just the two of us” now seem very poignant in his absence. Susan, the Vicar’s wife in ‘Bed among the Lentils’ also experiences loneliness and isolation, however her feelings are sourced from within a marriage and tight knit community, something which Doris does not have. As the Vicar’s wife, Susan is in regular contact with the members of the Parish.
However, she is cynical of their affection and devotion for her husband Geoffrey, accusing them of ‘thinking they love God, but they just love Geoffrey’.Her cynicism separates her from that group of people that she labels ‘the fan club’. Despite being in frequent contact with ‘the fan club’ she is not part of it and feels isolated by that. Susan also questions her own belief in God and doubts her husband’s true faith, saying that he avoids her questioning and that ‘The subject’s never discussed.
” She believes that Geoffrey sees his ministry as “just a job like any other”. Simply a way to “to bring home the bacon”. This further drives her away from an intimate relationship with Geoffrey as they differ on such a fundamental issue.This causes her to feel isolated and is the most probable reason why she searches for satisfaction from Mr Ramesh outside of her Marriage.
Susan portrays an element of desperation in her search to distract herself from her loneliness but seems overwhelmed by Ramesh, describing him as “slim, flawless... with wonderful legs”.
This suggests that she is in awe of him. Susan feels like an object for her husband to show off and brag about, “Mr Vicar jumps in with a quick rundown of my accomplishments and an outline of my punishing schedule.Instead of this making Susan feel valued, she feels quite the opposite and her husband’s lack of observation makes her feel lonely and not truly loved in her relationship. She also portrays the sense that she has no say in matters concerning their relationship, but as her only contact excluding Ramesh are the members of parish she feels she can’t seek council about the matter because they all see Geoffrey as the image of perfection. Susan is often left alone in the house when Geoffrey leaves to take a service, funeral or attend a meeting. This leaves Susan with time to ponder her quality of life and the satisfaction it gives her.
Throughout the monologue, she has no contact with anyone yet the introducing directions describe her as “nervous”, which is unusual considering she is always alone. This suggests a deep seated feeling of isolation in her situation, with no outlet to express her true emotions. In conclusion, the themes of isolation and loneliness are central to the progression of the two monologues, “Bed among the Lentils” and “A Cream Cracker under the settee”. Doris and Susan are two women who ponder over missed opportunities to prevent their feelings of isolation.Because of decisions in the past, such as Doris’s decision not to make any attempt to ‘mix’, and Susan’s decision to marry Geoffrey mean that they have to sit on the sideline and watch life pass them by. The difference between the two is that Susan makes an attempt to make her life better by sleeping with Ramesh.
On the other hand, Doris refuses any attempt by anyone to help her; even the policeman is turned away. Also, her body is unable to do things that she used to be able to do, even if her mind is willing. By the end, both women are still in a similar place to where they started; alone and isolated in a fast moving world.
