Dramatic Monologue Talking Heads Essay Example

Dramatic Monologue Talking Heads Essay In reading Alan Bennetts selection of monologues I have analysed each character used. Having studied them closely I have gained respect for each character; in dealing with their myriad of individual, and sometimes shared, problems they each have still managed to live, what is to them if no-one else, full and relatively normal lives. But I have also developed feelings of sympathy towards one character in particular. With another I have developed an overwhelming lack of compassion. Bennett describes the character in A Chip in the Sugar, a middle-aged man called Graham Whittaker, quite guardedly at first. The way that Bennett imparts information to his readers is very sporadic. In doing this he tends to deceive us a little, letting our own imaginations run wild about the truth behind the character, their real persona. This can make it difficult to trust the opinions, tone and actual basis of the monologue. We will write a custom essay sample on Dramatic Monologue Talking Heads specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Dramatic Monologue Talking Heads specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Dramatic Monologue Talking Heads specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Graham Whittaker is an unreliable narrator. He relates conversations had between his mother, her friend Mr Turnbull and himself with a rather self-pitying slant. He makes out that he was ignored and ridiculed by Mr Turnbull and his mother, who at the beginning of the monologue says how much Graham means to her. Graham, I think the world of you. This could also be deceiving however, due to the fact that we are not given all of the information about Graham from the start. My lack of compassion for Graham Whittaker stems from his relationship with his mother. Although, as we find out in the monologue later, Graham is obviously mentally ill, he leads us to believe that his mother is completely reliant on him for most tasks. they slipped her mind, so the rest of the operation devolved on me. Why does he do this? It is obvious as her relationship develops with Mr Turnbull that Mrs Whittaker isnt as dependent on Graham as he would like us to believe. In my opinion Bennett is suggesting that this is what Graham wants us to believe. If we accept that Mrs Whittaker needs Graham, then that gives him a purpose. He is not just a middle-aged man still living with his mother; he is someone that is needed. Without him his mother may come to some harm. It is this attitude that annoys me about Graham. Due to his fear of uselessness he is holding onto his mother and, in effect, holding her back from her life. What right does he have to do that? Throughout the sketch Bennett tells us that Graham needs a stable environment. I agree with this and can empathise with Grahams uncertainty after his mother meets Mr Turnbull, but this still does not negate the fact that Mrs Whittaker has a life too. As in all of his sketches, Bennetts structure of writing can be very misleading. We are informed of important information right at the end of the story, and told seemingly pointless material in the beginning. What is most disappointing about Graham is the appearance of happiness when he starts to find out that Mr Turnbull isnt all he says he is. Is this because he wants to feel needed/necessary to his mother? Or is it fear? Fear of going back to the hostel surrounded by people that he doesnt understand, I sometimes feel a bit out of it as Ive never had any particular problems, or is it something darker? Bennett hints at this at the end of the sketch when he writes of Grahams seeming indifference to his mothers pain. The structure of the last couple of paragraphs is a defiant tone, followed by relief from Graham. For his mother it is heartbreak followed by reluctant acceptance. All in all, a heart-wrenching finale for Mrs Whittaker without any support from her selfish, unstable son. After reading A cream cracker under the settee I felt so much sympathy for the character Doris. Bennetts telling of her plight gave me an insight into her pain and loneliness and elicited a feeling of terror. From the beginning we are given a view of Doris that is of a very proud and hardened old woman. But the clinch of the story is that Doris is alone. She has no friends, no relatives (that she mentions), she is childless and has recently been widowed. To top it all off, the Social Services are threatening to take away her home and put her into Stafford House, to all accounts a home for the elderly. Doris has recently taken a fall whilst dusting a wedding photograph of her and her husband. She wasnt supposed to dust. The way that Bennett tells us this elicits yet more sympathy from me. Imagine not being able to do something you wanted to do in your own home. Granted it was obviously with the best intentions and as it turns out it would have been best for our character but when you are slightly obsessive with regards to cleaning, like Doris When people were clean and the streets were clean and it was all clean, surely youre entitled to dust in your own home? The most terrifying and saddening part of this tale is simply that Doris decides to give up. You can see that from her point of view being dictated to like a child is not what she wants for the last years of her life. It seems to me that Bennett wants us to experience what Doris is feeling. The loss of her husband, the emptiness and loneliness that engulfs her, the constant threat of losing her home, the loss of her child (in her mind it was a child, despite what the midwife said) and the unfailing pride that ultimately is going to end her life. Bennett leads us up to the very end of the sketch letting us believe that Doris will in fact get help. He introduces a couple of possible saviours, either coming into the garden or up to the front door and finally a friendly policeman. As Doris sits by the front door, slowly giving in to the pain in her legs and, I expect, by this time further pain throughout her body from sitting on the floor for so long, I felt so much compassion for her and yet also a little happiness would she be saved? Or would she be allowed to rest with her husband? As the sketch comes to a close the policeman comes to the door and asks Doris if she is ok. Being the proud lady she is she refuses to admit that she needs help. No, Im all right. As he walks back up the path we finally see what Bennett wanted us to see. That sometimes it is okay to be alone in the dark, because to let go and drift away to that feared, unknown place, ultimately you wont be alone anymore. I feel sympathy for Doris because she was alone. When she chose to die, there was no-one there to be with her, or talk to her. All she had was memories of her husband and the life they led together. The only person who would even know she was gone would be her Social Services appointed cleaner. Its done with now.

Biomedical Ethics Essay Example

Biomedical Ethics Essay Example Biomedical Ethics Essay Biomedical Ethics Essay Alan Goldman’s piece. A Refutation of Medical Paternalism’ . contains an statement for why medical paternalism is incorrect. Goldman argues from the thought of The Relativity of Value. ’ Explain this peculiar statement and demo how it is an statement against medical paternalism ( be certainly to first specify what medical paternalism is ) . Do you believe this statement is right? Why or why non? In biomedical moralss. the construct of patient liberty versus is a immense consideration. This liberty is frequently contrasted with what is called medical paternalism. Medical paternalism refers to doctors moving in respects to what they feel is best for the patient without much respect to the patient’s true wants. It is the intercession of an individual’s right of action justified by grounds mentioning to the public assistance and/or involvement of that person. While medical paternalism may be seen as positive. many refute it. In Goldman’s paper. A Refutation of Medical Paternalism. he talks about why medical paternalism is incorrect. Goldman refutes medical paternalism by presenting assorted statements that support his instance. One facet of his statement lies in the undermentioned claim sing the relativity of values: The cardinal faulty premiss in the statement for paternalistic function distinction for physicians is that which assumes that wellness or drawn-out life must take absolute precedence in the patient’s value orderings ( 67 ) . Goldman states that in world. persons do non systematically move in order to minimise loss of life although the long-run penchant is to populate long. If persons did prioritise minimal loss of life invariably. all attempts would be purely directed towards health-related countries. This is non the instance. for to realize or continue those values that give significance to life is worth the hazard of life itself ( 68 ) . Therefore. Goldman states that it is unlogical for a physician to find what is best for the patient when such physician can non talk for what the patientâ €™s set of values and precedences. While a physician believes wellness is figure one in precedence. the person may non ever hold wellness as figure one at all times. The 2nd facet to Goldman’s statement is centered on the value of self-government. He argues that. as stated before. a physician can non truly cognize the true involvements of his patient. and at times. the patient may or may non even cognize his or her ain involvements. Because of this uncertainness. the physician is less likely than the patient to do the right determination. We value the exercising of free pick itself in personally of import determinations. no affair what the effects of those determinations upon other satisfactions ( 70 ) . When picks are of import to our lives. we like to cognize we have the ability to hold some control over them. When a physician holds the reigns of a patient’s good being without the patient’s say. it is difficult to state that the determination made is just. I personally concur with Goldman and th e statements he presents. I can see both sides to the statement ; I can see why medical paternalism can be good in some instances. but I can see why overall it is a basic intervening of an individual’s liberty. In the defence of medical paternalism. one can reason that it is expected of the medical practician to make what is best for his or her patient. However. as Goldman states. what does the practician know of what is best for a patient? For illustration. a patient may be in demand for a blood transfusion. Yet if the patient happens to be a follower of the Jehovah’s Witness. the physician can’t perchance coerce the patient to take the transfusion. for it straight goes against the patient’s beliefs. I believe that although physicians may medically hold an thought as to what is best for an person. what is of import is for the person to follow. for it is his or her organic structure that is being affected.

Current topic III Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Current topic III - Essay Example se they are aware of the expectations and needs of different groups in the society on health care provision services (World Health Organization, 2012). This knowledge is derived from closely interacting and communicating with patients, their family members, doctors and other health care stakeholders. By making their contributions on the needs of different groups, nurses can ensure that health policies that exist reflect the diverse nature of the population. Nurses can make a difference to health policies by highlighting the changing disease patterns, and by seeking information from the patients on their medical treatment preferences. 100 powerful women in the world for 2012- slide (in this section). Find a woman that you admire and write how come she is an inspiration of hope for you? What leadership traits do you see in her? Do you have those traits also? I admire the IBM President and CEO Virginia Rometty. Mrs Rometty is a force to reckon with because of 30 years skills and experience at the company. She is the first female CEO of the company. She has also established and is implementing a business strategy at the company that is set to increase the revenue generated by the company by approximately $ 20 million. Rometty is resilient and hardworking; very admirable qualities. She began her career at the company as a systems engineer, went on to be in charge of global sales then CEO and president. I have similar qualities as her because I am hardworking and resilient. I believe that I am creative and innovative since I am committed to serving the society in all my capacity. In my opinion, Michelle Obama is a better role model. Mrs. Obama has been able to win public support through her wise speeches to the public. The current First lady reflects a positive image due to her confidence, firm and seemingly caring nature. Michelle Obama is very determined to raise awareness on obesity and curb its effect on a large population of American nationals (Forbes, 2012).