What if Queen choose books over her duty: The uncommon reader review

Alan Bennet wrote the “The Uncommon Reader” that s based on fictional story of Queen Elizabeth. Queen is an important figure who was not allowed to have her preferences. She had to fulfil the duty but soon she discovered her passion for reading. Through reading, she was able to find her real self.

At the beginning of the journey, she was not able to understand the implications made in the text. J. R. Ackerley was the among Queen earlier reading. His books were hilarious to the Queen because she did not understand the difficulties of the twisted lives. She had never faced such problems that’s where her remarks were hilarious. J. R. Ackerley’s novel “My Dog Tulip” based on bestiality was not understood by the Queen. Queen was not aware of the sexual associations made in the book. Later, when she understood the insight of the text, she became serious about her life and status. She read his autobiography in which she could not figure out how guards were always available, in actual the author was referring to homosexuality. She was intrigued to know about it and wanted to ask her guards that she found difficult.

Through reading, she reflected on her real self that had been concealed with many official duties primarily. She did not have any personal involvement in political speeches. This could be seen when Queen had to deliver the speech in Westminster. She read out loud "My government will do this ... my government will do that" .She had no intention to say these things. There was no personal contribution. It was not a good life where she had to live with the standards of other people. She had no preferences or hobbies, artistic talents, and not allowed to nurture them also. When Norman was sent away on the demand of the Prime Minister, she was not surprised by it .Every time she builds interest in something, it was removed from her life. This was the life led for others. This kind of life was not led but just spent. Whenever she tried to gain something of authority, command, or area of operation where she did not have the role of performer, she was denied there. Soon she started living with her real self. We can see through the event of the Christmas broadcast where the prime minister wanted queen to speak about the state of the world, but she chose to read the poetry.

She enjoyed the thought of being ordinary and common because it gave her the liability to be herself. Alice Munro is a living legend and noble prize winner. Queen loved her writing and took a deep interest in Alice’s books. Alice talked about everyday ordinary lives and Queen also craves ordinariness. Queen was always known among people. It was sad that she could not have her own private life. Alice Munro exposed her to the ordinary lives and struggles of normal people.

Reading bridges, the gap between the queen and her subjects. She started realizing the human conditions of poor people. Jane Astern had reflected upon the social distinctions which the queen could never understand due to her status. Queen had never experienced the problems of class difference because she was always privileged. Jane's characters seemed ants to the Queen where they were judging each other. Jane had uniquely presented each character, but Queen could not distinguish between the characters, they all seemed to be the same. Individuality did not matter to the queen; she saw the people collectively. Now, Queen observes the minute details and appreciate the people around her. She understands human conditions in a better way like understanding the situation of maid.

Charles Dicken wrote about the inequality existing in society due to the unequal distribution of wealth. Where the rich enjoy being privileged and the poor had to live in poverty. He depicted the lower class in his work. The queen was able to know about the life and struggles of the working and lower class. Through Charles Dickens, she came across the struggles the lower-class face in daily lives and then when she develops empathy for the poor. Before reading, she did not realize that there was poverty in her own country. Poverty spread over a large population. She had been briefed about it but never read about human conditions.

She could now laugh at the jokes that she previously did not notice in the books and read with more pleasure and ease. She had lost the sense of entitlement that she only enjoyed from the virtue of being a queen. She believed that as an individual, she had not served as a purpose, it was only her status that was serving a purpose. She was losing her arrogance self and understanding the pain of the common people.

She would only exist in the memories because she had been of no service. Then she decided to write and took it as a duty. She wanted to write through which normal people could connect. Not about the politics and what was happening in her life, something which was thoughtful, analytical, and reflective. She abrogated the throne for writing and getting it published. Through her writing, she wanted to create awareness about real issues of life. How can she help others because she had the authority?

There are many impediments in life that would take you back but stand again and move on. Philip influenced the Queen in strong and positive ways through that queen strengthened her passion for reading. She carried on reading and did not stop this journey. He gave hope to the Queen that if she would try, she could pursue her passion for reading and then writing. Queen started reading after fifty and many impediments such as her duty and government came in her way. In the end, she was successful in discovering her true self. Through the interest in English literature, she understood that she had to earn the entitlement. Earn entitlement by fulfilling her duty of writing and getting it published.