A bed among the Lentils

From the opening stage directions it describes Susan as 'thin and nervous' this connotates the impression that she is frail and vulnerable, perhaps from prior experiences we may learn in the monologue, it could also highlight that she is ageing or ill healthed. The added 'and probably smokes' is indefinite which could underline that she always seems stressed or weighed down with worry and needs an aid to help her relax. Another part of the opening stage directions tells us she is in an 'upright chair' which could repeat or stress that she is unable to relax and be comfortable.

Susan speaks with clear sarcasm and bitterness, this reflects her attitude to being the vicar's wife. The bitterness highlights her sour attitude to attending church every time "why is the vicars wife expected to go to church at all" shows this. She also dislikes how people assume she believes in God just because she fits the stereotype. Her sullen attitude could reveal that is of an older age as she sick of constantly living by what is expected of her. However the monologue shows she is of a higher social class as she uses complex language showing she is well-educated and a she speaks with standard English dialect and accent.

To make the monologue seem like spontaneous speech Bennett has used a slightly informal tone with sarcasm "I'm glad I wasn't married to Jesus" could show a quick after-thought that is just spontaneously announced in a short sentence. Also the monologue includes a lot of long sentences where the text flows like normal conversation as you would naturally speak, however there are also parts where she is thinking where there are more pauses as someone typically would whilst in thought "But no. Not a word. The subject's never discussed." The repetitiveness is additionally an aspect of spontaneous speech as it isn't thought over as if they are going over what they are thinking out loud.