In the play "A Cream Cracker Under the Sofa" I think Alan Bennett is trying to convey a message about what pensioners are really like and what their thoughts are about modern life. The work was written in 1987 but the concerns of the elderly remain the same. The play centers on a woman named Doris. She is in late adulthood, widowed and lives alone. Doris has no family or friends, the municipality has assigned her a cleaner called Zulema. Zulema comes once a week to clean Doris' house. Doris was once married to a man named Wilfred but he died, she talks to him often or at least about her photo and him. In my personal opinion, I think Doris finds it easier to talk to Wilfred now that he's gone: as they had a very long-term relationship when Wilfred was alive. “We are devastated, Wilfred.” I think Alan Bennett inspires us to sympathize with Doris because she has a sad life, she had a miscarriage, she never had children, her husband died and now she has no family and is extremely lonely. As a result of Wilfred's dyeing, Doris now lives alone. The only person Doris talks to is Zulema (the cleaner). Zulema is often very condescending towards Doris. I think Doris's relationship with Zulema is like a parent-child relationship because Zulema tells Doris what to do and what not to do. Zulema despises Doris and is also quite sharp with her. “For being alone, for not acting sensibly, for not acting like a seventy-five-year-old woman who has a pacemaker and vertigo and doesn't have the common sense she was born with.” Doris doesn't think Zulema does cleaning very well and tries to do the cleaning herself. In my opinion Doris brought loneliness with her...... middle of paper ...... the elderly are so isolated. I feel sorry for Doris because she has no one to talk to and socialize with and she suffers a lot and no one he seems to care about her. Doris's PIES needs were not met. (PIES means physical, intellectual, emotional and social.) Doris's physical needs are not met because she does not exercise and does not live a healthy, active lifestyle. I think if he's in that much pain he could get physical therapy. Doris' intellectual needs are not met because she does nothing to challenge her brain and keep it active. Doris' emotional needs are not met because she cannot reveal her feelings to anyone and as a result she is often upset and alone. Doris's social needs are not met because she has no friends, family and no one else to talk to except Zulema who treats her badly.