Books Quote by Alan Bennett
““Archbishop. Why do I never read the lesson?” “I beg your pardon, ma’am?” “In church. Everybody else gets to read and one never does. It’s not laid down, is it? It’s not off-limits?” “Not that I’m aware, ma’am.” “Good. Well in that case I’m going to start. Leviticus, here I come. Goodnight.” The archbishop shook his head and went back to Strictly Come Dancing.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Uncommon Man, 2005
A humorous dialogue highlighting the arbitrary rules of participation in religious settings and the desire to break them.
In simple terms: Questioning why some people are excluded from reading lessons in church.
Key Takeaway
Consider challenging unnecessary restrictions.
Themes
humor
religion
authority
participation
Mood
playful
ironic
Type
anecdotal
satirical
When to use this quote
- church services
- group meetings
- public speaking
- activism
Key Concepts
social norms
institutional rules
individual agency
Questions to Reflect On
- What rules feel arbitrary in your community?
- How can you respectfully challenge them?
A Different Perspective
May overlook deeper reasons for tradition.
