The Uncommon Reader

One of the most critical thematic elements of The Uncommon Reader is the way that Bennett explores how a monarch operates according to duty rather than desire. Although this novella focuses specifically on the English monarchy, this idea could apply to political contexts across the globe.

The protagonist of The Uncommon Reader is the Queen of England, whose upbringing has bred her into a person with “no preferences” (6), operating with “pleasure […] always […] second to duty” (30). The Queen is steadfast in her belief that it is only her role to complete her queenly duties: greeting the public, communicating politely with other politicians, and managing the image of the royal family’s interests and goals. The Queen’s commitment to her duties is only threatened by her new interest in reading. Early on, she notes that “if she could feel she had a duty to read then she could set about it with a clear conscience” (30). For the Queen, duty should come second to her pleasure; since reading is not her duty, she doesn’t feel she can truly partake in this private activity with a clear conscience. Yet over time, as the Queen immerses herself in the world of literature, she loses this self-doubt and begins to think of her role in the world differently.