In "Vacant Possession" by Hilary Mantel, a character expresses a deep desire for knowledge and understanding through words. She requests a book of sermons, indicating her thirst for substance and meaning in her life. This reflects her feeling of being intentionally deprived of education or information, which has left her feeling uninformed and frustrated.
The character's plea highlights the importance of language and communication in shaping one's identity and view of the world. Her insistence on needing "more words" suggests a yearning to break free from ignorance and gain insight, emphasizing the transformative power of literature and learning.