Stone Cold: Homelessness, Violence, and Friendship in London
The novel "Stone Cold" explores the themes of homelessness, public indifference, violence, friendship, loss, and the contrast between appearance and reality. The key incident involves a chilling encounter on the streets of London that leads to tragedy. The protagonist Link's unhappy home life and struggles on the streets are vividly depicted, along with the disturbing presence of Shelter, a character with sinister intentions. As the story unfolds, the dark realities of life for the homeless and the dangers they face are brought to light.
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Presentation Transcript
THEMES Homelessness Public indifference to the problem of homelessness Violence Friendship Loss Appearance v reality
KEY INCIDENT/TURNING POINT The turning point in the novel occurs when the two separate storylines interlock. This happens when Shelter is approached for money by Link and Ginger on the streets of London. Shelter thinks that Link and Ginger are laughing at him, which causes him to target them as his next homeless victims. This leads to Ginger being murdered by Shelter and almost results in Shelter killing Link at the end of the novel.
LINKS UNHAPPY HOME LIFE Dad ran off with a receptionist in 1991. On becoming homeless Vincent s to blame for that. Vince started on at me about living off his money. One night when I d been out with my mates he locked me out of the house. Vince started slapping head. I guess Mum s scared of him because she didn t stick up for me, so I left. me around the
LINKS LIFE ON THE STREETS There are guys so desperate or crazy, they ll knife you or batter your head in for your sleeping-bag and the coppers you ve got in your pocket. Nobody gives a damn. You re just another dosser, and one dosser more or less makes no difference. Homeless Liverpudlian who tries to steal Link s watch Gizzit, if you don t want your face smashed in.
LINKS LIFE ON THE STREETS On his and Ginger s unsuccessful attempts to encourage members of the public to give them money He might as well have put EVIL, SHIFTLESS BABY-KICKER, AFTER YOUR DOSH for all the good it did us.
SHELTER There s a plot it s been hatching a long time now to undermine the country by clogging it up with dossers and junkies and drunks. Some of the top politicians are in it, and civil servants and social workers and even the church. I can t turn garbage into men anymore, but I clean up the garbage, can t I?
SHELTER A man who keeps a cat can t possibly mean anyone any harm, can he? On his first victim Nobody wanted him, so nobody will miss him, and there s one less dosser to clutter up the place. I m not a murderer at all I m a soldier out of uniform, killing for his country.
SHELTER After meeting Link and Ginger for the first time I hope for their sakes they manage to retain that sense of humour because they ll need it quite soon. I never forget a face, and our next meeting amusing for me than for them. will prove far more After spotting Link and Ginger at Camden Lock market I m going to watch my laughing boys, and when they separate we ll see who has the last laugh.
SHELTER Luring Ginger to his death by pretending Link has been in a car accident Not dead. Not when I left. Badly hurt, though. Asking for you. On killing Ginger - He ran straight to the settee, yelling at me to call an ambulance, and I nailed him when he went to lift the blanket.
SHELTER None of my lads is hungry, and they ve got a roof over their heads and a floor as well. I sometimes think I spoil em. He attempts to kill Link at the end of the novel - He was asphyxiation. My mouth yawned as I strove to suck in enough foul air for one last try. killing me, slowly,
GINGERS ADVICE TO LINK On smoking to suppress hunger pangs - Dulls the pain a bit. Don t tell anyone else you ve got nine quid or you won t have it long. On why Link shouldn t expect to receive benefits - They ll say you made yourself homeless cause you left your mum s place voluntarily. On the importance of begging - I wouldn t wait till it runs out, mate. Like I said, some days you ll make sod all. I d start today if I was you.
GAIL Link s first impressions of her - She was the best looking dosser I d ever seen. Asking for Link s help to survive on the streets - I don t know what to do how to live on the street. On her true identity I m sorry, Link. My name s Louise Bain. I m a journalist.
