Stone Cold Daily Routine Orders 1-5

1. Stone ColdDaily Routine Orders 1-5 By: Robert Swindells

2. Learning Objectives • You will learn about the major themes that are covered in this novel: Survivaland Class and Social Structure • To understand the main events that have led to the conclusion of the novel: • You will come to learn of the plot developments between Daily Routine 1-5 • You will come across the significance of various important quotes • You will also have to complete the following tasks: • Write a letter from the perspective of the Nurse on the situation that has unfolded • Test on its significance

3. Introduction • There are 2 plots running at the same time, that of Shelter’s and Link’s • Both characters think that they are victims of misfortune that has befallen upon them • Both of them choose a different name to be referred to • The novel deals with the themes of: A) Survival and B) Class and Social Structure • The novel is written in modern prose and is written in first person

4. Daily Routine Orders 1 • Link, who is the novel’s protagonist introduces himself to the readers as. ‘One of the invisible people.’ (p.1) • Theme: Link discusses the lack of care that society affords to the homeless people • This is an issue which will come to dominate the novel • Link tells the readers of the events that left him with little alternative but to make himself homeless • The happy family life that he had enjoyed until his teenage years was shattered when, ‘Dad ran off with his receptionist • Although this devastates Link, he manages to cope with the loss of his father • He does not dwell on the reasons for his father’s departure, and does not blame him for the events that follow • E.g. That’s not why I ended up like this • His mother has then fallen in love with a manwhom he hates called Vince • Vince causes Link’s sister, Carole to move out with her boyfriend • This causes Link to be all alone, as his sister has now gone and his mother has changed

5. Daily Routine Orders 1 (Cont’d) • Link clearly dislikes Vince for the following reasons: • He blames him for having ruined his chances of a normal adolescence • He wants Link to call him, “dad”  He hates that • Vince is not a father figure, and Link vows that even if ‘he was the last guy on Earth […] I wouldn’t call that fat pillock Dad.’ (p.4) • He is offended by comments that he makes about his mother • He changes the behaviour of Link’s mother • He gets into a fire with his sister, Carole causing her to leave • Link watches his family disintegrate before his own eyes • Before long, the verbal abuse that Link suffers at the hands of his abusive step–father is replaced by physical abuse • Link is locked out of the house, and then receives a ‘slapping […] around the head’ on his return • Consequence: Believing that the only option is to leave, Link makes himself homeless

6. Daily Routine Orders 2 • Link talks of how uncomfortable his situation is and of the embarrassment of meeting someone who recognises him, whilst you are begging for money • Quote: ‘You’re going to be at risk every minute, day and night,’ • Significance: Apart from the obvious physical difficulties, Link mentions the other dangers that are very real to those who live on the streets • E.g. 1: There are crazy guys on the street who will knife the homeless • E.g. 2: Some will try to enter into the sleeping bag of the homeless

7. Daily Routine Orders 3 • The readers come to discover the reasons behind Shelter’s anger and resentment: • He has been unfairly discharged from his job at the National Service (Military) for 29 years • Reason: Medical grounds • He believes the state is in on a secret mission of clogging the country with: • Dossers (Homeless) • Junkies (Inactive and overweight citizens) • Drunks (Alcoholics) • This goes against his mission, of wanting to train fit and well-off citizens This as a result leads to his resentment • He believes that the state does not appreciate his hard work and service and wants to destroy the country • As a result, Shelter has a plan of his own: • Foreshadow: “But I can clean up the garbage, can’t I? They can’t stop me doing that, and I will. By golly I will” (Pg. 12) • This tells the reader that he may have something evil and unethical planned • This also builds a sense of suspense amongst the readers

8. Daily Routine Orders 3 (Cont’d) • Link begins to feel depressed, as he knows that he is unemployable in his present state • Although Link returns to his sister’s house for Christmas, it is far from the happy place that it should be • His mother and sister put together to buy him a new sleeping bag as a Christmas present • Link feels increasingly alienated from his family: • Vince keeps calling him a ‘disgrace,’ ‘a scrounger,’ and a ‘lay about’ who ought to be ‘looking for work.’  • Vince refers to him as the ghost of Christmas in front of everyone • No one bothers to defends Link when Vince insults him • On returning to the streets, Link is pestered by a ‘stinky old ciderhead.’ • To get rid of him, Link gives him twenty pence for him to go away

9. Daily Routine Orders 4 • Shelter adopts a cat which he calls Sappho. The cat manages to provide him with: • Reassurance • Possible protection • Shelter believes that the 2 of them would make good company and should be referred to as, “The Invincibles” • Link travels to London and with the money he has left, he books into a B&B • They required: A) A Suit working Manand B) Rent would be negotiable • He is optimistic that the future in London is brighter • Quote: “You ‘can invent your own past and call yourself anything you choose,‘ • Link imagines that he will be able to find work • This is short-lived, as he realizes that he has two weeks to find employment, otherwise he’ll be out on the streets again • His landlord turns out to be: A) Rude and B) Unsympathetic

10. Daily Routine Orders 5 • Shelter trawls the streets of London in order to go ahead with his plan by picking up ‘recruits.’ • He tells them that he ‘runs a hostel on Plender Street.’ • Quote: ‘Part of my preparation […] Brilliant touch.’ he boasts • Significance: Shelter seems pleased that he has little difficulty in persuading these desperate homeless people to accompany him back to his lodgings • The real danger that Shelter poses is revealed when: • He informs the readers that he has killed a dosser • E.g.: ’I slipped up behind him and put him out of his misery.’  • He has a lack of remorse for the killing • He speaks as if he has done the stranger a favour by putting him out of his misery • E.g.: ‘Cruel? I don’t think so. He’s neither cold nor hungry now,’ he tells us • He justifies the murder by claiming ‘there’s one less dosser to clutter up the place.’ • This is his ultimate mission

11. Daily Routine Orders 5 (Cont’d) • Link’s landlord comes to collect the rent 3 days early. As a result, he tells him that: • Link cannot afford to pay at the moment • He is waiting to by financially assisted by the DSS • He’s been looking for work • He is quiet and has kept the room tidy • After grabbing Link by the shirt and demanding immediate payment, Link knows that he must move on • Quote: “I’ll have you for this. Sooner or later, one way or another Ill have you.” • Significance: Link believes that fatewill have its way and take its revenge against the landlord • Realising that things have not worked out as he had planned, Link’s dejection is evident as he contemplates his situation • He finds himself, ‘poised at the top of that downward spiral.’ • He finds himself with the homeless kids he would have previously given change to