“The girl reached for her ponytail and yanked a bulldog clip from it, ripping several strands of hair out in the process.”
The story showcases the imbalance of power and rank among students in a school setup which fosters bullying. Both Alex and Marta experience bullying from students who are considered socially or physically ‘superior’ in terms of the social hierarchy in school. The quote illustrates the physical abuse that Marta experiences due to his unique demeanor and virtuous character. The novel explores the violence in society and starts by highlighting a form of violence that is exhibited from early stages in life.
"He’d just managed to catch sight of them standing, and knew that they weren’t stretching their legs.”
As Alex embarks on a rough night with Jockey he delves into the uncharted territory of malice and violence in the streets. Consequently, he gets to understand this world that he has been introduced to by someone who is already accustomed to it. Bone utilizes this to offer vivid imagery of the surroundings through the perspective of the protagonist. In the quotation, Alex notices the body language of street gangs that should be a signal of impending danger for the passerby.
“He racked his brain for a plan or an idea, but the only image that came to him was of a happy face, warm, friendly, offering him biscuits, laughing along with him. Marta.”
The novel juxtaposes the world of violence and that of purity and warmth with the protagonist at the center of it all. Alex is thrown into the sphere of violence as a form of initiation to the cruel world but still grips to his former self. Bone portrays Marta as the virtuous character acting as an anchor to Alex for him not to drift away into malevolence. His night on the cruel streets accentuates his need to embrace the warmth of kindness through Marta.
