A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of - Etheses - Queen Margaret ...

While Kevin stands at his kitchen window, calling his dog to notice with him as somebody
else passes by outside, I gain a sense that he has taken upon himself the responsibility of
withdrawing again from the mainstream, of admitting that he has no real place in society.
There are plenty of people who withdraw from the mainstream as a positive lifestyle choice,
but in Kevin‟s situation I see this as a sign involving acceptance of defeat:
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I‟ve never really thought that my brain was strong enough to withstand the pressures
of life, really... (l.3:657)
This is not to say that Kevin is particularly unhappy about his situation. He told me of many
things that he loves about living where he does, including the light nights and the beach
walks in the summer; the seals, the cormorants and the herons; the peace and quiet. Yet I
sense he is a person who has experienced a lot of hurt. Not all people resist the roles given to
them. Some see no other way of being.
...one thing I do is I keep an eye on the clock for television... I‟m a Strictly Come
Dancing fan... and every night at six thirty Strictly Come Dancing Take 2 is on...
(l.3:146ff.)
During the long, dark evenings of the remote north Aberdeenshire winter, Kevin spends a lot
of time watching TV. There will be millions, too, living far more closely to each other who
will spend their time doing exactly the same: alone even while in the presence of those
nearest to them. While roles may differ, escape from alienation is hard.
Mary: Waiting
...when I was waiting for you in the tube station last night, this guy just comes up to
me and says... you‟re at Chalk Farm Tube Station... (l.3:837ff.)
I had arranged to meet Mary and her partner Donald in London. Mary and Donald were in
London on trade union business and I had been delivering a lecture at London Metropolitan
University. It had been planned we should go for a meal together, but it turned out Mary had
forgotten this and had (unexpectedly and very kindly) prepared a meal instead. We met again
the following morning, before Donald headed back to Dundee, and went out for a coffee,
intending this to be the focus of my discussion.
Reflecting on my notes and interview transcripts, however, rather than reflecting principally
upon our visit to the Salvation Army cafe at Haverstock Hill, I want to consider an encounter