ABSTRACT
The figures and categories of outcast scrutinized in preceding chapters are inextricably bound up with broader perceptions and representations of ‘outcast society’ – a term which embodies an abstract concept as well as ideas of place, people and specific groups and sub-cultures. Within this context, it is instructive to direct a spotlight onto Stretton’s representations of particular sections of outcast society (and within the outcast city), devoting specific attention to the role of overlapping imagery and metaphor. Building on issues already highlighted and encompassing new, interrelated themes, such exploration provides further insights into Stretton’s treatment of class relations, her ongoing critique of authority and social structures, and the complexities of her mission to provide a voice to those on the margins.
