Knives

Many of the characters in these stories, including Socrates, carry knives either for protection or as a weapon with which to commit a crime.

Cans/Bottles

Socrates collects cans and bottles in the early stories, before he gets a job at the Bounty market.

Food

Several of the most important scenes take place during meals.

Buses/ Bus Stops

Aside from walking, the bus is the only transportation Socrates uses. Bus stops provide shelter in several stories.

Whiskey

Some of the most important scenes take place while Socrates is drinking whiskey with others.

Hotplate

Socrates cooks on a hotplate in his two-room apartment, as he has no stove.

Prison

Though seen only in flashbacks, the 27 years Socrates spent in prison has formed much of who he is.

Marvane Street

This is an inner city street about an hour by bus from Watts where Socrates takes Darryl to show...