Death and Decay
The 1960's was mostly a time of change in many places throughout the world, including where the book was set - in Melbourne, Australia. Based on new media and governmental control, the social fabric of society began to be weaved differently, with a more violent and instant-gratification aspect fulfilling many needs and wants of working-class communities. Once a symbol of prosperity, cities became a collection place for people addicted to alcohol and drugs. Once a place for happy families, women and children alike are now abused by men who deem themselves superior. The main character of the story collection, Michael, has to live through all of this.
Violence
As described above, cities were once a place for nice families to live with one another, and every once and a while a criminal could be found. However, in the time that Michael is growing up in, cities are full of violence. The closest Michael gets to this violence is in his own home - his father, addicted to alcohol, abuses his day after day in and out of influence. The book explores many of the harsh realities that scarred the youthful generation of Melbourne for life.
Women's Rights
Michael's mother still lives with him in the same house as his father, but has to go through the same kind of abuse that Michael does. Michael's mother simply wants a better life for her son, but the man in her life is preventing her from doing that. The city is portrayed as a working-class community, where most of the women stay home and the men go to work. Because of this, women fear everyday that their husbands will come home, claiming that their abuse is simply a way to vent their anger from a day's work.
