Mr Stink

In these chapters, Mr. Stink enjoys his new home in Chloe family’s garden shed. By showing how Mr. Stink makes himself at home in his meager shelter, the author adds more clues to his backstory, suggesting that he may have grown up in a well-to-do household: “In chalk he’d expertly drawn some old-fashioned portraits on the dark wooden creosoted walls, like the ones you see in museums or old country houses, depicting people from history” (103). These details hint at Mr. Stink’s aristocratic past and contrast sharply with his current circumstances, emphasizing how homelessness can affect people from all walks of life. Walliams subtly uses the shed as a metaphor for Mr. Stink’s adaptability and resilience, turning an inhospitable space into one of dignity and comfort. Mr. Stink’s gratitude to Chloe, combined with his high expectations of food service, add humor to his character. While he thanks Chloe for being “unimaginably kind,” he also has many special requests of her (89). For instance, he asks for an elaborate breakfast: “Sausages. Mushrooms. Grilled tomatoes. Sausages. Baked beans. Sausages. Bread and butter. Brown sauce on the side. Don’t forget the sausages. English breakfast tea. And a glass of orange juice” (140). Mr. Stink’s requests add comedy to the story, as he treats the Crumb household like a hotel, telling the journalist, “I warn you, the service is painfully slow’” (155). This comedy dynamic balances serious themes with lighthearted moments, highlighting The Harmful Stigma Against Poverty. Comedy functions in the text as a form of compassion in that it invites empathy and appreciation for Mr. Stink.

Chloe’s character continues to overcome her shyness and develop a real friendship with Mr. Stink. For instance, she is embarrassed to share her creative writing with him: “Chloe hated reading out loud in class. […] This was even more terrifying. These were her words” (112). With Mr. Stink’s encouragement, Chloe enjoys telling him her story and feels more assured of her talent. This moment illustrates how encouragement and kindness can empower a person to overcome personal insecurities, reinforcing the theme of The Power of Kindness and Generosity. Through her storytelling, Chloe finds her voice, which symbolizes her growing confidence and emotional resilience. Mr. Stink’s kindness toward Chloe changes her self-esteem and helps her decide to continue writing, even though her mother has discouraged her about it, highlighting the reciprocal nature of kindness.

In this section, Walliams further explores the theme of The Harmful Stigma Against Poverty. Mr. Stink is relieved to have somewhere to stay, suggesting that there are no shelters for him in town, and the park bench is his only other option. This saddens Chloe, who tries to improve his circumstances. The absence of systemic support highlights the broader failures of society to address homelessness, framing Chloe’s actions as a critique of the indifference shown by those in power. However, not everyone has Mr. Stink’s best interests at heart. Chloe’s mother, Mrs. Crumb, is upset to learn that Mr. Stink has been living in her shed. Unlike Chloe, she looks down on him because he is unhoused. Mrs. Crumb is horrified when Mr. Stink appears in her house: “Mother’s eyes bulged out of her socket […] she looked at her husband with black fire in her eyes” (151). This description, using hyperbole, reflects Mrs. Crumb’s superficial and judgmental nature, amplifying her discomfort with anything that disrupts her image of perfection. Her attitude only changes when she realizes that befriending Mr. Stink could help her own reputation and political ambitions. Mrs. Crumb is upset to learn that she must share the spotlight with Mr. Stink during her television appearance, revealing her continued disdain for him and desire to exclude him: “It was Mother’s big chance to shine, and she obviously didn’t want it ruined by a malodorous old tramp” (160). This moment foreshadows the exploitative behavior of other politicians later in the story, who similarly use Mr. Stink to improve their public image. The idea of performative kindness emerges here, contrasting with Chloe’s sincere care and highlighting the difference between self-serving acts and genuine compassion.