Malcolm Muggeridge

Malcolm Muggeridge was a real-life intellectual who made frequent appearances on British TV in the 1980s. Adrian writes to him, asking him for advice on being an intellectual but he doesn't respond

The BBC

BBC stands for the British Broadcasting Corporation, roughly equivalent to NPR in the United States. Adrian frequently submits his poems and prose to the BBC and mistakes the encouragement of John Tydeman, an editor, for an actual commission to submit more of his work.

Betting Shop

Bets are placed on horse and dog races at the betting shop. Adrian sees his mother and Mr. Lucas coming out of a betting shop, which suggests that their relationship is one based on superficial pleasures such as gambling and having a good time.

Women's Refuge

After she leaves her husband, Mrs. Lucas moves into a women's refuge where women like herself with no financial support...