Mr Stink

In his opening passages, Walliams introduces his two main characters and establishes their burgeoning friendship. By describing how Mr. Stink has earned his nickname, Walliams infuses his passages with comedy for young readers: “Mr. Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it is correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well. He was the stinkiest stinky stinker who ever lived” (9). When Mr. Stink enters the local Starbucks, its customers and staff quickly run away to escape his odor: “People started running towards the door, clutching serviettes to their mouths as makeshift gas masks” (62). This exaggerated humor aims to entertain but also underscores the social barriers that prevent meaningful interactions between Mr. Stink and the townspeople, illustrating the stigma attached to being unhoused and highlighting the theme of The Harmful Stigma Against Poverty. It also in part perpetuates the power dynamics of smell by suggesting, in an olfactory sense, that some people are desirable and others are not.

Mr. Stink also has many quirks which add specificity and nuance to his character. For instance, he has simple taste in food, preparing himself a slimy coffee at Starbucks. He also asks his dog, Duchess, to lick his plates clean for him. Mr. Stink has his own particular ritual before eating. The author describes his “linen napkin,” “antique silver knife,” and “gold-rimmed China plate,” which Chloe feels must be a “clue to his past” (35). These detailed descriptions create a sense of mystery around Mr. Stink’s identity, inviting speculation about his background while subtly hinting at his former life as someone of financial means. This mystery deepens Chloe’s curiosity and sparks her imagination, which enhances her artistic personality.

Comedy aside, Walliams paints Mr. Stink as a caring and insightful person. By showing his curiosity and concern for Chloe, he presents Mr. Stink as a good person who wants to help Chloe with her family problems. Mr. Stink tells Chloe that “the wisdom some people have […] cuts right through you like a knife through butter” (37). This metaphor emphasizes Mr. Stink’s perceptiveness and positions him as a figure of emotional and intellectual depth, despite the societal prejudices against him. His wisdom also serves as a counterpoint to the superficial attitudes of the other townspeople, particularly Chloe’s mother, highlighting the complexity of the Individual Experiences of Unhoused People.

Like Mr. Stink, Chloe is also motivated by compassion. Unlike most of the townspeople, Chloe feels guilty walking by Mr. Stink every day without acknowledging or helping him. Chloe’s decision to speak to Mr. Stink, and to fulfill his wishes of having sausages, demonstrate her sensitivity. Chloe agrees with the shopkeeper Raj that it is unkind to ignore unhoused people: “Too many people walk on by and pretend they’re not there” (51). This moment reflects Chloe’s budding awareness of social injustice and her willingness to challenge the indifference taught by her family and reinforced by societal norms. Rather than taking what her mother says at face value, she discusses Mr. Stink with a trusted adult who validates her feelings. Their conversation also highlights the novel’s theme of The Harmful Stigma Against Poverty, as Raj and Chloe exhibit care and consideration.

Mr. Stink and Chloe share another important thing in common: their senses of deep loneliness. Despite their different circumstances, Chloe and Mr. Stink are both socially isolated. While Chloe does not have friends at school and is neglected in her family for being perceived as the less-talented child, Mr. Stink is largely excluded from society because he is unhoused. It is this commonality that most stands out to Chloe, as Mr. Stink’s isolation prompts Chloe to pursue a friendship with him: “He seemed lonely too, not just alone, but lonely in his soul. That made Chloe sad. She knew full well what it was like to feel lonely” (12). By discussing how Mr. Stink is socially ostracized, the text furthers the discussion of the stigma surrounding social perceptions of people who are unhoused. Through their shared sense of loneliness, it also illustrates how meaningful relationships can bridge societal divides, fostering mutual understanding and healing.

This connects with the story’s theme of The Power of Kindness and Generosity. By overcoming her hesitancy to talk to strangers and ignoring her mother’s teachings about avoiding unhoused people, Chloe is able to initiate a friendship with Mr. Stink. This makes Mr. Stink feel included and respected, and he seems “pleased to be having a proper conversation for once” (68).

In return, Mr. Stink reciprocates her kindness and becomes a trusted confidant about her troubled family life and bullying at school. He tells Chloe, “I just hope I helped a little,” and she admits, “You helped a lot” (68). This exchange highlights the novel’s emphasis on mutual care, showing that generosity is not only about material support but also about emotional validation and companionship. It also sets the stage for Chloe’s character development as she learns to assert herself and challenge the expectations placed on her by her family and peers.