Homelessness in Fiction
© compiled by Bea Sheftel
The homeless are portrayed often as victims, but also as amateur detectives. It is interesting that the novels present some homeless characters, particularly men, as intelligent, thoughtful people. The psychology behind the thinking is taken from the reality of the streets.
The homeless college professor who drank himself out of a home when his wife died, and the homeless lawyer who lost his practice in a malpractice suite, are all fuel for characters in mystery novels.
Ironically, these men, often alcoholics, don't consider themselves homeless. This reflects the real image of the educated homeless person. They know they have no home in the traditional sense, but their pride prevents them from accepting the truth. When they have money they may rent a room in a flop house or cheap motel. So they don't feel they are homeless. They have chosen the simplicity of living on the street almost as if it is a noble venture.
To boost their pride, the educated homeless will volunteer at the shelter. They may teach a literacy class,for instance. And they pride themselves on their cleanliness so that whenever they get a chance to shower at a shelter, they do. Their clothes may be wrinkled, but clean. They don't push shopping carts or carry garbage bags with their possessions in them. They use cheap storage areas such as in bus terminals.
So these very real people have become models for characters in mystery novels. One of the reasons is that they can come and go as they please and not answer to any one. It is wrong to think they have no money. They have social security and sometimes pension checks for their funds. The novelist can use these characters as under cover operatives. They are, after all, the unseen.
The educated homeless are a subculture existing on their own terms and utlizing the social services when they choose. It isn't a way I'd choose to live, but it is free of the pressures we all have in our lives.
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