Alan Gibbons' interesting novel “The Edge” tells of Chris Kane, a disturbed character. In “The Edge” Chris Kane is the abusive boyfriend of Cathy Mangam. Cathy has a son called Danny, Cathy and Danny escape out of London to The Edge. Chris finds out and find out were they are and chase after them. At the end of the novel Chris is arrested in The Edge.
As the novel opens we are introduced to Chris Kane though the eyes of the main character Danny. Gibbons introduced Chris as a violent character. “The ringing impact of a balled fist, the thud of a boot in the ribs. He or mum...cowering under the blows...the hard rain of fear.” This shows that Chris is violent by Gibbons suggesting that Chris hit Cathy and Danny hard and sometimes for no reason.…show more content… Chris does not give Cathy or Danny their own money. “Chris always kept tabs on their spending. He gave them pocket money, even Mum” This suggests that Chris is controlling Danny and Cathy with fear therefore Chris wants to keep most of the money for him self so he can indulge himself when ever he wants while Cathy and Danny have to live off the scraps.”There's an edge about the man, a fierceness you don't want to argue with.” This shows that Chris is ferocious when it coming to power he always wants to always be in charge. He is manipulating Danny and Cathy to do what he wants. “He's been manipulating their lives like a puppeteer.” This shows that Chris is mentally abusive and more manipulative than Danny or Cathy…show more content… Chris uses words to mentally hurt the one that are closest to him. “For a man like Chris, words are weapons...He can make you turn inside out, do anything...he tortures you with words, slides them in like a scalpel...until you want to scream.” This shows that Chris is precise and proficient with his words and he knows all Danny's psychological weaknesses so he can hit him were it hurts. Chris thinks he should be the only person in Cathy's life. “Love is taking over somebody so completely there is hardly anything left of them.” This underlines that Chris does not understand what the concept of love is and wants to take over Cathy's
