He casts his quizzical, ever-interested eye o’er all manner of phenomena that strike him as such but which to the unreflecting eye might be but the small change of unexceptional everyday life: Going to the toilet in an office in ‘Escape from a pre-computer office’ is not a usual subject about which to wax lyrical in a poem but Tsuruko, (see Personal Credos above) a faith healer visiting her native Japan, found that the only moment of peace she could snatch from importunities of relatives seeking her attention was in the loo.
The ‘Rat’ calls to mind Rosemary whose sympathies were engaged by the plight of a dying rat in which she interested a knot of passers-by who otherwise might have averted their gaze (See The Theory of this institute).
The Principal of this virtual institute previously had a career in a Think Tank grappling with international relations and felt that if he had a useful part to play in public affairs however small it would be by interaction with those with hands on the levers of power.
This idea lies behind Bradley’s depiction – in his customary immaculate style – of a ‘Demonstrator‘ namely the net result of going on a protest demo might lie more in generating ‘feel-good’ self-esteem than in affecting positive change.