How Far Do You Agree That Hooper Is Entirely to Blame for Kingshaw's Suicide?
"How far do you agree with the idea that Hooper is entirely responsible for Kingshaw's suicide?"
“I’m the king of the Castle” is a dark novel, written by Susan Hill. The novel is based on two boys; Charles Kingshaw and Edmund Hooper, and their experience of psychological bullying and power. Due to the lack of love, isolation, frustration and confusion; all these feelings from Kingshaw were responsible for his suicide. I do not think that Hooper is entirely responsible for Kingshaw's death at all. In this novel, Kingshaw is presented as a very weak character. He is always bullied and targeted, he is very vulnerable, easily lead and just worries too much. With this type of personality, it is hard to fit in or get along with the people around you. For example, with Fenwick, he is trying to interact with him, but it is awkward and Fenwick just tells him to "shut up". Kingshaw was too scared to be involved in anything, too scared to make friends, which lead him into being the easiest victim for any bully. There are many people who I believe are responsible for Kingshaw's suicide. All of them make Kingshaw feel unwanted in their own way, whether they meant to or not. His mother Mrs Helena Kingshaw, is doing all she can to help raise her son and do what she thinks is best for his future. She works in the household in hopes of marrying Mr Hooper. Because of her wish for a fairy tale family; she forces Kingshaw to get along with Hooper like brothers do, not understanding or considering Kingshaw’s feelings. This could have been a major factor in why Kingshaw committed suicide, because his only relative who he can communicate with, did not, or wouldn’t try to understand him. Helena Kingshaw was trying very hard to get the boys to settle down into this family lifestyle, yet she does not understand what is happening between them. Her and Mr Hooper, are too caught up in their own problems, worrying about them until they do not even realise the situation between them.
“I’m the king of the Castle” is a dark novel, written by Susan Hill. The novel is based on two boys; Charles Kingshaw and Edmund Hooper, and their experience of psychological bullying and power. Due to the lack of love, isolation, frustration and confusion; all these feelings from Kingshaw were responsible for his suicide. I do not think that Hooper is entirely responsible for Kingshaw's death at all. In this novel, Kingshaw is presented as a very weak character. He is always bullied and targeted, he is very vulnerable, easily lead and just worries too much. With this type of personality, it is hard to fit in or get along with the people around you. For example, with Fenwick, he is trying to interact with him, but it is awkward and Fenwick just tells him to "shut up". Kingshaw was too scared to be involved in anything, too scared to make friends, which lead him into being the easiest victim for any bully. There are many people who I believe are responsible for Kingshaw's suicide. All of them make Kingshaw feel unwanted in their own way, whether they meant to or not. His mother Mrs Helena Kingshaw, is doing all she can to help raise her son and do what she thinks is best for his future. She works in the household in hopes of marrying Mr Hooper. Because of her wish for a fairy tale family; she forces Kingshaw to get along with Hooper like brothers do, not understanding or considering Kingshaw’s feelings. This could have been a major factor in why Kingshaw committed suicide, because his only relative who he can communicate with, did not, or wouldn’t try to understand him. Helena Kingshaw was trying very hard to get the boys to settle down into this family lifestyle, yet she does not understand what is happening between them. Her and Mr Hooper, are too caught up in their own problems, worrying about them until they do not even realise the situation between them.