Yet again in chapter 13 Kingshaw is ignored. What is the author’s purpose in leaving Kingshaw in the dark about Hooper’s fate? What is the significance of Kingshaw’s dwelling on the details of the film on TV? P 204-205 K wakes from his dream – how does he let down his defences here. P 208 in retrospect what does K think of himself?
P208-210 What is it about Fenwick that Kingshaw admires?
P 211 – 212 How do we see that what the adults are expecting of and thinking about their relationship is different? Kingshaw has made two things – how does he feel about each?
P213 Kingshaw meets Fielding. This is the final section of the story. How is Fielding different from Hooper? Howe is Fielding’s environment different? What is it about Fielding’s mother that K prefers or admires? Why is it significant that K has gone to the church? How K and Fielding more like ordinary boys together and what are is the author’s purpose in showing us this contrast? Why do you suppose Kingshaw meets this boy so late in the story?
Chapter 14 What is Fielding’s response to Kingshaw’s telling him about Hooper? How does it make Kingshaw feel? For what things does Kingshaw admire Fielding? Why does Fielding admire Kingshaw? What else might he think of him?
Look at the end of chapter 14 and the beginning of chapter 15 – how does the author make the contrast so evident?
How does Hooper so thoroughly frighten Kingshaw between pages 229 and 232?
What significance does Fielding’s place take on in Kingshaw’s mind? How does his mother make the situation worse? What is the final straw in ch 15? Why does he feel this way about the model?
In chapter 16 we suddenly realise that others have been trapped in this environment too. Why does Mrs K suddenly grasp at this straw of contact from the outside world? Why do we now learn of some of the opther places the Kingshaws have stayed? What phrase that keeps being repeated in this chapter has a much greater significance than its original meaning? Why?
P 256 – Another family outing, this time to the circus, and yet another time when Kingshaw is not told; he hates surprises – no wonder! What things is he afraid of here? What physical reaction does he have after? How does this contrast with Mr Hooper’s response?
P 258 – 268 What blow to his illusions does Kingshaw receive? Why is he so upset? How does Fielding attempt to mediate between the two boys? What does Kingshaw finally realise? What revenge does Kingshaw take? Why does he do it but how does he feel afterwards? Note the weather at the end here.
Ch 17 What treatment does Hooper give him and why does it work so well? What is the final straw? What do you think Kingshaw is going to do now? Why?
Look at the different reactions of the four characters to the events of the day to come. Why suddenly does it all become so obvious? Note Hooper’s reaction. How does Mrs Kingshaw finally demonstrate her total lack of understanding.
Things to think about:
Is Hooper truly evil?
Is Mrs Kingshaw emotionally shallow?
How can parents be that blind?
Is the ending foregone conclusion?
What is Fielding’s purpose in the narrative?