I am the King of the Castle
Chapter Summaries
CHAPTER 1
The story begins with the arrival of the Hoopers. Joseph Hooper moved into Warings after his father
died, and he inherited the building. Joseph has had a bad relationship with his father and his son.
Edmund Hooper lost his mother years back and that has made him not sensitive to death.
In the house there is a Red Room. It contains a collection of moths by Edmund’s grandfather, which
symbolizes the decay of the Hooper dynasty. Edmund sneaked into this room secretly and fascinates
them. He opens a case containing the largest moth, but it crumbles to dust as soon as he touches it.
CHAPTER 2
The chapter is about the arrival of Mrs Kingshaw and her son Charles Kingshaw. This chapter started
off with a sense of hope. It might just be a kiss goodbye to Edmund Hooper's lonely days. Mr Hooper
was looking forward towards their arrival, so was Mrs Kingshaw. On the other hand, Edmund
Hooper was unhappy about it. He was extremely insecure about his position in his house and he
doesn't want anyone to come here. Hooper had always been alone since the death of his mother.
His father didn't understand him well and he couldn't tell him anything about what he's feeling.
During the arrival of Mrs Kingshaw and Charles Kingshaw, they were warmly welcomed by the very
kind Mr. Hooper but not so welcomed by Edmund Hooper. Kingshaw had a very bad experience
when he first arrived at Warings. He was so badly and cruelly treated by Hooper from the moment
he stepped into the boundaries of Warings, which didn't give him a good feeling about it. They
fought with each other since they first met in the living room downstairs. All that Hooper was trying
to prove is that he is better than Kingshaw and that he has more than Kingshaw ever had. This is too
much a bully act an eleven year old to could ever done. Not only that, Hooper was also trying to
humiliate Kingshaw, to make him feel so horribly bad about himself. At the end of this chapter,
Kingshaw surprised the readers by raising a voice for himself. "So what? I don't have to take orders
from you" "you're just a fool, that's a stupid way to behave".
CHAPTER 3
As an attempt to escape Edmund Hooper’s constant torments, Charles Kingshaw ventured out into
the countryside and walked further and further away from Warings. The ground sloped upwards
slightly and was marked with the tyres of a tractor making the ground very uneven and difficult for
Kingshaw to tread on, but though the unbalanced terrain proved to be troublesome, Kingshaw still
walked on. After a while Kingshaw could see a large corn field and started to head towards it, but
halfway through he could see that the track he had been following was probably made by a small
animal. In the sky there were several crows flying above him, but as one of the crows dived down
into the corn field he suddenly became aware of them all. The crow rose again, circled and dived
down many times getting closer and closer to Kingshaw. Kingshaw began to run through the corn
field and into the next field to escape the crows, but the thick stalks of the corn became increasingly
challenging to push through until he finally fell over onto the coarse grass of the next field. The crow
rose up one last time and disappeared, yet as he got up and began to walk cautiously towards the
house he caught a glimpse of the crow beginning to circle; he burst out in tears and started running
as fast as he could back to Warings and collapsed on the ground at the back of the house. The crow
had soared even higher to keep up with him and as soon as Kingshaw had lain on the ground, it
dived down and landed on his back digging its claws into his skin. Kingshaw got up and ran as soon as
the crow had released its grip and before sprinting through the door, he saw a figure standing in the
upstairs window. It was Hooper. Kingshaw ran into his room whilst Hooper taunted him and dared
him to return to the copse; Kingshaw finally gave in. Hooper, satisfied with himself, then ran upstairs
into the attic and started searching for a stuffed crow. Night came and when Kingshaw woke in the
darkness he could see a figure of a crow and knew immediately that Hooper must have been waiting
outside to hear his screams, yet Kingshaw refused to give Hooper that satisfaction and tried to fall
asleep again but when he comes back from the lavatory in the morning the crow is gone. Hooper
then brings Kingshaw into the red room and locks him in with all the dead moths; Kingshaw tries to
escape but all the windows are locked leaving him in a state of panic. Eventually the adults find him
locked in the red room and he quickly rushes to the bathroom without telling on Hooper and throws
up. The adults believe that Hooper and Kingshaw are becoming good friends and dismiss Kingshaw
being locked in as an accident, but all Kingshaw can think of is going back to his old home and his old
school.
CHAPTER 4
Chapter 4 starts off with Kingshaw discovering an empty room, with not much character which
seems to belong to no one. Kingshaw took over the room, locking and hiding himself inside while he
worked on his Spanish galleon model.
This is the day Hooper goes on a day trip with his father to London. Joseph Hooper attempts to give
Hooper a speech that he must try more to befriend Kingshaw and should try and understand
Kingshaw, since he has no father. Hooper seems uninterested and turns back to his comic where he
continues to concoct more ways of inflicting fear on Kingshaw. At the same time Joseph Hooper
analyses his son, first he's worried by his paleness and unwillingness to go out and play, but is later
convinced Hooper is like any other healthy boy and he is not to blame.
Kingshaw over the past few days attempts to hide a number of objects in the room and make it his
own, for example painting the door brown. One day it’s raining and Kingshaw and Hooper are forced
to play draughts together in the living room, after lunch Kingshaw was bringing two more objects up
to the room to find Hooper waiting. After constant arguing between them Kingshaw finally gives in
and shows Hooper the room. Hooper looks around for a bit touching Kingshaw’s stuff claiming
everything here is his. Later Hooper states he knows Kingshaw is planning to run away and threatens
Kingshaw he’s going to tell on him. Kingshaw knows if he stays he’ll still have to endure Hooper’s
torment or attempt to defend himself, he believes he is unable to do either.
Mr. Hooper and Mrs. Kingshaw are becoming more and more friendly with each other. They’re
totally blinded sighted from what’s going on with their sons and congratulate each other how
everything is going great for everybody right now.
CHAPTER 5
Kingshaw was left in Warings with Mrs. Bowman and Hooper when his mother, Mrs. Kingshaw, left
for London with Mr. Hooper. As soon as Mrs. Kingshaw left for the city with Mr. Hooper, Kingshaw
started his hunt for all the necessary items he believed was required for him to survive (an old
satchel, food, torch, penknife, sticking plaster, pair of socks and a ball of string). Despite the sense of
guilt that is haunting Kingshaw for leaving his mother, he decided to carry on as planned and left
Warings before the break of dawn. Even though, Kingshaw was worried that Hooper or Mrs.
Bowman would acknowledge his absence in time to catch up with him, he felt very much satisfied
and pleased for being able to be alone and unaccompanied by his mother or anyone else, for the
matter of fact in Hang Wood.
CHAPTER 6
When Kingshaw reaches Hang Wood, he looks around and evaluates his surroundings. What
Kingshaw sees, hears and smells are described in deep detail. Much to his surprise, it wasn't as bad
as he had expected. His mood changes and is more jolly than back in Warrings.
Kingshaw then hears a noise when he reaches a darker area of the forest. The denseness of trees
and the gloom of that part of the wood complements Kingshaw's emotions during the time. In the
end, it turns out to be Hooper trailing behind all this time.
Kingshaw goes back to his state of being upset since his tormentor has returned. He tries to convince
Hooper to go home and leave him be, but Hooper being a persistent bully decides not to. Hooper
then starts attacking Kingshaw by saying that Mrs Kingshaw and Kingshaw were only servants to the
Hoopers. Kingshaw does nothing but walks on, making Hooper follow.
Suddenly, they both hear an animal. When Kingshaw finds out it was a deer, and Hooper fails to see
it as it had already run away, Kingshaw learns that Hooper had never seen one before and feels a
sense of dominance over Hooper. Hooper tries to follow the dear, but then get them both lost.
In the end of the chapter, they blame each other, and then the roll of thunder comes...
CHAPTER 7
At the start of chapter 7, Hooper’s vulnerable side is exposed as he gets terribly frightened of the
thunderstorm. His mask of utmost pride and arrogance has crumbled into pieces.
However, instead of preying on this chance at revenge, for all the mocking, blasphemy thrown at
him, Kingshaw instead felt an embarrassed sympathy, for the fear-overwhelmed Hooper, and tries to
comfort him. Although Kingshaw had naively thought his relationship with Hooper would change
after the thunderstorm, his false belief shattered as Hooper continues on his throne of power. Later,
they discover a stream in the forest. When they reach the stream, Hooper goes off into the water
and after a bit of contemplation, Kingshaw does the same. Hooper whines about the coldness after
the swim, so Kingshaw decided to light a fire for warmth as he takes on the responsibility of ensuring
their survival, and the leadership out of the 2 of them. While they were discussing the way out,
realization dawned on them that they might not be in Hang Wood anymore, that they might’ve went
further into the deep forest, where it would be hard to get out. Despite this, Kingshaw still believes
they can get out, and sets out to explore the surrounding area, leaving Hooper by the stream. While
he sets out alone, Kingshaw is then tempted to leave Hooper and walk away, but due to feeling
responsible for the wellbeing of Hooper, he ends up not doing so. When Kingshaw returns, he finds
Hooper lying face down on the stream, head bleeding. Kingshaw struggles hard to get Hooper to dry
ground, and saves him in the end with much effort. Still, at the end of the chapter, Hooper does not
seem to have shown any hints of appreciation for everything Kingshaw had gone through to make
him well.
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
Chapter nine starts off with the answer to Hooper’s worries from the previous chapter. We learn
that people have come for them. However the boys do not know until late next morning. In this
chapter we see a major change in the relationship between Hooper and Kingshaw. They seem to
even care about each other. It has mentioned that Hooper had fallen and due to this Kingshaw has
shown that he wants to take responsibility over Hooper by insisting that Hooper should not help him
find sticks but relax and wait, “It’s not swollen”, “No. I’ll get the sticks”. We couldn’t have imagined
this great change in attitude towards Hooper after how Hooper has treated him. Kingshaw is not the
only one who has changed; Hooper is shown to have dropped his demeaning attitude towards
Kinghaw. ““I’m only giving it crumbs. Anyway, you mind your own business, Kingshaw.” But Hooper
spoke mildly”. The hostility between the two boys has died down significantly. Kingshaw later goes
for a swim when he hears shouts and dog barking. He realises what is happening and wishes that
“they” do not find them. He is afraid of what might happen to the newly found relationship between
him and Hooper, and if it will go back to the same ways as it had been before. However before the
man appears Kingshaw believes and hopes “things had changed. Perhaps everything will be all right.”
They are found after this.
CHAPTER 10
In this chapter, Kingshaw and Hooper have both returned from Hangwood after being found and
Hopper accuses Kingshaw of pushing him into the water which was what caused his forehead cut.
Mrs Kingshaw believes Hooper more than her own son and tells Kingshaw that he should be very
grateful that Mr Hooper is being very nice to them. Mrs Kingshaw wants her arrangement of Mr
Hooper and herself to work out that she avoids listening to Kingshaw’s side of the story. When
Kingshaw is faced with the accusation, he turns violent and Mrs Kingshaw is shocked at his
behaviour because this is not normally how he acts. That night when Mrs Kingshaw comes to
Kingshaw’s room, he tells him to change his attitude and be grateful of how well Mr Hooper is
treating both of them and decides not to listen to Kingshaw’s side of the story, She then also tells
him that there will be some exciting news tomorrow and Kingshaw then realises that his mother will
be marrying his enemy’s father and knows that he will forever be trapped in Warings with the cruel
Hooper.
CHAPTER 11
Kingshaw feels depressed after being told by Mr Hooper at the breakfast table that he will be going
to the same school as Hooper. Frustrated of having to stick with Hooper in school, he runs away
from Warings and hides in a nearby shed. However, the door bangs close to his surprise, locked from
the outside. Kingshaw assumes that Hooper must have locked him in, but he doesn't know for sure
as his captor remains silent. Soon, he is frightened by his own imaginations and vomits on the floor
of the shed.
Kingshaw falls asleep eventually. He has a disturbing nightmare about Punch and Judy, but he is
startled and woken by a scratching sound. It turns out to be Hooper, who provokes him
contemptuously until he cannot bear it anymore and burst into tears. Hooper heads back to Warings
not long after, leaving him trapped in the shed.
In the afternoon, Hooper goes back to the shed and opens the door, telling Kingshaw that he is
awfully late for lunch. At the back of their house in Warings, Hooper lied shamelessly to Kingshaw's
mother that they have been out playing.
Defeated, Kingshaw realises that things are not going to be different after their experience in the
woods. He knows that he will remain under Hooper's control from now on.
CHAPTER 12
Mr Hooper decides they should have a day out at Leydell Castle. Mrs Kingshaw is grateful to him for
this and feels special. Both of the adults are acting as if they are one big happy family but are too
wrapped up in themselves to pay any attention to what the boys are doing.
Kingshaw and Hooper scout around the ruins. After awhile, Kingshaw, who is a confident climber and
soon begins to scale the castle walls. The sense of freedom this gives him is exhilarating. Even back
at his old school, no-one had ever been able to beat him at climbing. Up high, Hooper can never
touch him. Finally, finally, this is something that he will always be better at than Hooper. He sees
Hooper down on the ground, scratching his initials into the stone, and he knows that he has the
upper hand here. He shouts out that he is 'King of the Castle' but even as he says it he knows that
this is only true for as long as they stay here. Like in the woods, his power can only last for so long
before he has to return to the isolated Warings, He can see Hooper is afraid of climbing up, so dares
him to try it. Hooper does, but soon ends up stuck on a ledge and too scared to move. Kingshaw
climbs down to him and tells him to stop being stupid and climb down. Hooper wants him to go first
so he can hold onto him, but this is impossible as the ledge is too narrow for Kingshaw to pass.
Hooper is frozen with fear, and wets his pants in fright. Kingshaw tries to persuade Hooper to listen
to his instructions, which will tell him how to get down. He recognises that once again he is in a
position of power; he could do anything, anything at all to Hooper. However, like in the woods, his
morality prevents him from doing so and instead he tries to overcome his hatred of Hooper and help
him off the ledge. As he reaches out a hand to help him, the movement startles Hooper and he loses
his balance and falls.
CHAPTER 13
The chapter starts with Hooper falling down, according to the viewpoint of Kingshaw. After that,
Hooper is brought to a hospital, while Kingshaw is drove home. During the trip, Kingshaw recalls
events happening back in school. After he gets home, he is left there with Mrs. Boland for the night.
He is, however, scared by the T.V show she is watching and decides to go to bed early. He then
proceeds to have a nightmare and stumbles out of his room, only to be carried down by Mr. Hooper
and is calmed down by his mum.
CHAPTER 14
In this chapter, Hooper has been in hospital for a broken leg for a week. So Kingshaw is left with Mrs
Boland at Warings while his mother is at the hospital visiting Hooper.
At the start of the chapter, Mrs Kingshaw tries to make Kingshaw talk about Hopper by
asking him about Hooper. Hooper hinted out that he disliked Hooper when he was talking to his
mother.
That night after the incident, Mr Joseph carried Kingshaw back to his bedroom which
reminded him of Fenwick, a schoolmate from Kingshaw’s previous school. Kingshaw wanted to be
friends with Fenwick. He tried talking to Fenwick but he never replied. One day, when both of them
were playing with a group of children at a slope which later on Fenwick fell flat on his face. Kingshaw
tried to help him but Fenwick told him to shut up. He bravely walked to get help by himself.
Kingshaw wants to be like him, independent and brave.
After a while after his mother, he got bored and decided to go the church. There was where
he met a boy named Fielding. Though Kingshaw had no idea who he was, Fielding knew a lot about
Kingshaw. Fielding brought Kingshaw to his house and Kingshaw enjoyed spending time with him.
Things at the Fielding’s house were contrast to Warings. He felt happy there because he finally had a
friend.
Later on, Fielding invited Kingshaw to stay for dinner at his house which Kingshaw had to go
back to Warings to ask for permission. His mother told him that Hooper will not be coming back the
next day. Kingshaw was delighted that he now has the chance to spend more time with his new
friend without Hooper interrupting him.
This chapter gives readers hope that Kingshaw will be able to live a happier life with his new
friend Fielding.
CHAPTER 15
Hooper returns from hospital and Mrs. Kingshaw says that her son should stay in and keep Hooper
Company. No matter how many times Kingshaw keeps saying that he dislike Hooper the adults have
decided to ignore Kingshaw’s behavior. Kingshaw appears to be always in the wrong while Hooper
gets away with his behavior
Tired of being with Hooper Kingshaw went to visit Fielding but pretends to go to the shop for an ice
cream. However his mother told him that he must come straight back and he knows he must do
what she says. As he eats his ice cream the Fieldings in their Land Rover full of cows was going to
market. One of them is the calf Kingshaw saw being born and he is worried to learn that it is going to
be sold. He turns down the invitation to follow them but part of him is relieved not to go to the
market, he regrets that he cannot spend time with Fielding anymore. When he got back to Warings
Hooper said that he knows all about Fielding and Kingshaw feels that he has loss.
Mr. Hooper takes Kingshaw to London to get a new school uniform. Kingshaw feels this is the end of
everything. He wonders why Mr. Hooper is prepared to pay for his new uniform and school fees
which has provided fuel for Hooper's taunts. Mr. Hooper believes that Kingshaw is getting on well
and was thinking how everything has improved for him since Mrs. Kingshaw arrived. He has thoughts
about her and the effect she has had on.
When they get back to Warings Kingshaw finds that his mother has given Hooper the model he
made when Hooper was in hospital. He is angry about this and his tantrum was brought to a halt
when Mr. Hooper slaps him in the face and his mother supported Mr. Hooper. He tries to get the
model back from Hooper who throws it against the wall. Kingshaw was broken hearted. He is
becoming more isolated and feels more hopeless
CHAPTER 16
Mrs Kingshaw had a conversation with her friend Enid, through telephone. She talks to Enid about
how she is at Warings and also talks a little bit on maybe moving to a new place in the future.
Kingshaw and Hooper overheard the conversation and are both surprised. Kingshaw feels frightened
that he will start moving to a new house because there was a time where he lived in a private hotel.
Hooper tells Kingshaw about the marriage between Mrs Kingshaw and Mr Hooper. Kingshaw cried
that night as he thought about living with Hooper for the rest of his life. They later visited the circus
which Kingshaw is not so happy about. The reason that Mrs Kingshaw and Mr Hooper brought
Hooper and Kingshaw out was because they told them that they were going to get married. Fielding
later comes over to Warings for lunch as Mrs Kingshaw invited him. Kingshaw did not feel so
comfortable as he lost Fieldings as a friend to Hooper. Fieldings has a good attitude towards both
the boys. In the end Fieldings invited Hooper to go to the farm, Kingshaw thought that if Hooper
went to the farm, his chance of getting Fieldings as a friend is over. The chapter end by Kingshaw
being extremely mad at Hooper.
CHAPTER 17
Hooper and Kingshaw ‘s parents are getting married and the boys would be sent to boarding school.
Earlier, Kingshaw had stolen Hooper’s treasured battle plan and his lists of regiments and was wreck
with guilt for his actions. He was afraid as Hooper showed no reaction for revenge. It was out of the
ordinary. Kingshaw became even more terrified as he sensed that Hooper is up to no good and is
currently plotting something sinister. It’s like the calm before the storm. At night, Kingshaw
received a threat and he decided to take things into his own hands. At dawn, he slips into
Hangwood where he found the clearing with the stream and there, he took his own life. It was
Hooper who found Kingshaw’s body floating in the water and at that moment, Hooper felt victorious.
This feeling was unknown by the adults whereupon he was even comforted by Mrs Kingshaw.