Explore the role Fielding plays in Im the king of the castle

Susan Hill uses the crow Fielding from Im the king of the castle to as a powerful tool to
portray a number of points. Using examples from the text this essay will explore the the
ways in which Fielding is Kingshaws final sight at hope, how Fielding is a depiction of
regularity, the ways Hill reminds the reader how Kingshaw could have been with a
positive upbringing, the cordiality of Fieldings house in contrast to Warings.

Kingshaws first friend since coming to Warings and the only person whom he
could talk to about his problems. Fielding is willing to listen to him although doesnt
understand why he would be so scared of Hooper. Fielding told him not to take Hooper
seriously because he cant do anything to you. We can say that the appearance of
Fielding at the end of the novel acts as the last glimpse of hope for Kingshaw; the only
place he could turn to when everything else is settled. He acts as an anchor outside the
grimness of Warings and Hooper; his port in a storm. Every time Kingshaw feels hopeless,
he thinks of Fielding and everythings going to be alright because there was Fielding,
that was all. Fielding is an easy-going boy who could get along with anyone and nothing
could fear him. He is confident and certain about himself and Kingshaw admires him for
that, he wants to be like Fielding. Hill uses this as a message that people can be good,
can be generous and kind, and it all comes down to how they were raised. Hill presents a
warning against ignorant parenting and shows us how children are when they are
nurtured and loved.
For the reader, Anthony Fielding represents normality. The reader can relate to his
experiences better that we can to those of Kingshaw or Hooper. Fielding shows us that
well balanced and secure children can emerge from loving families. His endless carefree
days spent playing with other children undisturbed by the adult world brings a welcome
sense of normality to an otherwise sad novel, in stark juxtaposition to Hoopers constant
needling at Kingshaw. When he and Kingshaw pretend to be enemy battleships and
Fielding goes, Ack-Ack-Ack-Ack-Ack, and when he was poking in the reeds with a stick,

it reveals Fieldings playful and free nature, it shows how fielding is relaxed, calm and
happy in every situation, it shows how he is open but still secure. Hill uses Fielding to
present a lesson that childrens childhood and upbringing determine what kind of a
person they will be, it shapes and moulds us into who we are, with a proper and nurturing
upbringing, Fielding is secure, relaxed, positive and confident.
The cordiality of Fieldings house juxtaposes starkly with Warings. A device which
Hill effectively employs in naming Warings is onomatopoeia. Warings has militaristic
connotations War-ings suggest that the house represents a battlefield for Hooper and
Kingshaw, who are constantly at war with each other. Fieldings house is described as
having a long garden, with fruit trees and full of sharp, clear, and bright colours
and shapes. His house is bright, colourful and happy and welcoming while warings is
associated with death, power struggle and war. This fortified when Hill describes warings
and says that the yew trees stood before the house. The choice yew trees is significant
as they are a classic symbol of death and sorrow; the fact that they stood before the
house highlights that not only is the house itself permeated with death, it is also
surrounded by death and despair. Overall Hill presents a message that urges parents to
bring up their children in a safe, happy and secure environment, not in a harsh, hostile
house like warings. She presents a warning against ignorant parenting and shows the
reader how a competent and secure upbringing can lead to many benefits, advantages
and security.

A multitude of reasons demonstrate why Fielding is an essential character in Im

the king of the castle. The jovial, convivial and frisky nature of Fielding is made apparent
through his dialogue and descriptions, like when He says ack-ack-ack-ack-ack, it
highlights how happy, playful and free Fielding is. The unmitigated divergence between
Warings and Fieldings house is exemplified through Hills use of language and her
detailed descriptions of their surroundings. The normality of Fielding in contrast with
Hooper and Kingshaw is illustrated through his thought process and his behaviour, free
and secure nature, supportive and kind. The overall imagery and techniques used by Hill,

which range from dialogue, to the description of the house of Fielding and its differences
from Warings, stresses the importance of Fielding in the book Im the king of the castle.