An Eagle for an Emperor

A Gyrfalcon for a King

A Peregrine for a Prince

A Saker for a Knight

A Merlin for a Lady

A Goshawk for a Yeoman

A Sparrow hawk for a Priest

A Musket for a Holy Water Clerk

A Kestrel for a Knave: The Hawk

There are 208 species of hawks in the world…

A Kestrel for a KnaveA Kestrel for a Knave Main Entry: knave Main Entry: knave Pronunciation: \ˈnāv\Pronunciation: \ˈnāv\ Function: Function: nounnoun Etymology: Middle English, Etymology: Middle English,

from Old English from Old English cnafa;cnafa; akin akin to Old High German to Old High German knaboknabo boyboy

Date: before 12th centuryDate: before 12th century 11 archaicarchaic aa :: a boy servant a boy servant bb ::

a male servant a male servant cc :: a man of a man of humble birth or positionhumble birth or position2 : 2 : a tricky deceitful a tricky deceitful fellowfellow33 :: jackjack

The Novel’s Plot and Technique:The Novel’s Plot and Technique:

1.1. The action is based on ONE DAY!The action is based on ONE DAY!2.2. It occurs one day in late February or It occurs one day in late February or

March.March.3.3. Flashback technique is used.Flashback technique is used.4.4. The novel’s structure is EPISODIC.The novel’s structure is EPISODIC.5.5. It’s climax is withheld until almost the last It’s climax is withheld until almost the last

few pages.few pages.

Main characters:Main characters:

1. Billy Casper- the 1. Billy Casper- the knave, a physically knave, a physically small, undernourished small, undernourished 15 year old; picked on 15 year old; picked on by his older brother, by his older brother, has an uncaring has an uncaring mother, is bullied at mother, is bullied at school by students school by students and teachers, is and teachers, is athletic and good with athletic and good with animals.animals.

2. Jud- Billy’s older half 2. Jud- Billy’s older half brother; works in a brother; works in a coal mine; a hard coal mine; a hard drinker and bully; he drinker and bully; he kills Kes.kills Kes.

3. Mrs Casper- about 35 3. Mrs Casper- about 35 or 40; a slovenly, lazy or 40; a slovenly, lazy and promiscuous and promiscuous woman; a cold, woman; a cold, uncaring mother.uncaring mother.

CharactersCharacters

4. Mr. Farthing- a born 4. Mr. Farthing- a born teacher; gives teacher; gives relaxed, informal relaxed, informal classes, but deals classes, but deals with misbehavior with misbehavior sharply and sharply and immediately; he tries immediately; he tries to give his lessons to give his lessons ‘‘life meaninglife meaning’, and ’, and listens to his students.listens to his students.

5. Mr. Gryce- the 5. Mr. Gryce- the headmaster; society headmaster; society and education have and education have altered- he has not. altered- he has not. He is too old to adapt He is too old to adapt and change; he can and change; he can now only lash out at now only lash out at what he cannot what he cannot change or have change or have sympathy for.sympathy for.

Kes must stand as a characterKes must stand as a character

She represents She represents independence, and independence, and symbolizes hope for symbolizes hope for Billy; survival is Billy; survival is possible without possible without losing one’s pride. losing one’s pride. This relationship This relationship temporarilytemporarily saves saves Billy from a waste Billy from a waste land of deprivation land of deprivation and cruelty.and cruelty.

Minor Characters:Minor Characters:1.1. Mr. Porter: is the newsagent Billy Mr. Porter: is the newsagent Billy

works for; he is bad tempered, rude, works for; he is bad tempered, rude, distrustfuldistrustful

2.2. Reg & Uncle Mick: are men who take Reg & Uncle Mick: are men who take advantage of Mrs. Casper’s advantage of Mrs. Casper’s promiscuity and immorality.promiscuity and immorality.

3.3. Tibbut: was once a friend of Billy’s; his Tibbut: was once a friend of Billy’s; his major role is to act as a foil to Sugden major role is to act as a foil to Sugden before the soccer match.before the soccer match.

More minor charactersMore minor characters4. MacDowall: a school bully, hostile to Billy 4. MacDowall: a school bully, hostile to Billy

and jealous of Billy’s relationship with Kes; and jealous of Billy’s relationship with Kes; he taunts Billy about his mother’s he taunts Billy about his mother’s immorality; he is a smaller scale of Jud.immorality; he is a smaller scale of Jud.

5. Anderson: speaks with surprising fluency 5. Anderson: speaks with surprising fluency in Mr. Farthing’s class; also appears in in Mr. Farthing’s class; also appears in soccer match.soccer match.

6.The Librarian: unhelpful and 6.The Librarian: unhelpful and unsympathetic towards Billy; causes him to unsympathetic towards Billy; causes him to steal book.steal book.

Really minor characters:Really minor characters:>>Jordan, Fisher, Mitchell, Whitbread, Jordan, Fisher, Mitchell, Whitbread,

Purdy, Ellis, Sparrow, ‘Fatty’ and Purdy, Ellis, Sparrow, ‘Fatty’ and ‘Spotty Crew-Cut’‘Spotty Crew-Cut’ are boys who make are boys who make brief appearances.brief appearances.

> The > The farmer and his daughterfarmer and his daughter are are initially hostile to Billy, but then initially hostile to Billy, but then become more friendly and co-become more friendly and co-operative.operative.

Some Themes: controlling ideas in a work

Compassion

Authority

Class

Nature

Review:1. Did you get the last theme? It was

nature2. Can you trace the one day plot?

3. Can you identify the flash back?

4. Do a plot outline for the novel and you will really understand much better.