I’m the King of the Castle

by

Susan Hill

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Helena Kingshaw Character Analysis

Helena Kingshaw is the mother of Charles Kingshaw. A middle-aged woman’s who has lost her husband, Helena moves to Warings in part to find work and in part with the hope of finding a wealthy husband in Joseph Hooper. In many ways, Helena is the most ambiguous character in the novel. Her son, Charles, regards her as a negligent parent because she barely pays attention to him and often seems to favor Edmund Hooper over her own son. It is often unclear if Helena is actually as negligent as Charles portrays her, or if this is only Charles’s impression of his mother, seen from his childish perspective. At times, however, Hill gives readers access to Helena’s inner thoughts; at these times, it often does appear that Helena neglects her child, prioritizing her own financial security over Charles’s happiness. More strongly than any of the other characters, Helena is conscious of and attracted to the Hoopers’ wealth and their family estate. She’s eager to marry a wealthy man who can support her (and her child), and she’s willing to overlook certain things in order to ensure that this happens.

Helena Kingshaw Quotes in I’m the King of the Castle

The I’m the King of the Castle quotes below are all either spoken by Helena Kingshaw or refer to Helena Kingshaw. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Property and Class Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4 Quotes

They were gratified with one another, and with this new arrangement of their lives, and so it was easy to say, 'How well the boys have settled down together! How nice to see them enjoying themselves! How good it is for them not to be alone!' For they talked at length about their children, knowing nothing of the truth.

Related Characters: Charles Kingshaw, Edmund Hooper, Joseph Hooper, Helena Kingshaw
Page Number: 57
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

‘I want an aspirin. My head hurts again.'
'You shall have one, dear.' Mrs Helena Kingshaw jumped up. I shall not make a favourite of my own child, she thought, especially when all the blame for this lies with him.

Related Characters: Edmund Hooper (speaker), Helena Kingshaw (speaker)
Page Number: 131
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 16 Quotes

No, I don't know, nothing is really settled, Enid. I have not quite made up my mind about the future.’ For she was anxious that Mr Hooper should hear her, anxious for him to know that she retained her pride. If there were any decisions to be made, then, he should be the one . . .

Related Characters: Helena Kingshaw (speaker), Joseph Hooper
Page Number: 200
Explanation and Analysis:

Now, Mr Hooper sat and thought about Mrs Helena Kingshaw, in this house, in the room upstairs, thought of the pleasure of her company, the pride and satisfaction it gave him to see how relieved she was to be here. And there was the way that she looked at him, he recognized something of his own need, there was something . . . He undressed. He thought with excitement that a physical marriage to Mrs Kingshaw would not be like what he had had with Ellen, for Mrs Kingshaw would answer to him, without the niceties and the restraints, she would bridge the gap between fantasy and life.

Related Characters: Joseph Hooper, Helena Kingshaw, Ellen Hooper
Page Number: 203-204
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

For a second, he hesitated, part of his mind starting to come awake. And then he thought of everything, of what else would happen, he thought of the things Hooper had done and what he was going to do, of the new school and the wedding of his mother. He began to splash and stumble forwards, into the middle of the stream, where the water was deepest. When it had reached up to his thighs, he lay down slowly and put his face full into it and breathed in a long, careful breath.

Related Characters: Charles Kingshaw, Edmund Hooper, Helena Kingshaw
Related Symbols: Water
Page Number: 222
Explanation and Analysis:
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Helena Kingshaw Quotes in I’m the King of the Castle

The I’m the King of the Castle quotes below are all either spoken by Helena Kingshaw or refer to Helena Kingshaw. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Property and Class Theme Icon
).
Chapter 4 Quotes

They were gratified with one another, and with this new arrangement of their lives, and so it was easy to say, 'How well the boys have settled down together! How nice to see them enjoying themselves! How good it is for them not to be alone!' For they talked at length about their children, knowing nothing of the truth.

Related Characters: Charles Kingshaw, Edmund Hooper, Joseph Hooper, Helena Kingshaw
Page Number: 57
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

‘I want an aspirin. My head hurts again.'
'You shall have one, dear.' Mrs Helena Kingshaw jumped up. I shall not make a favourite of my own child, she thought, especially when all the blame for this lies with him.

Related Characters: Edmund Hooper (speaker), Helena Kingshaw (speaker)
Page Number: 131
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 16 Quotes

No, I don't know, nothing is really settled, Enid. I have not quite made up my mind about the future.’ For she was anxious that Mr Hooper should hear her, anxious for him to know that she retained her pride. If there were any decisions to be made, then, he should be the one . . .

Related Characters: Helena Kingshaw (speaker), Joseph Hooper
Page Number: 200
Explanation and Analysis:

Now, Mr Hooper sat and thought about Mrs Helena Kingshaw, in this house, in the room upstairs, thought of the pleasure of her company, the pride and satisfaction it gave him to see how relieved she was to be here. And there was the way that she looked at him, he recognized something of his own need, there was something . . . He undressed. He thought with excitement that a physical marriage to Mrs Kingshaw would not be like what he had had with Ellen, for Mrs Kingshaw would answer to him, without the niceties and the restraints, she would bridge the gap between fantasy and life.

Related Characters: Joseph Hooper, Helena Kingshaw, Ellen Hooper
Page Number: 203-204
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

For a second, he hesitated, part of his mind starting to come awake. And then he thought of everything, of what else would happen, he thought of the things Hooper had done and what he was going to do, of the new school and the wedding of his mother. He began to splash and stumble forwards, into the middle of the stream, where the water was deepest. When it had reached up to his thighs, he lay down slowly and put his face full into it and breathed in a long, careful breath.

Related Characters: Charles Kingshaw, Edmund Hooper, Helena Kingshaw
Related Symbols: Water
Page Number: 222
Explanation and Analysis: