I’m the King of the Castle

by

Susan Hill

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Joseph Hooper Character Analysis

Joseph Hooper is the father of Edmund Hooper: a middle-aged father who, by his own admission, is dull, talentless, and unremarkable in almost every way. Although Hooper is a relatively minor character in the book, he’s one of only three adult characters (the others are Alice Boland and Helena Kingshaw) whose private thoughts Hill reveals to readers. In comparison with his child, Edmund Hooper, Joseph seems surprisingly simple-minded in his thinking: he seems to have made peace with his own mediocrity rather than trying to better himself. Joseph’s motivations in the novel are simple: he wants to do a good job of raising his son, Edmund, but fails to recognize what a manipulative child he is and therefore fails to understand him. More importantly, though, Joseph wants a romantic companion after the premature death of his wife. Hill implies that this is the reason Joseph sends for a new housekeeper (Helena Kingshaw)—the event that sets the plot of the novel in motion.

Joseph Hooper Quotes in I’m the King of the Castle

The I’m the King of the Castle quotes below are all either spoken by Joseph Hooper or refer to Joseph Hooper. 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 2 Quotes

Perhaps I should strike him, Joseph Hooper thought, for speaking to me in that way, perhaps it is very foolish to let him get the upper hand, to allow such insolence. I do not like his supercilious expression. I should assert myself. But he knew that he would not. He deliberated too long, and then it could not be done.

Related Characters: Edmund Hooper, Joseph Hooper
Page Number: 25
Explanation and Analysis:
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 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:
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Joseph Hooper Quotes in I’m the King of the Castle

The I’m the King of the Castle quotes below are all either spoken by Joseph Hooper or refer to Joseph Hooper. 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 2 Quotes

Perhaps I should strike him, Joseph Hooper thought, for speaking to me in that way, perhaps it is very foolish to let him get the upper hand, to allow such insolence. I do not like his supercilious expression. I should assert myself. But he knew that he would not. He deliberated too long, and then it could not be done.

Related Characters: Edmund Hooper, Joseph Hooper
Page Number: 25
Explanation and Analysis:
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 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: