Edmund Hooper also constantly attacks Charles Kingshaw. This is seen even early on in the novel within chapter three when Charles is being followed and attacked by a crow in the cornfield, the crow symbolizing Edmund Hooper. The crow “circled” over and around Charles Kingshaw suggesting that it was timing the correct time to strike him and just like Edmund, the crow plans to attack him three times “As it came down for the third time”. The three times represents mind, body, and soul. Although it is not clear why the crow attacked, however, it is suggested that similar to Edmund Hooper, the crow was protecting his land from the intruder. Edmund Hooper is also seen to viciously attack Charles’ mental state when he throws the rock with the note