Edmund Hopper is the main antagonist of the novel “I’m The King of the Castle” and is symbol of terror, in the perspective of Charles Kingshaw. Hooper is a very complex character yet we are regularly introduced by the author to his sadistic nature as he constantly bullies and manipulates Kingshaw, framing him just to ruin Kingshaw’s reputation and the adult’s perception of Charles. Prior to the event of the Chapter 1, Hooper’s grandfather has died, willing the mansion to Joseph Hooper, Edmund’s father. From the beginning of the novel, Susan Hill displays Edmund and his father as a very distant and closed off people. Hooper’s reaction to his grandfather’s death was unconcern, comparing him to” one of his dead old moths”, which his grandfather has been …show more content…
Hooper is unpleased with an idea of anyone sharing the space with him. He slips the “welcome note” to Kingshaw that reads “I DIDN’T WANT YOU TO COME”. Hooper constantly remarks on the fact that Kingshaw does not belong in the Warings, "We live here, it is ours, we belong. Kingshaw has nowhere". In addition to that, Hooper mocks Kingshaw for the lack of social status and Kingshaw’s diseased father. Susan Hill heavily relies on the ideology of the prey and predator. For example in Chapter 3, the scene where Kingshaw is attacked by the crow, it is hinted that the crow represent Hooper, “He thought that the corn might be some kind of crow’s food store, in which he was seen as the intruder”. Afterwards, Hooper takes Kingshaw to the Red Room where Edmund’s grandfather collected the moths. Hooper locks Kingshaw in the room as an attempt to frighten him, in which he succeeds. His hostility and sudden, unreasonable aggression towards Kingshaw implies that he is somewhat vicious and unstable. He is very defensive over his territory, using cruel methods to eliminate any competition, in the face of Kingshaw, for his