A Kestrel for a Knave Essay
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
A Kestrel for a Knave Essay
From the various episodes in the novel of A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines, we learn that Billy is a character who is entirely on his own; no help is given from anyone, not even his family, hence we are aware of how badly Billy has been neglected. Billys characterization shows that the injustices and prejudices he has to struggle against are very much a part of his life and emphasises that fact that there is almost no way he can make something of himself. Barry Hines clearly evokes sympathy and respect for Billy through his word choice, character development and situations throughout the novel.
From the first sentence, There were no curtains up the reader is introduced to the hard poverty of Billys life and the lack of comforts which most people take for granted. This makes us sympathize with Billy from the very outset. Billy suffers at the hands of his violent and self-centred older brother Jud. Juds nature is evident from the opening scene in a situation in Billys bedroom in which Jud hits Billy for getting him up, and then wears Billys sweater, leaving Billy to get up in the cold. Adding to the sympathy that I already have for Billy, Jud takes Billys bike, which meant that Billy had to walk his paper round and Jud drinks all the milk. This is especially significant as milk symbolises comfort and nourishment and it underlines the lack of comfort and support, which Billy receives from his family.
The reader feels further sympathy when Billy looks in the cupboard and finds a packet of dried peas and half bottle of vinegar on the shelves...