Summary
The entire novel 'A Kestrel for a Knave' is a story about a single day in the life of protagonist, Billy Casper. The story is told from the
third person point of view, however readers are instinctively led to consider Billy’ point of view.
The story is set in South Yorkshire (possibly in a mining area called Barnsley) in the. Billy’s older brother Jud works
down in the mining pits, and this is an occupation that Billy is not interested in. However the narrator leads us to believe that Billy will not escape this 'small town' fate. For boys like Billy, there was little else to do for an occupation or career.
The novel makes use of the flashback technique to develop the story. As the novel only covers a single day, this technique helps to stretch the story by alternating between present day and filling in gaps from the past. For example, gaps such as how Billy became Kes' owner and trainer.
Billy's family unit comprises his harsh brother Jud and his apathetic mother, Mrs Casper. It is a cold and loveless home and Billy who is also not well cared for. His only solace is his kestrel, Kes;
she is the centre of his life and he spends all his time and efforts to her.
Billy’s day starts off with a sour conversation with his brother Jud and continues with his paper round for Mr Porter, who clearly believes Billy is inferior to the boys from the middle-class
Firs Hill Estate. His day continues at school, where he is humiliated by both his form
tutor, Mr Crossley, and the headmaster, Mr Gryce. After being caned for daydreaming in
assembly, he goes to his English lesson with Mr Farthing. This lesson is one of the few
positive times in his day: he is made to feel valued when he gives a talk to the class about
his kestrel. At break, he is involved in a fight which is sorted out by Mr Farthing. Billy
then goes to a PE lesson where the teacher, Mr Sugden, continues the humiliation because
Billy has no kit and cannot play football.
At lunchtime, Billy goes to feed and fly Kes – a high point in his day. He is watched by Mr
Farthing, who has gone to see him after listening to his talk in the English lesson. Billy
was supposed to place a bet at the bookmaker’s for Jud, but used the money to buy fish
and chips instead, after finding out that the horses were unlikely to win. However, the
horses do win, Jud finds out what has happened and he comes to school to find Billy.
Billy hides from him, thus missing his interview with the Youth Employment Officer.
Gryce discovers this and sends him along anyway. When the Officer asks Billy about his
hobbies, Billy is reminded of a possible threat. What would Jud do, having failed to find
him? Wanting revenge, Jud kills Billy’s beloved Kes. When Billy returns home Kes is not
there and his search for her is fruitless. He eventually finds her carcass in the bin and is
desperately upset; he seeks support from his mother but receives none. At the end of his
day – and the novel – he takes comfort in the decrepit cinema, where he has memories of his
father.
The novel ends as it started, with Billy in bed but with little to no hope and no Kestrel.
Themes
What are the main themes in the novel?
Here are some ideas:
● education
● nature or Kes
● environment
● school or teachers
● respect
● family life
Example of an analysis of the theme family life
Consider what Hines tells us about family life. He does this in three main ways:
● through Billy’s family life (this is the main way)
● through the family Billy sees when he is on his paper round
● through the ‘tall story’.
The last two may not seem obvious and there may not appear to be much to say about
them, but that’s what makes them more interesting to use. They are also a good contrast
with the way Billy’s family life is presented.
You could study Billy’s family life first of all: there are plenty of episodes to consider, for
example:
● the opening of the novel when Jud gets up (pages 1–3)
● when Billy returns from his paper round (pages 14–18)
● when Jud comes home drunk (pages 39–42)
● after Billy finds Kes dead (pages 168–75)
● the ending in the derelict cinema – look for what Billy says about his dad (pages
181–2).
