The Hang Wood Forest

The Hang Wood Forest is the symbol which represents the only place that is not under the dominance of Hooper, where he is powerless, the place where Kingshaw was the one who isn't under any fear. The events happened in this forest also tells us that Kingshaw is a nice, friendly kid, unlike Hooper.

When Charles decides to run away, Hooper followed into the Hang Wood, as shown in chapter 6, from page 89 to 100. As Kingshaw reaches a dense, dark area he hears a sound and his mood changes in an instant. Notice that at this point atmosphere of the surroundings seems to change. It becomes quiet, dark and still, reflecting the change of mood. At this point Hooper appears. The appearance of Hooper made Kingshaw feel defeated and powerless, which Hill used the  word “froze” to describe the feelings of Kingshaw, who was lost by the appearance of Hooper and doesn’t know what to do.

On chapter 7, from page 103 to 107, Hooper has shown his weakness to Kingshaw, which was the thunder roaring. But Kingshaw, instead of teasing and make fun of Hooper, he helped by driving Hooper’s thoughts to something else other than the thunder, which was the “stream” he was talking about. By saying he is thirsty, he persuaded Hooper to follow him. Kingshaw as a nice person naturally, “forgotten the sort of person Hooper was” and followed him.