Genre
Collection of novellas
Setting and Context
The action in the novellas takes place in Westeros a few years before the events described in the series "A Song of Ice and Fire" take place.
Narrator and Point of View
The action in the novellas is narrated from the perspective of a third-person objective point of view.
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood in the novellas is neutral.
Protagonist and Antagonist
In the novella "The Hedge Knight" the protagonist is Dunk and the antagonist is Prince Aerion.
Major Conflict
The major conflict in the novella "The Sword King" is between the rich and the poor.
Climax
The novella "The Mystery Knight " reaches its climax when Egg decides to reveal his true identity.
Foreshadowing
When Duncan meets the large groups of knights traveling together during the events presented in "The Mystery Knight", it does not take long for the other knights to insult Duncan and to treat him in a bad way. This incident is important because it foreshadows the later instances in which the same knights will try to kill Duncan.
Understatement
In the story "The Mystery Knight " Duncan enlists the help of a well-respected knight to help him protect the dragon egg. The knight assures Duncan that he will protect and take care of the egg. This is however an understatement because, later, the same knight steals the egg and runs away with it.
Allusions
One of the main allusions which can be found in the novellas is the idea that no one, no matter their social status, is above the law.
Imagery
The most important image in the story "The Hedge Knight" is the one when Prince Baelor takes off his armor at the end of the battle and is revealed he was seriously injured. The prince dies soon after and his dead body is described in detail by the narrator. This image is important because it transmits the idea that no one can hide from death, no even those who have noble blood.
Paradox
We find a paradoxical idea in the novella "The Sword Sword" where Dunk tried to do everything he can to help a small community gain access to water. When Egg offers to use his power to help the people, Dunk refuses even though he knows that if Egg were to intervene, the situation would have been quickly resolved.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
In all the novellas the sword is used as a general term to make reference to a person's strength.
Personification
We have a personification in the novella "The Sword Sword" in the sentence "their steps crushed with no mercy the crops".
