The Knight in Rusty Armor

Robert Fisher

31 pages 1-hour read

Robert Fisher

The Knight in Rusty Armor

Fiction | Novella | Middle Grade | Published in 1987

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The Knight is a man overly concerned with his external image and proving himself to be "good, kind, and loving." He constantly performs knightly duties, such as rescuing damsels who do not want to be rescued, and refuses to take off his armor at home. His armor eventually becomes permanently stuck, forcing him to seek help to remove it before he loses his family entirely.

Key Relationships

Husband of Juliet

Father of Christopher

Mentee of Merlin

Companion of Squirrel

Companion of Rebecca

Acquaintance of Gladbag

Subject of The King

Connected to Sam

Opponent of Dragon of Fear and Doubt

Merlin is a wise man, famous for tutoring King Arthur, who resides in the woods and lives in complete harmony with the flora and fauna around him. He acts as a mentor, often frustrating The Knight by answering questions with more questions. He guides others toward self-awareness rather than simply providing easy answers.

Key Relationships

Mentor of The Knight

Friend of Squirrel

Friend of Rebecca

The Dragon of Fear and Doubt is a massive creature that guards the final stages of the Path of Truth. It spits flames and "Seeds of Doubt," representing the internal anxieties that prevent people from moving forward in life. It feeds directly on hesitation and insecurity.

Key Relationships

Opponent of The Knight

Supporting Characters

Juliet is The Knight's wife, pushed to her limits by his emotional and physical absence. She feels isolated by his constant need to perform heroic deeds and his refusal to remove his metal suit at home. She issues a firm ultimatum that forces him to begin his quest for change.

Key Relationships

Wife of The Knight

Mother of Christopher

Christopher is The Knight's young son. Due to his father's constant quests and refusal to remove his armor, he barely knows what the man looks like in person. His distant relationship with his father serves as a catalyst for The Knight's realization of his own failures.

Key Relationships

Son of The Knight

Son of Juliet

Squirrel is a woodland creature who acts as a loyal sidekick. She possesses practical skills and direct communication, initially chewing nuts to push through The Knight's armor so he can eat. She does not tolerate The Knight's initial dismissiveness and teaches him the value of listening.

Key Relationships

Companion of The Knight

Friend of Merlin

Friend of Rebecca

Rebecca is a pigeon who serves as an insightful guide for The Knight. Having previously flown to the top of the mountain, she possesses valuable experience. She offers philosophical advice about accepting things rather than expecting them, functioning as a patient teacher.

Key Relationships

Companion of The Knight

Friend of Merlin

Friend of Squirrel

Gladbag is the king's jester. He speaks in mysterious rhymes and provides the crucial piece of advice that points The Knight toward Merlin in the woods. He possesses an understanding of the symbolic defenses that all people wear to protect themselves.

Key Relationships

Acquaintance of The Knight

Employee of The King

The King is the ruler of the kingdom who periodically walks the Path of Truth to gain self-awareness. He tells his subjects he is on a crusade because they find it easier to understand. He explains the nature of the Castle of Silence to The Knight, emphasizing the necessity of solitude.

Key Relationships

Ruler of The Knight

Employer of Gladbag

Sam is the true, inner voice of The Knight, suppressed for years by constant activity and fear. He represents pure potential and honesty. He emerges only when The Knight achieves total silence and begins listening to himself.

Key Relationships

Inner self of The Knight