Knights of the Kitchen Table

The narrative starts after Joe, Sam, and Fred have been transported back in time, propelling readers into the action and conflict of the story. This technique is called in medias res, a Latin phrase that translates to “in the middle of things.” This technique is often used in thrillers or action narratives to draw in the audience.

In particular, in medias res can draw in young or reluctant readers who may be lured in by action and bored by backstory. Important information is delivered later through methods such as flashbacks or conversation. For example, in Chapter 2 of Knights of the Kitchen Table, Scieszka’s use of a flashback fills in the details of how Joe, Sam, and Fred got sent back in time. It also introduces The Book, which provides a means for the boys to return home and is a staple of the Time Warp Trio series.

Knights of the Kitchen Table juxtaposes a medieval setting with modern-day characters. It aims to weave both suspense and humor and be accessible to its young audience. In Chapter 1, Joe, Sam, and Fred are both confused and intrigued, inviting the reader to learn what happened.

The black knight is a nod to Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), a movie that spoofs King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and medieval society. Scieszka borrows lines from the movie and describes his black knight as similar to the movie character; as with Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the knight is defeated. For readers who are familiar with the film, the knight offers additional context to this scene. Scieszka also makes it clear that Knights of the Kitchen Table does not attempt to recreate medieval life or King Arthur’s court with any true sense of accuracy. The knight’s formal speech pattern alongside the boys’ more modern conversation is a clue that not all is right, and it foreshadows the boys using contemporary ideas and sensibilities to navigate their new medieval setting. This also introduces the “what did he say” motif that comes up from both the kids and the people they meet, illustrating how neither side understands the other and offering opportunities for comic misunderstanding. Throughout the chapter, Fred consistently asks what the knight is saying, and Joe translates the knight’s speech into a version Fred understands. The boys’ communication touches on an important theme in the book: The Power of Teamwork.

These chapters introduce key figures from Arthurian legend, including Arthur, Merlin (Arthur’s court enchanter), and several well-known knights. As befits a king, Arthur wears a crown and holds sway over his subjects. The exception to this is Merlin. Arthur is technically in charge, but Merlin is learned and wise. The knights are amazed that the boys can read like Merlin—presumably the only other person with this ability. Lancelot, Percival, and Gawain are prominent figures from Arthurian legend. Lancelot is famed for being the most skilled and trusted knight, which Scieszka alludes to. Scieszka also mentions Lancelot’s love affair with Queen Guenevere, one of the most important subplots of Arthurian legend. Scieszka stops short of showing how these characters and relationships affect Arthur and his court: The mere mention of them is enough to ground the story in Arthur’s world.

The boys work together in Chapter 3 to defeat the black knight, illustrating The Power of Teamwork. Their victory foreshadows how they will later use cunning and partnership to thwart the giant and dragon and to convince King Arthur’s court they are real magicians. Throughout their challenges, the boys call on what they know of their own time and people in general, showing their ability to problem-solve by using their knowledge and applying strategies that work across time. For example, wearing out the knight until he gives up would have worked just as well in the boys’ time, even if its execution may have looked different. Similarly, Joe uses a card trick he learned from his uncle to impress the queen and courtiers, showing how stage magic and a person’s ability to be dazzled are not confined to any single time period. The boys' inability to fool Merlin speaks to the discerning power of real magic and perception. It also foreshadows how Merlin will discover their true identities, as well as the method to send them home.

Joe’s card trick shows how the boys’ time is the same as and different from Arthur’s. The trick itself works because people from any time and place see what they want and expect to see. In this case, they want to think Joe is an enchanter doing magic; they accept the trick as magic, even though it is nothing like the magic they have seen Merlin perform. After the recent threats from the dragon and giant, people are searching for someone to save them. Thus, the card trick convinces them more readily than it might have if the kingdom was not under threat, and the spectators do not question the boys. Merlin is the exception, foreshadowing how he discovers where the boys are really from and sends them home. It is never made clear if Merlin feels threatened by the boys, but his actions and attitude suggest he does not like having to compete for the loyalty of Arthur and the people of the court.

The interactions between Joe, Sam, and Fred throughout these chapters showcase the boys’ differences, as well as the bond between them. Like Merlin, the boys are smart, as shown by how they thwart the challenges they face. Fred’s defeat of the black knight underscores how he is the most athletic and physically-minded, giving him an edge in matters of combat. Joe’s ability to fool the courtiers with his card trick shows his understanding of human nature and how to work a crowd. Like his uncle, Joe is a performer. Joe only fools people, meaning they could discover his deception and undo his victory.

Sam’s problem-solving emerges in the latter half of the book. Scieszka plants the seeds for this in the earlier chapters, showing Sam as the brains of the group. Sam, like Merlin, is an advisor, offering Joe his thoughts on the situations the group faces and pointing out the holes in their plans. Together, the boys and the challenges they overcome in their individual ways represent The Nuances of Greatness.