References to knights

The movies begins with Max talking about knights--they are “gentle to the weak and terrible to the wicked.” “It was Freak that told me about King Arthur. It was Freak that told me about everything.”

Their friendship begins with Kevin reading to Max about King Arthur--introducing him to the story.

Pond: after the pond incident, Kevin says to Max: “A knight of the realm fears not death.” This is the end of Chapter 2.

Restaurant: when Max stops the thief, saying “Get your filthy hands off her,” a knight appears in the movie for the first time. When he acts bravely on behalf of the weak, forces from somewhere else come to him. As they leave the restaurant, they pass a knight in a doorway. As they cross the bridge, they are surrounded by knights.

Fight in alley: Kevin: “A Knight fights for what is good and right.”

Museum: Kevin and Max knight each other. They make commitments to the story of knights (of goodness). “From that day on we never talked about our fathers, because that’s not who we were.” They find their identity in the story of King Arthur. That’s who they are.
The music comes up, triumphant. Knights accompany them as they walk through the halls of the school.

After we learn Kevin is dying and the world has gotten dark and dangerous, Max’s mother says to him: “"You’re my noble knight.” The view of those around him has changed toward him. He’s not just trouble any more.

After Kevin wrecks the van, Knights show up. As though Kevin has forces on his side as he moves toward Max’s father and the fight that lies ahead.

The book ends with Max reflecting on how Kevin “saved maidens and slayed dragons.” He is writing his own story, modeled after King Arthur’s story. He notes that if someone was once great, then they are great forever--like the once and future king.