together a broken sword or, in another version, restores the power of speech to his uncle, and succeeds him as king (Encarta ‘98). Roy’s life is similar to Percival’s in numerous ways. Roy begins his career at a young age, aspiring to become a major league baseball player and an eventual star. Like Roy, Percival wants to become someone of importance and goes to the King’s court to be knighted. Roy plays for Pop Fisher, his manager, after being out of baseball for a decade and a half. Pop is an unlucky man with many unfortunate things happening to him during his life. Roy is the character chosen by Malamud to lead Pop to happiness and joy by winning the pennant for him. Percival meets the Fisher King on his way to the King’s court. The Fisher King’s speech is impaired because of his possession of the Holy Grail and the spear that killed Christ. Percival, after many years, restores The Fisher King’s speech and becomes King. Roy brings success to his New York Knights baseball team, and during their success, Pop’s spirits are lifted and he becomes friendlier. These events are made to parallel each other; it is, therefore no coincidence, that the names parallel each other as well. As examples, Pop “Fisher” and the “Fisher” King, and Percival’s desire to become a “knight” and Roy’s play on a team called the “Knights”.The meaning of “a natural” in the Middle Ages differs completely from the meaning of “a natural” in baseball terminology and, therefore, gives the title of the novel a double meaning. “A natural” in the Middle Ages meant that someone was an innocent fool. In baseball language, “a natural” is a player with outstanding natural talent and ability (Helterman 24). Roy is both a fool and a naturally talented player. His outstanding play in the field and at the plate ...
