The Once and Future King

Book 1: The Sword in the StoneChapters 1-4

Presented by: Mrs. Genetin

Summary – Chapter 1

The novel opens with 3rd person omniscient narration

Education of Kay & the Wart: governess & topics

Sir Ector & Sir Grummore Grummursum discuss quests, drink port wine, and plan how to find a new tutor

Sir Ector manages men and women on the estate during hay-making throughout the summer

The boys take Cully, a goshawk, from the Mews, and go into the woods. The Mews are described as well as Hob.

Cully is not prepared to fly – he has to rouse twice.

Summary – Chapter 2

Cully flies off. Kay returns home, the Wart stays to search. The Wart gets lost in the forest.

Afraid of things in the forest: Wat – no nose, bit a child’s nose off, ran into the forest; Magicians; Saxon-outlaws

Sleeps and is awoken by an arrow, became even more lost. Sees a knight in a clearing.

King Pellinore – Tells about his burden to track the Questing Beast p.23

The Wart offers Pellinore a place to sleep, but he heard the beast and continued on his quest, leaving the Wart alone.

Summary – Chapter 3

The Wart slept in the forest, but heard a clanking noise and went toward it.

Strange cottage belonging to Merlyn, a wizard.

Merlin knows The Wart and has a companion Owl named Archimedes.

Merlin lives backwards in time. P.35

The Wart offends Archimedes.

Merlin plans to return home with The Wart, who realizes he’s been on a quest!

Summary – Chapter 4

Merlin and The Wart return to Sir Ector’s castle with Cully and Archimedes.

The Wart presents Merlin to all as his tutor.

Sir Ector questions Merlin’s magic – so he makes it snow.

Sir Ector compliments The Wart on his quest, which Kay grumbles about.

Merlin reprimands Kay. P.40

The Wart, a.k.a. Arthur

The Wart was good at hay-making p.13

He gets into mischief, but ultimately follows the rules p.16

He is insightful p.16 and considerate to others p.17

He is curious, afraid of unknown danger, but capable of acting when the moment calls for it.

He appreciates nature and deeply respects Knights p.21

He is timid, cautious, and polite (Pellinore & Merlin)

He is eager to learn and proud of his quest.

Merlin

Merlin

A wizard who lives in an enchanted cottage

He lives backwards in time, so he knows what has happened – “Second Sight” p.35

Anachronism – a chronological inconsistency in a literary text; a juxtaposition of objects from another period of time (e.g. Encyclopaedia Britannica & Morning Post).

Ector asks him about white magic – using magic for good rather than for evil.

He gives Kay a hunting knife with a handle made of the skull of a stoat.

Kay

Biological son of Sir Ector, training to be a knight

Kay is treated differently P.9

Relationship between Kay and The Wart P.14

Kay’s view of other ranks of society P.16-17

Kay’s scolding by Merlin P.40

Symbolism

Questing Beast Merlin reveals the Questing Beast had been borne of a human woman, a princess who lusted after her own brother. She slept with a devil who had promised to make the boy love her, but the devil manipulated her into accusing her brother of rape. Their father had him torn apart by dogs as punishment. Before he died however, he prophesied that his sister would give birth to an abomination which would make the same sounds as the pack of dogs that was about to kill him.

Questing Beast

Symbolism

Stoat = Weasel, One who is particularly cunning, conniving, shifty, sneaky, scheming and down right sly. Weasels are known for their ability to adapt to any situation and to manipulate it to suit their own weasel ways.

Owl = Merlin p.36

Philosophical Issues

Distinction and treatment among members of various social classes (the boys are reminded to stay clean)

The value of “eddication” for a specific purpose

Absence of concrete female figures or a mother figure – the governess is described as having hysterics and lunatic; the nurse provides nurturing care but readily scolds and nags Ector and the boys

Chivalry and Knighthood are important, but seem parodied by Sir Grummore’s drunkenness and King Pellionore’s awkward and clumsy manner

Emerging Topics/Themes

Loyalty; returning home

Education: How one learns and what lessons matter most

Coming of age; maturity

Author’s Purpose

White paints the picture of life in this period in history

He is detailed in his descriptions of setting, but uses a limited amount of characterization – mostly physical description and some thought/feeling (the Wart).

The language of the characters is accessible

The tone of these chapters is light-hearted and playful; reminiscent of childhood, allowing readers to connect to the story and its characters