Starting in the second part of the book, Arthur is our most main character. As stated in my previous post Arthur is a very trusting and kind individual. After pulling the sword from the stone, Arthur goes right into becoming king, but he barely changes at all. T.H. White helps show that Arthur's transformation into king is not a self-transformation by saying, "He had fair hair and a stupid face, or at any rate there was a lack of cunning in it. It was an open face, with kind eyes and a reliable, or faithful expression" (White 224). Arthur's experiences with being an animal really drive him to be a true, kind ruler and to not be a tyrant.
Although a secondary character, Morgause, Aurthur's half-sister, has been playing a big role in the conflicts Arthur faces. Morgause is very bitter about the fact that Uther Pendragon, Arthur's father, killed her father and raped her mother. Morgause is one of the Gaels along with her sisters, Morgan Le Fay and Elaine. It is because of the added conflict between the Gaels and the Normans that she rallies the country and helps start one of the Gaelic wars. Morgause's sons also play a larger role in the book. Gawaine, Agrivane, Gaharis and Gareth are Morgause's sons with Lot, her husband, and serve to tell the stories of Igraine(their grandmother) and Uther.
Arthur's biggest conflict right now is the Gaelic war that is backed by Morgause. Arthur has little knowledge of why the war exists, but Merlyn explains to him that there are multiple reasons (some being cultural tensions and others being Morgause's personal dislike for Uther and now Arthur. Merlyn explains it as, "I said the war happens for dozens of reasons, not for one. Another of the reasons for this particular war is because Queen Morgause wears the trousers" (234).
I find Arthur's view of war and life is similar to Oskar's from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. In the first part of the book, during Arthur's adventures as a goose, Lyo-Lyok tells him that there are only a few species of animals that wage wars, humans being one of them. Although originally Arthur thinks war is noble, his first experiences with war leave him wondering why wars exist and if there are better ways to solve problems.
Showing posts with label 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2. Show all posts
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Question Number Two!
What types of things does Richard "hunger" for
and what are the effects (positive and negative) of hunger?
Throughout the book, Richard has both physical hunger and mental hunger. Although his deepest desire is for the freedom to do as he pleases. Richard causes great rifts to form between him and many others because of his actions, but he also gets closer and closer to achieving his freedom.
Richard often argues that his beatings are unfair, showing his need for independence. At one time, Richard's uncle threatens to beat him, but Richard fights back. Richard's threat to slice his uncle with a razor blade is only his way of preserving the little freedom he already has. Richard tells his uncle, "'I didn't mean to hurt your feelings this morning,' I told him. 'you insist I did. Now, I'll be damned if I'm going to be beaten because of your hurt feelings'"(Wright 159). Richard wants to be independent, and make his own life, so he'll bow down to no one.
Although, Richard did not always have the freedom he longed for. I'll go back to the incident with the kitten to explain this. Richard was told early on that his parents' words were law, and that he should never disobey them. Many children who grow up like that are subservient and docile, but Richard knows, deep within, that that is not the way he wants to live. Richard takes His father's words literally, but he explains later on why he did just what he did. Mr Wright explains, "I had had my first triumph over my father. I had made him believe that I had taken his words literally. He could not punish me without risking his authority" (12). This is really when Richard gains his first taste of free life, and where his hunger begins.
Richard Wright constantly longed for freedom in his life, and he used his disestablishmentarianistic approach to life to gain the freedom he needed. Although this caused rifts, such as his uncle forbidding his family to talk to Richard, he was able to finally gain the freedom he hungered for.
Richard often argues that his beatings are unfair, showing his need for independence. At one time, Richard's uncle threatens to beat him, but Richard fights back. Richard's threat to slice his uncle with a razor blade is only his way of preserving the little freedom he already has. Richard tells his uncle, "'I didn't mean to hurt your feelings this morning,' I told him. 'you insist I did. Now, I'll be damned if I'm going to be beaten because of your hurt feelings'"(Wright 159). Richard wants to be independent, and make his own life, so he'll bow down to no one.
Although, Richard did not always have the freedom he longed for. I'll go back to the incident with the kitten to explain this. Richard was told early on that his parents' words were law, and that he should never disobey them. Many children who grow up like that are subservient and docile, but Richard knows, deep within, that that is not the way he wants to live. Richard takes His father's words literally, but he explains later on why he did just what he did. Mr Wright explains, "I had had my first triumph over my father. I had made him believe that I had taken his words literally. He could not punish me without risking his authority" (12). This is really when Richard gains his first taste of free life, and where his hunger begins.
Richard Wright constantly longed for freedom in his life, and he used his disestablishmentarianistic approach to life to gain the freedom he needed. Although this caused rifts, such as his uncle forbidding his family to talk to Richard, he was able to finally gain the freedom he hungered for.
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