Abstract This paper looks at Mary Stewart's novel "The Crystal Cave" which is an accurate portrayal of Merlin's journey on becoming an advisor to King Arthur. Merlin's life is analyzed from the time he is a boy to his old age. The various roles that Merlin takes on are discussed and proved to show a direct correlation to the man he becomes. The diverse roles of Merlin as a prophet, student, and servant, Merlin, the man who pulled England out of the Dark Ages, and the right hand to King Arthur, are discussed in order to emphasize his varying journey.
From the Paper "Every person has many characteristics and roles within themselves that identify who they are. When a person is striving for a goal, many of these characteristics must come into play in order to aid in accomplishing the achievement. In the novel, "The Crystal Cave" by Mary Stewart, the protagonist, Merlin, exemplifies various roles and representations. He endures through an intense journey filled with magic, prophecies, teachings, and battles. He becomes destined to become the advisor for King Arthur, who will bring Britain out of the Dark Ages. The diverse character portrayals made by Merlin are significant with respect to his evolution as King Arthur's advisor. The diverse roles he depicts are of a prophet, student, and servant. "
Abstract This paper will show how the character Merlin in The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart is seen as a wise young man, as well as a magical human being. This paper will discuss how both seem to reflect each other, but also show that they are both valid in the scheme of his overall character. By comparing them together, we can see both of these elements come to life in the character that this author has brought to life in the realm of pseudo history.
This paper reviews Merline Pitre's "In Struggle against Jim Crow: Lulu B. White and the NAACP, 1900-1957" (1999) by discussing the history of Jim Crow laws.
Abstract This paper explains that state laws called Jim Crow laws required or permitted separation of the races and denied the right to votein spite of the Fifteenth Amendment, which was known as ?disfranchisement.? The author emphasizes that Lulu B. White was a female activist, an executive secretary of the Houston branch of the NAACP, and the state director of branches for the NAACP during the mid-20th century, when such activism was frequently met with white violence and retribution. The paper stresses that the life and accomplishments of Lulu B. White provide clear evidence that leaders are not born, but rather are made by the circumstances in which people find themselves.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Author's Main Thesis
Scope of the Book
Subject
Time Period
Geographical Scope
Critique of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Jim Crow and How it Affected Lula B. White
Conclusion
From the Paper "The lingering effects of a failed Reconstruction were clearly apparent in this region of the country during this period in America's history. According to the author, ?During the era of Jim Crow, in certain sections of this region, black males were expected to tip their hats in the presence of whites, even if they were walking on the opposite sides of the street. Well into the 1940s, railroad porters were required to pull down the window shades on the "colored" side of passenger cards as the train passed through Grand Saline, a community twenty miles east of Elmo, to prevent upstanding white citizens from looking at black faces.? "
Abstract The paper shows that if there was an historical King Arthur he would have existed centuries before the era of knighthood, probably sometime in the sixth century. It discusses how the historical reality of Arthur is much in doubt and remains a controversy, though Arthur has his champions who believe the stories of his reign began with a real personage and then were turned into myth and legend by various writers, each treating Arthur differently. The author traces the history of the stories relating to Arthur, and analyzes some of these works such as Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" and "The History of the Kings of Britain" by Welsh monk Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1135.
From the Paper " Many of the elements that would be part of the later tradition were missing, however. Arthur's court is not at Camelot but at a place called Caerlon-on-Usk, or City of Legions. Geoffrey contributed at least three new elements to the existing histories of Arthur--he supplied Arthur with a family tree, told of Arthur's association with Merlin, and described his burial at Avalon. Later chroniclers would use Geoffrey's account as a source and would develop more complex stories establishing Arthur as a king in the popular imagination."
Tags: Camelot, Merlin, Christien, de, Troyes, Sir, Lancelot, Holy, Grail, Mordred, Alfred, Lord, Tennyson, Idylls, of, the, King
Abstract The author presents a detailed dictionary meaning of ?Chivalry.? The paper then asks how does one preserve, in a modern moral context, what is good about chivalry, without rendering it either sexist or feudal in the estimation of contemporary viewers and readers? The author answers her question by reviewing in detail the novel, "The Crystal Cave" by Mary Stewart and the film "First Knight". Both modern works are set during Arthurian times and attempt to reinterpret chivalric values for a modern audience.
From the Paper "The notion of "chivalry" thus has both concrete aspects to its definition, including denoting the medieval system of knighthood, as well as more abstract moral connotations. The latter aspect of "chivalry" has come under attack in recent years for both its antiquated notions of class and attitudes towards women. How does one preserve, in a modern moral context, what is good about chivalry, without rendering it either sexist or feudal in the estimation of contemporary viewers and readers? The novel, The Crystal Cave, and the film First Knight, attempt to answer this question. "
Abstract A paper which investigates many British/European myths and folk heroes including Beowulf, the Arthurian Legend and its key players, Celtic Mythology (in particular the clan of the Tuatha De Danann and its patron mythological gods), and Robin Hood.
From the Paper "Marius Barbeau once marveled that ?"whenever a lullaby is sung to a child; whenever a ditty, a riddle, a tongue-twister, or a counting-out rime is used in the nursery or at school, folklore in its purest form is being employed" (qtd. in Leach 2:398). Barbeau's observation that even the simplest idiosyncrasies of life are based upon ancient rituals of folklore is a truly intriguing thought. The concept of folklore, in general terms, consists of the beliefs, customs, superstitions, proverbs, riddles, songs, myths, legends, tales, magic, witchcraft, and all other practices of the common people in a civilized society (Leach 2:399). Folklore is particularly rich in the regions of Great Britain, an area whose legends have molded some of the most recognizable folk heroes in history. The mythology in the British Isles has been passed to modern cultures primarily through the writings of the Welsh where it was recorded in the tenth century ("British Mythology"). This growing collection of legendary British fact and fiction has culminated into a culture whose history is alive with intriguing tales of renowned folk heroes. Many folk heroes of Britain truly remain as interesting and influential today as when they first emerged into history."
Abstract This paper examines the roles in literature and history of the following women, among others - Maid Marian, Queen Morgan le Fay and Queen Morgause. The paper is based on the book by White which describes the attributes of these woman as representing true female qualities. It assists in providing a fuller definition of "woman" which White aims to achieve.
From the Paper "In T.H. White's The Once and Future King, women have portrayed one or a few aspects of, "the totality of what can be known" (Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, p. 116) In myth, women play the parts of goddess, mother, temptress, and supernatural aid. Queen Morgan le Fay is depicted as a temptress, luring people into her castle for eternal imprisonment. Maid Marian embodies the goddess, mother figure, and supernatural aid as she leads the two children through the Forest Sauvage. Queen Morgause acts as a temptress, distracting King Pellinore and Sir Grummore Grummursum, however changes for the good. All three women combined represent Campbell's definition of ?woman.?"
Tags: arthur, fay, le, maid, marian, merlin, morgan, morgause, queen
Abstract This paper analyzes how in his "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", Mark Twain seeks to satirize many of the "romantic" notions about the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It looks at how his depiction of 6th century England reveals a time and a country that is rife with political, economic and social problems where many people are subjugated by fear of the supernatural and forced to lead oppressed lives. It discusses how Twain's novel seeks to tell us as much about the failings of 19th century post-Enlightenment American ideology as it does to criticize the romantic vision of King Arthur.
From the Paper "In his zeal to develop 6th century England into a technologically-advanced republic based on democratic principles, the Yankee unleashes all of the horrors of modern warfare upon the knights that try to stop him. In this final battle, we see the ways in which Twain's satire has increasingly come to question the values of America in the 19th century, and that this critique is just as profound and deep-seated as his earlier attacks on the romanticism of Arthurian England. The Yankee's idea is that it is only the Church and the aristocracy that are opposed to a republic, because a democratic government would not benefit them since they already possess a higher role in the social order under the monarchy. Hank argues that if he and his supporters can just get rid of the upper echelon of British society, then they will have control of the country and can set up a new government."
Abstract This paper tells the life story and myth of King Arthur. It looks at the period before his birth, the legends of his strength and power, and the impact he had on the region.
Outline
Before King Arthur's Birth
Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther
Uther, the King
Uther's Death
Arthur Became the King
The Round Table
The Death of King Arthur
King Arthur's Childhood
The Sword in the Stone
Rebellion Against King Arthur
King Arthur Is Lied to
Evil Sir Mordred
The Death of King Arthur
From the Paper "Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther did not let the murder of their brother, Constans, just passed by without revenge. When the two came to manhood, they started their revenge to Vortigern. They burned Vortigern's palace. Along with it was Vortigern who was burned to death. The death of Vortigern paved the way for Aurelius to become the king. As the king, Aurelius fought the Saxons to drive them away of Logres. Horsa, one of the leaders of the Saxons, was killed in the battle while Hengist was captured and executed. Aurelius also fought with Octa, the son of Hengist, which led to Octa's defeat. Aurelius? kingship brought about the re-establishment of Logres. He was soon poisoned by Paschent, Vortigern's son. Aurelius was buried in a Stonehenge, a large circle which was built out of Merlin's advice."
Abstract This paper discusses the various sources on which Sir Thomas Mallory drew to create the version of the legend of King Arthur that is known today. The writer provides an overview of the historical background for the Arthurian legend and the evidence that exists for a historical Arthur. The writer explains the medieval traditions of courtly love and of chivalry that Mallory incorporated into his book and his legacy of the knightly ideal that was detailed by Chaucer in his "Canterbury Tales," and in the fourteenth-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."
From the Paper "The account that did the most to establish Arthur as a prominent historical figure was The History of the Kings of Britain written in 1135 by Geoffrey of Monmouth, a Welsh monk, and the book provides a history of the earliest kings of Britain, some 99 in all, including King Coel, known to us today from the nursery rhyme as Old King Cole. About one-fifth of the book is devoted to Arthur, and Geoffrey provides the first organized version of the story. Many of the elements that would be part of the later tradition were missing, however. Arthur's court is not at Camelot but at a place called Caerlon-on-Usk, or City of Legions. Geoffrey contributed at least three new elements to the existing histories of Arthur--he supplied Arthur with a family tree, told of Arthur's association with Merlin, and described his burial at Avalon."
