The Once and Future King

The Once and Future King is an Arthurian fantasy novel written by T.H. White. It was first published in 1958, mostly as a composite of earlier works. ISBN 0441627404

Overview

The book, taking place on the isle of Gramarye, chronicles the raising and education of King Arthur and ends prior to his final battle against Mordred. Though its source material is admitted by the author as being derived from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (The Death of Arthur), White creates his personal reinterpretation of the epic events and fills them with renewed meaning for a world enduring the Second World War.

Related Topics:
Gramarye - King Arthur - Mordred - Sir Thomas Malory's - Le Morte d'Arthur - Second World War

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The book is divided into four parts:

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• The Sword in the Stone (1938)
• The Queen of Air and Darkness (1939) (originally titled The Witch in the Wood)
• The Ill-Made Knight (1940)
• The Candle in the Wind (First published in the composite edition, 1958)

A final part called The Book of Merlyn was published separately (ISBN 029270769X) following White's death. It chronicles Arthur's final lessons before his death, although some parts of it were incorporated into the final editions of the previous books.

Related Topics:
The Book of Merlyn - Arthur

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Despite the subject matter of the original story, White infuses his book with anti-nationalism and pacifist sentiment. There is a light smattering of symbolism throughout the book: e.g., Mordred's Thrashers are easily Nazis; King Uther Pendragon, as derived from his birth and death dates, symbolizes the monarchy before the Magna Carta. In fact, although the entire work can be read as a light and enjoyable comedy, it can also be interpreted as quite a serious political commentary.

Related Topics:
Anti-nationalism - Pacifist - Symbolism - Mordred - Nazi - Uther Pendragon - Monarchy - Magna Carta - Comedy

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One often quoted passage from the book is the badger's dissertation, re-telling the story of the Creation from Genesis.

Related Topics:
Creation - Genesis

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