In continuation, another textual event that contributes to the epic theme of how to prevent war is again prompted by one of Merlyn’s educational animal transformation. Despite initial hesitation at transformation, Merlyn transforms Wart into an ant. During this adventure, Wart, as an ant, is able to observe the ants’ communistic/fascist society (Kennedy 288). After having observed the events of World War II, White’s outlook on war was greatly influenced (Hadfield 208), and this can be seen in this section of the novel, in addition to a few other places within the text. Nevertheless, when focusing on this specific section of the novel the statement White is making about how to avoid war is quite apparent. The ants represent the pitfalls of communist/fascist
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Through the course of this discussion, Merlyn at the beginning takes the position that the only justification for participating in war is when the enemy started, in the logic that “a murderer, for instance, is not allowed to plead that his victim was rich and oppressing him—so why should a nation be allowed to”. Kay retorts Merlyn viewpoint, saying that as long as there is a good reason to go to war, that is enough justification for it, using the example that Arthur went to war for the sake of imposing his ideals upon King Lot. This argument from Kay instigates a change in opinion from Merlyn, who adjusts his thoughts on the topic by stating that there is no justification for going to war. Some would claim that this adjustment of opinion shows that for White, “consistency was in fact impossible” (Brewer 131), this shifting of positons could very well be a reflection of White’s own struggle in taking a position. At one point in this particular conversation, Merlyn makes a reference to Hitler after Kay makes his argument that Arthur was justified in going to war because his goal was to impose a better life upon others. In essence, this is how Hitler’s anti-Semitism movement began, thus Merlyn’s reference. As it was previously mentioned, World War II was very influential in …show more content…
Arthur spent his time as king trying to create a world without war, and despite his failure, the ideals in which Arthur structured his vision for Camelot upon live on as his true legacy. When Arthur passes on his story to his young page, he changed “from a character with an ideal into the very symbol of the ideal” (Crane 121). Given time, and by heading from the lessons of King Arthur’s legacy, White is giving readers hope that one day, whenever that day may be, a war-free society, in which King Arthur embodied, will indeed become
Through the course of this discussion, Merlyn at the beginning takes the position that the only justification for participating in war is when the enemy started, in the logic that “a murderer, for instance, is not allowed to plead that his victim was rich and oppressing him—so why should a nation be allowed to”. Kay retorts Merlyn viewpoint, saying that as long as there is a good reason to go to war, that is enough justification for it, using the example that Arthur went to war for the sake of imposing his ideals upon King Lot. This argument from Kay instigates a change in opinion from Merlyn, who adjusts his thoughts on the topic by stating that there is no justification for going to war. Some would claim that this adjustment of opinion shows that for White, “consistency was in fact impossible” (Brewer 131), this shifting of positons could very well be a reflection of White’s own struggle in taking a position. At one point in this particular conversation, Merlyn makes a reference to Hitler after Kay makes his argument that Arthur was justified in going to war because his goal was to impose a better life upon others. In essence, this is how Hitler’s anti-Semitism movement began, thus Merlyn’s reference. As it was previously mentioned, World War II was very influential in …show more content…
Arthur spent his time as king trying to create a world without war, and despite his failure, the ideals in which Arthur structured his vision for Camelot upon live on as his true legacy. When Arthur passes on his story to his young page, he changed “from a character with an ideal into the very symbol of the ideal” (Crane 121). Given time, and by heading from the lessons of King Arthur’s legacy, White is giving readers hope that one day, whenever that day may be, a war-free society, in which King Arthur embodied, will indeed become