This novel takes place during the Dark Ages in Britain at a time when King Arthur won a decisive battle that gained peace for Britain for many years. The article Mists of Avalon does a good job explaining that half of this story takes place in a castle setting--beginning in Caerleon, and for the last half, Camelot. This more urban setting is used to represent the contemporary society that is ever changing, along with the characters within it. The confusion of fate and destiny, a major theme in the novel, are due to this new world that the characters have become consumed with. The other half of this story takes place in Avalon, the old/original world. Avalon is used represent the old world and values that are disappearing because it must
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The point of view shifts between the main women of the novel: Igraine, Viviane, Morgaine, Morgause and Gwenhwyfar. This is important because it shares the viewpoint of each woman, and each woman tells a different story that all impacts Arthur’s destiny. This book has been praised in the literary world because because it retells an old story from the perspective of the women. Karen Fuog makes a point in her essay Imprisoned in the Phallic Oak: Marion Zimmer Bradley and Merlin's Seductress, that the publisher's summary offers a text which is implicitly feminist: "Here is the magical legend of King Arthur, vividly retold through the eyes and lives of the women who wielded power from behind the throne" (i). Fuog goes on to explain that a label of feminism would not be completely inappropriate for this book, as Bradley is certainly attempting feminist themes (Fuog). In Fuog’s essay she states that Bradley “deliberately demystifies female sexuality and thereby deconstructs the notion of female Otherness; she gives her female characters power, not only as individuals, but also through the power structures in which they work” (Fuog). Throughout the novel, there are passages known as “Morgaine Speaks.” The article Overview: The Mists of Avalon, explains that in these passages, Morgaine reflects upon her life and reveals her memories of the events that unfold through the course of the book (“Overview”). These passages are set at some unspecified time in the future, long after the events of the book. The article then goes on to explain that the the italicized
The point of view shifts between the main women of the novel: Igraine, Viviane, Morgaine, Morgause and Gwenhwyfar. This is important because it shares the viewpoint of each woman, and each woman tells a different story that all impacts Arthur’s destiny. This book has been praised in the literary world because because it retells an old story from the perspective of the women. Karen Fuog makes a point in her essay Imprisoned in the Phallic Oak: Marion Zimmer Bradley and Merlin's Seductress, that the publisher's summary offers a text which is implicitly feminist: "Here is the magical legend of King Arthur, vividly retold through the eyes and lives of the women who wielded power from behind the throne" (i). Fuog goes on to explain that a label of feminism would not be completely inappropriate for this book, as Bradley is certainly attempting feminist themes (Fuog). In Fuog’s essay she states that Bradley “deliberately demystifies female sexuality and thereby deconstructs the notion of female Otherness; she gives her female characters power, not only as individuals, but also through the power structures in which they work” (Fuog). Throughout the novel, there are passages known as “Morgaine Speaks.” The article Overview: The Mists of Avalon, explains that in these passages, Morgaine reflects upon her life and reveals her memories of the events that unfold through the course of the book (“Overview”). These passages are set at some unspecified time in the future, long after the events of the book. The article then goes on to explain that the the italicized