Schoolgirls in King Arthur stories.

"He blinked repeatedly as flashbulbs went off, looked around the crowd facing him, and then saw Gwen standing in the back. He smiled to her, and she smiled back, almost schoolgirlishly..." (David, 172).

I like this scene a lot because it demonstrates the approach of the author really well. Its what we are used to seeing, just in a different context. Some might cringe a this, but I see this as a real understanding of the material, at least when it comes to lovey dovey side of things.

Morgaine's Quickly Abandoned Emotional Composure Is Relatable

I really enjoyed watching Morgaine's inner monologue as she falls from the rules of a priestess, to the whims of her own emotion in the Mists of Avalon. It happens within a few pages, and yet the shift from "he [Lancelot] has not recognized me either, keep it so." (141) to "I want him [Lancelot] to think me beautiful-- myself, not the glamour!" (143) happens smoothly, and I enjoyed the way it humanizes Morgaine. Later still, when Gwenhwyfar appears and whisks Lancelot's attention and affections away from her she "felt a surge of hatred so great that she thought she would faint with its force." (158) How quickly and strongly she devolves from the rules set upon her reminds us as readers that she is still a human and still rather young. She bends to her wants over her duty in a way that is very familiar and reminiscent of a dramatic teenager. Though I doubt any modern readers have come across a situation that mirrors Morgaine's experience exactly as I believe the number of people asked if they're actually fae to be very small, at it's most simplified she throws a fit in her head and retreats into a cold persona after being embarrassed and rejected, and I'd say that's pretty relatable.

Chivalry in Politics

In the Knight Life, King Arthur makes some very controversial claims while he is giving his press conference and while participating in the debate. Many of these are issues that he commented on are still issues that he sees today and I thought that it was something that are political leaders in the world could look at today. However, some of the things that I found interesting was how he handled himself during these moments. Before his press conference, he said to Gwen and Percival that he was going, "to be utterly candid and not lie" (David 174). I thought that this was interesting because it felt like he was almost following a code of chivalry at the podium, something that he would have remembered from his days as a King. I feel like this is something that we don't see with many politicians anymore, no matter the party, and it was an interesting aspect to look at. In addition, during the political debate, he also was very confused when the other candidates did not actually answer the question, "You didn't answer the ques... they didn't answer the question" (David, 258). I think that this is another thing that current politicians could take into consideration because nowadays they never answer the actual question. I think that King Arthur places an important role in that because he wants people to trust him as that was such an important aspect in Camelot.

Lancelot's Purpose

In the Mists of Avalon Lancelot states, "maybe when I go back to the real world, the Saxons will all have been vanquished... and gone" Morgaine replies with "And you will weep because there is no longer any reason for your life?" (155). I thought this quote was interesting because it reduces Lancelot's sole purpose to fighting. Do you think that this reduction of Lancelot is accurate?

Magic of Avalon

"'The mist and the reeds and the cry of water birds...and then the barge, like magic, gliding from the silent shore...I know there is nothing for me here, and yet, somehow, I always return..'" (Bradley)

This quote stood out to me because I related it right to Lancelot and how he also seemed to have to soul purpose of being in Camelot, yet he always found himself there in our readings.

harp strings and swords

One quote that caught my eye was on page 147, when Morgaine is describing Lancelot's physical appearance. She says, "...his slender hands, exquisitely shaped, fashioned for harp strings or weapon, but calloused just a little across palm and the insides of the fingers, more on the right than the left." What caught my eye in this line, other than the fact that it told us Lancelot is right handed, was the dichotomy between "harp strings" and "weapon." Harps are typically seen as a gentle, angelic instrument whereas weapons are, so to speak, instruments of death, and seen as anything but gentle. It's clear that Lancelot is caught between two worlds here, and he is the one bringing them together simply by existing. Perhaps this use of the words "harp strings and weapon" was to further elaborate on this point, of two opposite things colliding and coming together through one person.

King Arthur was Spittin'

"Yes, I've heard that. People don't trust the government enough. It's odd, though. If they don't trust the government, how is it they know that they can speak against it with impunity? They must trust it on some level. Besides, the entire matter is nonsense, if you ask me, which, I suppose, you have. If the government goes bad, handguns won't save you. Better to work together to support a good government than arm oneself against a bad one." (David, 177). 

I chose this quote because as I was finished reading this part I said, out loud, "damn, Arthur!" This guy is spitting serious facts. Throughout this entire story, I could really see that my beliefs lined up with Arthur Penn's. Perhaps that's why I liked his character so much.

*Also, as a second thought: why does this Arthur character remind me so much of Oliver Queen from Arrow??? And why do they lowkey look alike???