T.H. White and the matter of Lancelot.

In this thesis, I discuss T.H. White's Arthurian work, The Once and Future King, with emphasis on its treatment of modern issues. The Once and Future King is White's statement against war, and White uses the chivalric code and the knights of the Round Table to show the brutality and the ultimately self-destructive nature of warlike societies. Departing from the traditional medieval view of King Arthur and Sir Lancelot, White recreates these two main characters for his time. Arthur becomes a social planner, and Lancelot becomes an ugly, sadistic ill-made knight. White's transformation of these two characters reflects the "modern" preoccupation with the individual's search for meaning and with society's upheavals. In evaluating White's Lancelot as a modern hero, I rely on the nine traits of the modern hero suggested by Irving Howe in The Idea of the Modern. The modern hero begins as a brave man who believes in action. However, the hero recognizes his inability to make a difference in the modern world. In forsaking the world which is beyond changing, the hero directs his energies inward and begins the process of changing himself. In the end, the modern hero discovers that there are no heroes. Paradoxically, however, the hero's confrontation of this discovery makes him heroic. White's Lancelot is troubled without being undignified. Lancelot fails to maintain his knightly code, he fails to bring about any permanent change in the world, and he fails to resist Guinevere. However, Lancelot overcomes his cruelty and sadism, and he faces the consequences of his adultery and his immorality with heroic courage. In his triumph over the darkness within himself, Lancelot finds a sense of fulfillment and peace which is rare in the modern age.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Dumford, John R.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Barcus, James E., 1938-

• White, T. H. (Terence Hanbury), 1906-1964 -- Criticism and interpretation.
• White, T. H. (Terence Hanbury), 1906-1964. Once and future king.
• Lancelot (Legendary character)

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14456

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/14456