Its everywhere. It surrounds me and tracks me down like an unyielding shadow. I often ponder about this magical illusion that I am enveloped in, and find myself dumbfounded with the outcome. What is it? How can I rid of this “thing” that tugs on my sleeve and has me tied down relentlessly? Theres no explanation, its just there. Itlingers mysteriously above my head as if a lonely moon hung high in the midnight sky,illuminating a faint glimmer of mist above the surface of the dark pool water. I feel it now, and I felt it then after reading The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White.
An enchanting novel, it engulfed the reader in a powerful trance. Young Arthur went through a dramatic change in his life after coming upon Merlin, his future mentor and closest companion. He began to transform into a mature and respectable man; a work involved with more than magic; a work created through a strong basis of trust and love. “The love business is a powerful thing. I must say it is probably the greatest force on Earth. ” (p110) Merlin said this line with such assurance and confidence that young Arthur, formerly known as the Wart, only longed to believe that this statement was true.
He was unaccustomed to such “petty” things as love, in which he was blind to, so in the beginning, he was hesitant on Merlins teachings on the topic of love and trust. In his earlier years of his life, growing up for Arthur consisted of constant difficult hardships and inexplicable hate solely targeted at him by family members. He couldnt understand the reason why he received less attention and acclaim by his father, Sir Ector. Kay, his older brother was rude and annoyingly impatient with the Wart and often attended to him with foul language.
He acted in such hateful manners towards him because he was actually jealous of his younger brother: “The Wart loved hay-making, and was good at it. Kay, who was two years older, generally stood on the edge of the bundle of hay which he was trying to pick up, with the result that he worked twice as hard as the Wart for only half the result. But he hated to be beaten by anybody at anything and used to fight away with the wretched hay – which he loathed like poison – until he was sick. “(p. 1)
However, the Wart only longed to be needed for other purposes than for slave duties around the household. He longed desperately to be “accepted” by Sir Ector like Kay was: “. . . he [Kay] was Sir Ectors proper son. The Wart was not a proper son. He did not understand this, but it made him feel unhappy, because Kay seemed to regard it as making him feel inferior in some way . . . he admired Kay and was a born follower. He was a hero-worshipper. ” (p. 14) Upon meeting Merlin, Arthurs life was fully turned around.
Under the guidance and schooling of his wise teacher, he not only lea….. rned to read and write, but discovered the true definition of love. He even transformed Wart into various creatures, so that he may experience life from all points of view. New to the whole concept of love, young Arthur didnt think much about it at first. Nevertheless, he grew to realize that there was no way to avoid Merlins teachings. With him near, he was able to fight back his bottled up emotions and the distinct antipathy he had for Kay.
Unfortunately, Merlin could not stay glued to him through all hours of the day, so when Wart was apart from his master, hate found its way back and attacked its enemies, or enemy in this case; his older brother: “To look down at this beastly little onkey-affair off his great charger and to call me Squire! Oh, Merlin, give me patience with the brute, and stop me from throwing his filthy shilling in his face. ” (p. 280) Love overcame hate in the end. Arthur learned to be more patient and understanding of his brothers selfish needs and tried willingly to accept him as he was.
Instead of charging at him with unnecessary attempts, he thought up of excuses to make up for Kays ugly attitude: ” Poor Kay. All that shilling stuff was because he was scared and miserable, and now he has good cause to be. (p. 282) Near the end of the captivating story, magic was taking its course. It was destiny. After magically drawing the immensely large and giant like sword compared to Warts pint-sized shape, he was immediately titled as the rightful king of all of England. The words written on the stone clearly proclaimed “Whoso Pulleth Out This Sword and Anvil, is Rightwise King Born of All England. (p. 276)
Once he was recognized as the true ruler of the country, a new light was shined upon Arthurs family. Maybe it was out of fear, or out of greed, but something magical occurred when the Wart was no longer recognized by this name, but as King Arthur, high majesty of the courts. He saw that Sir Ector was looking powerless and old, and was more pained than shocked when he saw his father kneeling down before him with difficulty on his gouty old knee: “Oh, father, dont kneel down like that, because it breaks my heart. Please get up Sir Ector and dont make everything so horrible.
Oh dear, oh dear, I wish I had never seen that filthy sword at all. ” (p. 86) With this, Wart collapsed on the ground and burst into tears. It was everywhere. It surrounded them and engulfed them in a beautiful reunion. Love. Even through all of the painful struggles and agonizing pain Wart had encountered, he instantly chose to give up all of his fame and glory for his family. This action clearly illustrated the love he had all along for Sir Ector and Kay. The true passion which lay heavily in the air initiated a rekindling fire, one reflecting tenderness and compassion. It was definitely more than magic – it was love.