1. T.H. White’s The Once and Future King
English II K

2. About the Author TH White was born in Bombay, India in 1906.
He graduated from Queen's College, Cambridge and began to write.
By the mid 1930’s, he had published several books including poetry under his name and under the pseudonym James Aston.
White lived to see his work produced as the Broadway musical Camelot and also animated into the Disney movie The Sword in the Stone.
Passed away while on a lecture tour in 1964 of a heart ailment.

3. Arthurian Influences
White was astonished by the depth and humanity of the characters in Malory’s The Morte d’Arthur.
He was inspired to write his own interpretation of the legend that acts as a compilation of various King Arthur stories.
In his work, White explores human nature and individual motivations resulting in complex characters that evolve and change.

4. The Once and Future King
The book deals heavily with philosophical concerns and particularly focuses on the concepts of might and right.
Might = Power through force
Right = Power through good
TOAFK expresses White’s conviction that people are basically good, but do not know how to direct their power towards positive ends.

5. The Sword in the Stone Published in 1938.
Deals with Arthur’s boyhood and early lessons with Merlyn.
Merlyn turns Arthur into various animals and he learns lessons about how these animals rule, behave, and view the world.
These lessons lay the groundwork for the type of ruler Arthur will be when he becomes king.

6. The Queen of Air and Darkness
Published in 1939.
Originally published under the title The Witch in the Wood.
Covers Arthur's early years as a king and his continued tutelage under Merlyn.
Arthur invents the Round Table, further explores the idea of “might vs. right”, and the Orkney faction is introduced.

7. The Ill-Made Knight Published in 1940.
Based around the adventures, perils, and mistakes of Sir Lancelot.
Lancelot’s relationship with Guinevere develops and causes various issues within his own life and the court at Camelot.
Arthur’s approach to ruling evolves.

8. The Candle in the Wind Published in 1958.
Details the last weeks of Arthur's reign, his dealings with his son (Mordred's) revolts, Guinevere and Lancelot's demise, and his perception of right and wrong.
Arthur redefines how he views the best use of his power as a king.