1. By: Olivia Spoon

2. Research Question

3. Bradley’s retelling depicts how the issue of chivalry, masculinity, and the patriarchal system supported in Middle Ages Christianity influences the women of the Arthurian narrative (McClain, 197). Analysis

4. Mists of Avalon can be best understood as a feminist retelling of the Arthurian narrative that depicts the effects of the culture clash between patriarchal and matriarchal societies. Analysis

5. Arthur’s conception Arthur’s rise as King Formation of round table Lancelot/Gwenhwyfar Camelot’s fall Igraine Viviane/Morgaine Morgaine Gwenhwyfar Morgaine

7. Christianity Domineering religion that requires belief in one God Affirms patriarchal society Marriage Religious leaders Worship Avalon (Celtic) Open religion that affirms many gods Affirms matriarchal society Marriage Religious leaders Worship

8. Critique of Christianity Patricius (Camelot’s most powerful Christian priest) His fundamentalism and misogyny forcefully removes the influence of Celtic tradition and abuses the female characters Critique of Celtic religion Viviane (also called Lady of the Lake and High Priestess of Avalon) Her loyalty to the Mother Goddess and Avalon causes her to use family without considering their feelings or emotional suffering

9. Bradley’s juxtaposition of matriarchal and patriarchal traditions calls for coexistence of both traditions, rather than the two warring against one another. Conclusion

10. Bradley, Marion Zimmer. The Mists of Avalon. New York: The Ballatine Publishing Group, 1982. Print Fry, Carrol L. “’What God Doth the Wizard Pray to:’ Neo- Pagan Witchcraft and Fantasy Fiction.” Extrapolation. 31.4. (1990): 334-347. Print. Malory, Thomas. New York: W.W. Norton & Compant, 2003. Print.

11. McClain, Lee Tobin. “Gender Anxiety in Arthurian Romance.” Extrapolation. 38.3 (1997): 193-199. Print. Saunders, Corinne. “Religion and magic” The Cambridge Companion to the Arthurian Legend. Ed. Elizabeth Archibald and Ad Putter. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 200. 201- 217. Print. Tobin, Lee Ann. “Why Change the Arthur Story? Marion Zimmer Bradley’s The Mists of Avalon.” Extrapolation. 34.2 (1993): 147- 157 Print.