2. Post-WWI Britain  The effects of WWI made people ask the questions, “What should Britain be? What should it stand for?”  There was political upheaval—rise of fascism, Nazism, Edward VII’s abdication  This time period led to a number utopian and dystopian novels in response to the political atmosphere  Utopia: An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect  Dystopia: An imagined place or state of things in which everything is unpleasant or bad

3.  A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh (1926)  Aldous Huxley, Brave New World (1932)  P. L Travers, Mary Poppins (1934)  J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937)  T. H. White, The Sword in the Stone (1938-39)  George Orwell, Animal Farm (1945) This is the golden age of political commentary disguised as children’s books

4. T. H. White  Born in 1906 in Bombay  Educated at British public schools and Cambridge  Became a schoolmaster  Passionate pacifist  Pacifist: A person who believes that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any circumstances and that all disputes should be settled peacefully.

5.  England Have My Bones (1936)  Burke's Steerage or, The Amateur Gentleman's Introduction to Noble Sports and Pastimes (1938-1939)  The Sword in the Stone (1938-1939)  The Queen of Air and Darkness (1939)  The Ill-Made Knight (1940)  Mistress Masham's Repose (1946-1947)  The Book of Beasts, A Translation of a Medieval Bestiary (1954-1955)  The Candle in the Wind (1958)  The Once and Future King (1958)  The Book of Merlyn (1977 ) White’s Major Works

6. Basic Information on The Sword in the Stone  Genre: education novel (a plan of education is set forth for a young person)  Describes the political and emotional development of a young leader  Very formulaic plot: Loss separates hero from family Hero undergoes maturation and education Hero leaves safe haven for “real world”  You’ll learn about the hero’s journey in 10 th grade!

7. Basic Plot of The Sword in the Stone  The Wart is left with Sir Ector to be raised  He must be educated in preparation for his future  He must prove his abilities through a series of tests and challenges (under Merlyn’s guidance)  He must grow into leadership  He fulfills his destiny near the end of the novel What do you think the novel’s main motif is?

8. Important Characters  The Wart: Raised by Sir Ector at the Castle of the Forest Sauvage. He undergoes an education at the hands of Merlyn. "The Wart" is a nickname for "Art," and the Wart eventually becomes King Arthur.  Sir Ector: The Wart and Kay's father and a kind, good- humored landowner who is Lord of the Castle of the Forest Sauvage.  Kay: Sir Ector's eldest (and only natural) son. His stubbornness and craving for honor are revealed in many of his words and actions.

9. Important Characters Cont’d.  Merlyn: A wise and sometimes absent-minded magician who oversees the Wart's education.  Archimedes: Merlyn's talking owl, who teaches the Wart to fly.  Uther Pendragon: The demanding Norman King of all England. At the end of the novel, the Wart learns that Pendragon is his father.  King Pellinore: A comical figure who hunts after the Questing Beast (or "Beast Glatisant”).