| The Ultimate Harry Potter Analysis Source |
| Choosing what is Right over what is Easy |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
From the very beginning of the story, we see that Wart is a good-
hearted boy. The opening incident has Kay and Wart tramping
through the woods looking for the young falcon they had released.
This bird is too young to have been properly trained, like them,
and must be brought back to the mews by hand. Kay gives up and
goes home. However, Wart stays in the forest all night long
waiting for the bird. We are able to see Wart’s sense of right and
duty.
When he meets the batty King Pellinore in the woods, who is
tracking the Questing Beast, Wart is friendly and generous,
offering the King a much-longed-for warm bed.
When Wart finally meets Merlyn, then, we already have a fairly
good sense of this 12-year-old boy.
Wart stumbles upon Merlyn’s cottage hidden away in the forest.
There he meets a talking owl, Archimedes, and is delighted by
Merlyn’s singing utensils that wash themselves (welcome to the
Burrow, Harry). After their breakfast together, Merlyn announces
that he will accompany Wart back and will be his new tutor.
This is a great scene that immediately introduces Merlyn as a
captivating, influential and magically potent character. It is
reminiscent of Dumbledore standing in the middle of Privet Drive
putting out lights, or even Hagrid’s reintroduction giving Dudley
a pig’s tail.
The impression of these characters on the reader is immediate,
accurate and enchanting.
Merlyn teaches by using magic and turning Wart into animals so he
can experience life in different forms of society. Now, remember,
Merlyn knows Arthur’s fate. There’s nothing that can be done to
change it, so why teach Arthur how to be a good king?
Because Arthur deserves the best chance he can get, and because
the people of England deserve a good king, a king to which all
others shall be judged.
And obviously the idea of a leader who has a pure heart and noble
intentions willing to put the needs of his people before his own
is an ideal that has pervaded history. It’s what we all search for
now, our King Arthur to lead us into a Golden Period.
Fish:
His first transformation plunges him into the castle moat where he
meets the fish king, Mr. P who teaches Wart that Might is Right.
Absolute power is the only thing that matters; kings must rule and
dominate their subjects.
Hawks, Ants and the REAL Joust:
Wart has an idealized view of fighting, warfare and the
knighthood. He longs to be a knight instead of just a lowly
squire. It is his great dream to earn honor and prestige by
fighting in wars and participating in tournaments.
Knowing what the future holds for Wart, Merlyn tries everything to
dissuade him from these glorified images. Also, it is the author’s
own critique of the military and warfare as White lived during the
surge toward WWII.
To teach the lessons and allow for White’s commentary, Merlyn
turns Wart into a hawk, an ant and allows him to watch a real
joust between King Pellinore and Sir Grummore.
As a hawk, Wart experiences a night in the mews under the strict
laws and rituals of this military society. He bravely faces a test
by standing by the wild Cully. In doing so, he shares a moment
with the crazed bird and realizes that Cully should be pitied, not
feared, for the bird has no control over himself anymore.
By this encounter, we see Wart is quick-witted and compassionate,
even under pressure.
With the ants, Wart learns more about the reality of war. The ants
live in a completely totalitarian society, they have no privacy –
even their thoughts and bodies are invaded by the collective.
If the hawk news were strict and ritualistic, the ants are the
finest example in the book of the facelessness and
disconnectedness of modern warfare. Each ant is just one of many
without personality or thoughts for themselves.
This is the key of White’s critique of warfare and the military.
Soldiers are faceless in a crowd and sent to their deaths with
seemingly little thought or care. Even Wart is startled by the
harsh reality.
Though a REAL joust had seemed so magical to him before, Warts
sees that the knights can barely move under the weight of their
armor.
They move awkwardly, unable to see through the helmet visors,
knocking each other down, if only by accident and then helping
each other back up. They spend more time arguing over the many
rules than actually jousting until finally managing to charge
successfully at each other, they are both totally knocked out.
Watching the futility of the joust, Wart worries over the well-
being of the two close friends, King Pellinore and Sir Grummore.
Though Merlyn finds it all very amusing, Wart’s eyes are still
filled with awe even through his concern.
Geese & Badgers:
With the geese, Wart experiences a life of freedom without borders
or war. These birds move away or form groups without aggression,
interference from outside forces or knowledge of fighting.
Wart asks about it and inadvertently offends his new friend, Lyo-
lyok. The goose at first doesn’t understand his meaning, but then
is shocked that Wart would speak of such awful things.
Wart’s time is peaceful and he enjoys this time above almost all
the others. He spends with the geese what feels like months and is
startled to wake up in his room the next morning.
His time with the badger is his last transformation. The badger
reads to Wart from his thesis and confronts Wart with the idea
that humans are the greatest of all the earth’s creations because
they alone have the ingenuity to perform all the abilities of all
the other creatures of the earth. The humans’ one flaw is war.
Wart disagrees that war is a failing. He still stubbornly holds to
his view of the glory and glamour of fighting. Though too young to
really understand the message, the badger asks Wart a simple
question as a counterargument: “Which did you like best,” he
asked, “the ants or the wild geese?”
Even with all the lessons and all his experiences in the different
forms of society, Wart ends his transformations with the same
idolization of the knighthood, though now he has the potential to
draw on his lessons in the future.
However thick-headed Wart can be about the idea of war, his
emotional range is still greater than Ron Weasley’s teaspoon. When
Wart and Kay fight, Wart realizes his ‘brother’ is feeling left
out and tries to make amends.
Though it’s not clear whether Kay (like Ron) would care to do the
same in return for Wart (or Harry), our hero is so pure-hearted it
truly upsets him to know how hurt his friend is by the private
lessons.
Merlyn appeases Wart’s wish, though he gives an ominous warning
“what is good for you might be bad for him”, and sends both of
them out for an adventure together.
The boys meet Robin Wood (the real life Robin Hood) in the forest.
Robin, Marian, Little John and the rest of the gang are all
present and waiting for the boys. They must break in to castle
protected by the ‘old ones’ who have stolen one of Robin’s men and
Wat from Sir Ector’s castle. This is a rescue mission.
Only children can enter the castle so the boys must go alone. The
‘old ones’ are fairies descended from the original inhabitants of
England and led by none other than Morgan le Fey; they are angry
that their land has been usurped. This is mostly a metaphor for
the Orkney clan which will bring about the demise of Arthur as an
adult.
Note: This Morgan is not the ultimate villain of the story. The
real baddie, Morgause, is in Book Two. Their roles have been mixed
and blurred in retellings and over time. Many attribute Morgause’s
actions to Morgan; the two are sisters and therefore both the half-
sisters of Arthur, but Morgause is the one with the black soul and
plot to destroy.
The boys wrangle the fairies with iron. The rescue is a success,
only the griffin protector of the castle chases after them in
their escape. Kay shoots down the beast and claims its head as a
trophy.
Here again we see the differences between the boys and Wart’s good
character. He is brave and kind. Brave in the rescue efforts and
when offered a trophy he does not seek a symbol of destruction,
like Kay, he wishes for the benefit of another.
Wart asks for Wat to be returned to his senses and have his nose
replaced so he can live happily amongst his own kind in Sir
Ector’s castle. Wart genuinely cares for the well-being of others.
He yearns to protect others.
I’m going to include this quote as well because I think this theme
is a very important one, one that often gets overlooked.
King Pellinore is in a constant quest for the “Questing Beast”
which is said to be another example of White’s critique of the
knighthood and rituals. I think with just a slightly deeper look
the reader can take away another, more important (to me) message.
Sometimes you just have to believe in it, against all odds and
practicality, to make it real.
Like the ‘Nothing’ in the Never-Ending Story: sometimes the very
existence of something relies on the strength of the believer’s
faith. And I’m guessing if you’re still reading this you were one
of those kids who clapped and cheered for Tinkerbell calling out,
“I do believe in Fairies!”
It’s an important message echoed in almost every great piece of
fantasy writing. It has its origins in religion. Faith, even when
all is dark and hope is hard to find, faith is the hero’s gift,
the strength of one’s convictions, one’s core knowledge of right
or wrong – right over easy, makes the champion. It is what
elevates humans into those shining beacons of hope, honor and
love, called heroes.
I believe in fairies and wizards and therefore my world will
forever be filled with magic.
More evidence that Kay and Wart are “spiritual ancestors” of Ron
and Harry:
Tell me the truth, if I didn’t tell you this next section was a
description of Kay would you not think that it could be Ron?
The only real difference there is that I never got the impression
Ron didn’t enjoy making jokes at other people’s expenses.
The beauty of Harry’s inner monologue after not receiving the
Prefect’s Badge in Book Five is unbeatable to me, but the honesty
is just a poignant here. Even the reasoning the orphans use is
similar. Catching the self-pity and reminding themselves that it’s
not as bad as it seems. Both authors get an ‘A’ from me on this.
So now you’ve learned the Wart’s lessons with him, now you’ve
graduated to Book Two and so starts the introduction of the dark
elements at work in this story.
Wart has been able to pull the sword from the stone only with the
help and love of all his friends. Yes, folks, it is their love
that makes him strong enough. Hmmm, persistent theme, that.
In fact, Wart couldn’t move the sword until all his friends appear
around him like apparitions emerging from the cloth banners,
wooden shields, dust and fog around him. They each encourage him
and remind him of the lessons they taught him. Putting together
all the lessons, Wart is finally able to move forward.
Rowling didn’t steal the scene directly, but she did borrow or pay
homage to White’s idea. When, you ask...I’m thinking of Book 7
here, when Harry gets walked to his fate by those who love him,
fought and gave their lives for him.
And so Book One ends with Wart’s coronation and Merlyn returning
to tell him the truth of his birth.
Here are the important things to remember established in Book One:
hearted boy. The opening incident has Kay and Wart tramping
through the woods looking for the young falcon they had released.
This bird is too young to have been properly trained, like them,
and must be brought back to the mews by hand. Kay gives up and
goes home. However, Wart stays in the forest all night long
waiting for the bird. We are able to see Wart’s sense of right and
duty.
When he meets the batty King Pellinore in the woods, who is
tracking the Questing Beast, Wart is friendly and generous,
offering the King a much-longed-for warm bed.
When Wart finally meets Merlyn, then, we already have a fairly
good sense of this 12-year-old boy.
Wart stumbles upon Merlyn’s cottage hidden away in the forest.
There he meets a talking owl, Archimedes, and is delighted by
Merlyn’s singing utensils that wash themselves (welcome to the
Burrow, Harry). After their breakfast together, Merlyn announces
that he will accompany Wart back and will be his new tutor.
This is a great scene that immediately introduces Merlyn as a
captivating, influential and magically potent character. It is
reminiscent of Dumbledore standing in the middle of Privet Drive
putting out lights, or even Hagrid’s reintroduction giving Dudley
a pig’s tail.
The impression of these characters on the reader is immediate,
accurate and enchanting.
Merlyn teaches by using magic and turning Wart into animals so he
can experience life in different forms of society. Now, remember,
Merlyn knows Arthur’s fate. There’s nothing that can be done to
change it, so why teach Arthur how to be a good king?
Because Arthur deserves the best chance he can get, and because
the people of England deserve a good king, a king to which all
others shall be judged.
And obviously the idea of a leader who has a pure heart and noble
intentions willing to put the needs of his people before his own
is an ideal that has pervaded history. It’s what we all search for
now, our King Arthur to lead us into a Golden Period.
Fish:
His first transformation plunges him into the castle moat where he
meets the fish king, Mr. P who teaches Wart that Might is Right.
Absolute power is the only thing that matters; kings must rule and
dominate their subjects.
Hawks, Ants and the REAL Joust:
Wart has an idealized view of fighting, warfare and the
knighthood. He longs to be a knight instead of just a lowly
squire. It is his great dream to earn honor and prestige by
fighting in wars and participating in tournaments.
Knowing what the future holds for Wart, Merlyn tries everything to
dissuade him from these glorified images. Also, it is the author’s
own critique of the military and warfare as White lived during the
surge toward WWII.
To teach the lessons and allow for White’s commentary, Merlyn
turns Wart into a hawk, an ant and allows him to watch a real
joust between King Pellinore and Sir Grummore.
As a hawk, Wart experiences a night in the mews under the strict
laws and rituals of this military society. He bravely faces a test
by standing by the wild Cully. In doing so, he shares a moment
with the crazed bird and realizes that Cully should be pitied, not
feared, for the bird has no control over himself anymore.
By this encounter, we see Wart is quick-witted and compassionate,
even under pressure.
With the ants, Wart learns more about the reality of war. The ants
live in a completely totalitarian society, they have no privacy –
even their thoughts and bodies are invaded by the collective.
If the hawk news were strict and ritualistic, the ants are the
finest example in the book of the facelessness and
disconnectedness of modern warfare. Each ant is just one of many
without personality or thoughts for themselves.
This is the key of White’s critique of warfare and the military.
Soldiers are faceless in a crowd and sent to their deaths with
seemingly little thought or care. Even Wart is startled by the
harsh reality.
Though a REAL joust had seemed so magical to him before, Warts
sees that the knights can barely move under the weight of their
armor.
They move awkwardly, unable to see through the helmet visors,
knocking each other down, if only by accident and then helping
each other back up. They spend more time arguing over the many
rules than actually jousting until finally managing to charge
successfully at each other, they are both totally knocked out.
Watching the futility of the joust, Wart worries over the well-
being of the two close friends, King Pellinore and Sir Grummore.
Though Merlyn finds it all very amusing, Wart’s eyes are still
filled with awe even through his concern.
Geese & Badgers:
With the geese, Wart experiences a life of freedom without borders
or war. These birds move away or form groups without aggression,
interference from outside forces or knowledge of fighting.
Wart asks about it and inadvertently offends his new friend, Lyo-
lyok. The goose at first doesn’t understand his meaning, but then
is shocked that Wart would speak of such awful things.
Wart’s time is peaceful and he enjoys this time above almost all
the others. He spends with the geese what feels like months and is
startled to wake up in his room the next morning.
His time with the badger is his last transformation. The badger
reads to Wart from his thesis and confronts Wart with the idea
that humans are the greatest of all the earth’s creations because
they alone have the ingenuity to perform all the abilities of all
the other creatures of the earth. The humans’ one flaw is war.
Wart disagrees that war is a failing. He still stubbornly holds to
his view of the glory and glamour of fighting. Though too young to
really understand the message, the badger asks Wart a simple
question as a counterargument: “Which did you like best,” he
asked, “the ants or the wild geese?”
Even with all the lessons and all his experiences in the different
forms of society, Wart ends his transformations with the same
idolization of the knighthood, though now he has the potential to
draw on his lessons in the future.
However thick-headed Wart can be about the idea of war, his
emotional range is still greater than Ron Weasley’s teaspoon. When
Wart and Kay fight, Wart realizes his ‘brother’ is feeling left
out and tries to make amends.
Though it’s not clear whether Kay (like Ron) would care to do the
same in return for Wart (or Harry), our hero is so pure-hearted it
truly upsets him to know how hurt his friend is by the private
lessons.
Merlyn appeases Wart’s wish, though he gives an ominous warning
“what is good for you might be bad for him”, and sends both of
them out for an adventure together.
The boys meet Robin Wood (the real life Robin Hood) in the forest.
Robin, Marian, Little John and the rest of the gang are all
present and waiting for the boys. They must break in to castle
protected by the ‘old ones’ who have stolen one of Robin’s men and
Wat from Sir Ector’s castle. This is a rescue mission.
Only children can enter the castle so the boys must go alone. The
‘old ones’ are fairies descended from the original inhabitants of
England and led by none other than Morgan le Fey; they are angry
that their land has been usurped. This is mostly a metaphor for
the Orkney clan which will bring about the demise of Arthur as an
adult.
Note: This Morgan is not the ultimate villain of the story. The
real baddie, Morgause, is in Book Two. Their roles have been mixed
and blurred in retellings and over time. Many attribute Morgause’s
actions to Morgan; the two are sisters and therefore both the half-
sisters of Arthur, but Morgause is the one with the black soul and
plot to destroy.
The boys wrangle the fairies with iron. The rescue is a success,
only the griffin protector of the castle chases after them in
their escape. Kay shoots down the beast and claims its head as a
trophy.
Here again we see the differences between the boys and Wart’s good
character. He is brave and kind. Brave in the rescue efforts and
when offered a trophy he does not seek a symbol of destruction,
like Kay, he wishes for the benefit of another.
Wart asks for Wat to be returned to his senses and have his nose
replaced so he can live happily amongst his own kind in Sir
Ector’s castle. Wart genuinely cares for the well-being of others.
He yearns to protect others.
I’m going to include this quote as well because I think this theme
is a very important one, one that often gets overlooked.
King Pellinore is in a constant quest for the “Questing Beast”
which is said to be another example of White’s critique of the
knighthood and rituals. I think with just a slightly deeper look
the reader can take away another, more important (to me) message.
Sometimes you just have to believe in it, against all odds and
practicality, to make it real.
Like the ‘Nothing’ in the Never-Ending Story: sometimes the very
existence of something relies on the strength of the believer’s
faith. And I’m guessing if you’re still reading this you were one
of those kids who clapped and cheered for Tinkerbell calling out,
“I do believe in Fairies!”
It’s an important message echoed in almost every great piece of
fantasy writing. It has its origins in religion. Faith, even when
all is dark and hope is hard to find, faith is the hero’s gift,
the strength of one’s convictions, one’s core knowledge of right
or wrong – right over easy, makes the champion. It is what
elevates humans into those shining beacons of hope, honor and
love, called heroes.
I believe in fairies and wizards and therefore my world will
forever be filled with magic.
More evidence that Kay and Wart are “spiritual ancestors” of Ron
and Harry:
Tell me the truth, if I didn’t tell you this next section was a
description of Kay would you not think that it could be Ron?
The only real difference there is that I never got the impression
Ron didn’t enjoy making jokes at other people’s expenses.
The beauty of Harry’s inner monologue after not receiving the
Prefect’s Badge in Book Five is unbeatable to me, but the honesty
is just a poignant here. Even the reasoning the orphans use is
similar. Catching the self-pity and reminding themselves that it’s
not as bad as it seems. Both authors get an ‘A’ from me on this.
So now you’ve learned the Wart’s lessons with him, now you’ve
graduated to Book Two and so starts the introduction of the dark
elements at work in this story.
Wart has been able to pull the sword from the stone only with the
help and love of all his friends. Yes, folks, it is their love
that makes him strong enough. Hmmm, persistent theme, that.
In fact, Wart couldn’t move the sword until all his friends appear
around him like apparitions emerging from the cloth banners,
wooden shields, dust and fog around him. They each encourage him
and remind him of the lessons they taught him. Putting together
all the lessons, Wart is finally able to move forward.
Rowling didn’t steal the scene directly, but she did borrow or pay
homage to White’s idea. When, you ask...I’m thinking of Book 7
here, when Harry gets walked to his fate by those who love him,
fought and gave their lives for him.
And so Book One ends with Wart’s coronation and Merlyn returning
to tell him the truth of his birth.
Here are the important things to remember established in Book One:
- - Wart’s a good-natured boy with a pure heart.
- There is some rivalry between Wart and Kay, but underneath
- it all they are trusted friends.
- - Merlyn is magical and knows the future.
- Wart, through his magical transformations and lessons from
- Merlyn, has been prepared to be an excellent young man and
King.
- - Morgan le Fey is a witch and part of the clan that opposes
- the Pendragons.
- - Merlyn has tried many times to convince Wart that it is
- much safer to be a squire, that the knighthood isn’t as
glamorous as it seems.
- - Wart still believes that battle, the knighthood and war is
- glorious and fun.
- - Wart is the newly crowned King of England.
- Love has made it possible for Wart to achieve his
- birthright.
- - Sir Kay will be one of his first knights and Merlyn has
- returned to guide Wart on this new journey.
|
- “If I were to be made a knight,” said the Wart,
my vigil by myself, as Hob does with his hawks, and I
should pray to God to let me encounter all the evil in
the world in my own person, so that if I conquered there
would be none left, and, if I were defeated, I would be
the one to suffer for it.”
| The Once and Future King Book One, Chapter 20 |
- Kay had a longer reach and a heavier fist. He
anything else, and the Wart smacked his own eye upon the
end of it. ... The Wart began to sob and pant. He managed
to get in a blow upon his opponent’s nose, and this began
to bleed. Kay … turned his back on the Wart, and said in
a cold, snuffing, reproachful voice, “Now
it’s bleeding.” The battle was over.
- ...
- Presently Kay turned over on his face and began to
never does anything for me.”
- At this the Wart felt he had been a beast. He
magician.
| The Once and Future King Book One, Chapter 9 |
“I did not mean to leave you altogether. It was only
because I wanted to sleep in a feather bed, just for a
bit. I was coming back, honestly I was. Oh, please don’t
die, Beast, and leave me without any fewmets!”
pined away, positively pined away, just because there was
nobody to take an interest in it...”
each other with swords. I happened on it [the Beast] with
... tears in its eyes and nobody to care for it in the
wide world. It’s what comes of not leading a regular
life. ... We got up at the same time, and quested for
regular hours, and went to bed at half past ten. ... It
has gone to pieces altogether, and it will be your fault
if it dies. You and your bed.”
because I wanted to sleep in a feather bed, just for a
bit. I was coming back, honestly I was. Oh, please don’t
die, Beast, and leave me without any fewmets!”
- ...
pined away, positively pined away, just because there was
nobody to take an interest in it...”
- ...
each other with swords. I happened on it [the Beast] with
... tears in its eyes and nobody to care for it in the
wide world. It’s what comes of not leading a regular
life. ... We got up at the same time, and quested for
regular hours, and went to bed at half past ten. ... It
has gone to pieces altogether, and it will be your fault
if it dies. You and your bed.”
| The Once and Future King Book One, Chapter 16 |
- As years went by, Kay became more difficult. He
accurately with it either. He lost his temper and
challenged nearly everybody to have a fight, and in those
few cases where he did actually have the fight he was
invariable beaten. Also he became sarcastic. He made the
sergeant miserable by nagging about his stomach, and went
on at the Wart about his father and mother when Sir Ector
was not about. He did not seem to want to do this. It was
as if he disliked it, but could not help it.
| The Once and Future King Book One, Chapter 20 |
- “Well, I am a Cinderella now,” he said to himself.
reason, up to the present time – in our education – now I
must pay for my past pleasures and for seeing all those
delightful dragons, witches, fishes, cameleopards,
pismires, wild geese and such like, by being a second-
rate squire and holding Kay’s extra spears for him, while
he hoves by some well or other and jousts with all
comers. Never mind, I have had a good time while it
lasted, and it is not such bad fun being a Cinderella,
when you can do it in a kitchen which has a fireplace big
enough to roast an ox.”
| The Once and Future King Book One, Chapter 20 |
“... I was not allowed to tell you before, or since,
but your father was, or will be, King Uther Pendragon,
and it was I myself, disguised as a beggar, who first
carried you to Sir Ector’s castle, in your golden
swaddling bands. I know all about your birth and
parentage, and who gave you your real name. I know the
sorrows before you, and the joys, and how there will
never again be anybody who dares to call you by the
friendly name of Wart. In future it will be your glorious
doom to take up the burden and to enjoy the nobility of
your proper title: so now I shall crave the privilege of
being the very first of your subjects to address you with
it – as my dear liege lord, King Arthur.”
but your father was, or will be, King Uther Pendragon,
and it was I myself, disguised as a beggar, who first
carried you to Sir Ector’s castle, in your golden
swaddling bands. I know all about your birth and
parentage, and who gave you your real name. I know the
sorrows before you, and the joys, and how there will
never again be anybody who dares to call you by the
friendly name of Wart. In future it will be your glorious
doom to take up the burden and to enjoy the nobility of
your proper title: so now I shall crave the privilege of
being the very first of your subjects to address you with
it – as my dear liege lord, King Arthur.”
- “Will you stay with me for a long time?” asked the
- “Yes, Wart,” said Merlyn. “Or rather...Yes, King
Arthur."
| The Once and Future King Book One, Chapter 20 |
| Copyright © 2007 | www.booksandwands.com | All Rights Reserved Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Warner Brothers Entertainment. No copyright infringement intended of any and all source material. No profits were made from this site. The Once and Future King belongs to the estate of T.H. White and its publishers worldwide. |
| To Be Continued... |
