From White to Walt, And the Wart Between Them

To know understand The Sword in the Stone, you need to know a little about T.H. White. He was a pacifist, "White makes the point repeatedly that violence/aggression is not the answer to life's trials" (Moulder). Writing this book just before the start of WWII, he uses the adventures as a way of showing the differences in governments, especially when Wart is transformed into animals. I think he was trying to teaching the world, what is the better choice.

First a little background on the main characters that play an important role in telling this tale. The most essential is the young Arthur or the "Wart," which he is called. His conflicts of the world around him are that backdrop for the l

The second animal form taken by Arthur is that of a Merlin (falcon). He is put into the mews where he meets the military based birds of prey. They had a knightly present around them, keeping themselves in high regard and perfection in what they do. To be accepted into the mews, Arthur need to past a few tests, to become an elite as the others. After everything was said and done, the falcons hailed him as "the King of Merlins." This was to show "Wart" the greatness that he will achieve. In another side adventure, this time with Kay, is when Arthur meets Robin Wood, also known as Robin Hood. Here they are sent on a mission to save a few friends from Morgan the Fay and the fairy folk. Having the two work together, you see a small bond between them and upon returning, you find that they are greatly missed and where worried about. Arthur, who was injured in the rescue, got confined to his room. But, wanting to learn, he has Merlyn change him into an ant. The seemed to be mindless drones and Arthur sees the fascism of their society, everything for the colony. "Wart's trip to the ant colony makes a powerful statement on how societies run the risk of becoming overly rigid and uniform" (Benson).

Through three life lessons, Wart learns to set his "sights on the heights," armed with the most powerful forces on earth -- intellect, wisdom, and love. When it's time to contest who will be king, Wart must use his newfound knowledge to do what no mighty knight has done before! (Disney)

The stories had not changed much. I believe that Disney was trying to make another Cinderella out of this movie, but this time using a male. They were using morals of life as a base for the adventures unlike White’s use of government. “Again, White states that it doesn't matter what government is in place, what truly matters is the kind of leader. As long as those in control are good and moral then the people will prosper” (Moulder). Both have been called a classic even though they are a half a century old. But I think that White is orientated to an older crowd, and Disney wanted to make something that children can understand.

Later Arthur wants to learn to fly, being changed into an owl, Archimedes, Merlyn’s talking owl, teaches him to fly. After a night of lessons, Merlyn takes Arthur to a wet land and changes him into a goose. Arthur meets a female goose where he learns of the geese with their no boundaries and total freedom. This is a complete opposite of the ant colony showing another extreme of governmental rule. The last animal transformation is around six years later, just before Kay is to be knighted. Merlyn informs Arthur that this will be the last time he'll become an animal and that after this his tutoring will be done. Arthur is turned into a badger and sent off to speak with a wise badger. Arthur takes his time getting there, to enjoy this final form, but eventually talks with him. Who gives a lesson in being happy with what one gets.

essons learned. Not knowing who his parents are, "Wart" is taken care of by his guardian, Sir Ector, on his lands near a forest who has a son of his own, Kay. A little older and self centered, Kay can be a bother to Arthur, but decent at heart. Tutor for both is the magician Merlyn. He is who sends "Wart" into many adventures, which help Arthur understand the struggles he is going through. Merlyn can be absentminded at times, but is very knowledgeable. We learn he lives time backwards and was born in the future. Another one that stands out is Sir P

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