The Sword in the Stone Essay Questions

How is the aristocracy portrayed in the novel?

Throughout the novel, White humorously skewers the role of the upper class in medieval society. Whereas other depictions show knights and lords in a flattering and noble light, this novel offers a more balanced and honest look at the issues inherent to this class structure and the people who inhabit its upper tier. These criticisms are often directed at figures like Kay—individuals who are born into status but show little interest or aptitude for the activities and responsibilities that go along with this status, like hawking, tilting, and so on. What White reveals in this critical portrayal is the adverse impact of having wealth and status based in inheritance rather than merit.

What realization does Wart come to after the hunting scene?

Wart recognizes that a major aspect of hunting is its lack of a central purpose. The boar that they end up killing is only being pursued for sport and will ultimately serve no additional use beyond this. Likewise, he sees that the dog who dies in the pursuit of this boat was treated unjustly by the huntsman Twyti, as his life was wasted for this sport. This is a pivotal moment for Wart, as he realizes that wasteful violence and bloodshed are harmful and cruel. This becomes a key lesson for his education on rulership, as he comes to see this kind of wanton violence as wrong and will not partake in it.

What is the meaning of the voices that Wart hears in the moment he pulls the sword out of the stone?

In the climax of the story, Wart inadvertently finds the sword in the stone and pulls it free. He has difficulty initially, but is able to complete the task after hearing the voices of the many characters he encountered in his adventures. He takes their various pieces of advice and is able to take the sword out. This moment points to the broader arc of the narrative itself. Where his quests and lessons may have initially appeared haphazard or incidental, this moment reveals that they have all been leading up to this one particular moment, preparing him for his ultimate destiny as King Arthur.

What view does the book take on the idea of displays of strength?

The book takes issue with the "might makes right" school of leadership. Early on, Wart is nearly eaten by a pike who says a series of self-justifying things about his dominion over the pond. Similarly, the giant they encounter towards the end of the novel rules his land with an ironclad brutality, which falls apart as soon as he is not able to exercise force and violence on his subjects. The novel appears to take a dim view of these flashy demonstrations of strength and power, as it demonstrates that they are vicious and create unstable power dynamics.

What is the tone of the novel?

The tone of the novel is best described as thoughtful but also humorous. The narrator is always quick to use lighthearted figurative language or take note of a funny moment between two characters (most often Wart and Kay). At the same time, its embrace of fantastical and mystical elements often tilts the narrative toward a more awestruck tone. In striking a balance between these elements, the novel manages to elegantly capture Wart's experience of childhood wonder in conjunction with his progress toward the serious world of adults.