The moonstruck madness and learned gayety which so appealed to readers of Mr. White's "The Sword in the Stone" comes bubbling along just as merrily in ["The Witch in the Wood"]. What with the presence of old Merlyn, who remembers the future as well as the past, and the author's own habit of making time perfectly elastic, the adventures of Queen Morgause set down here assume a peculiarly sprightly air. Alone in her northern fortress, she takes a complicated beauty-bath and plans details of the role in which she will next dramatize herself. Shall it be the brave devoted little mother? Her ministrations to her children always confuse and sometimes terrify them. Or shall she decide to vamp a visiting knight? Whatever she elects, one may be sure that she alone will have a wonderful time, but hardly any one else will escape trouble. It is with considerable pleasure that we later see this feather-headed lady falling negligently through a hole in the ice or alarming her swains to the point of flight.
These are once more the days of King Arthur who is, however, only just beginning to see the reasons for having a Round Table. Lancelot is still a child. King Lot is about to do battle with Arthur, which is why he leaves Queen Morgause alone and so sets a lot of serious events in motion. Things generally are getting a little out of hand, there are too many stupid large knights careering round mischievously in armor, slashing at folks. The poorer people of England are in wretched plight. And yet, the author manages to convey fun and amusement are not lacking; human nature hasn't changed much. Obviously Mr. White knows a great deal about human nature and makes cunning use of his knowledge.
This is a free excerpt of 296 words. There are 574 words (approx.
2 pages at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our White, T(erence) H(anbury) 1906–1964: Critical Essay by Iris Barry Access Pass.
