Significant Topics
Double Standards
Throughout the story, there are two lands that are increasingly at odds with each other: Britain and Avalon. Britain is ushering in the newer, Christian ways of the land, while Avalon still pays homage to the Goddess and the old ways of the land. As Christianity spreads through the country, more and more people believe that those from Avalon, or schooled in the ways of Avalon are witches, sorcerers, or pagans. While those that practice the old religion are true to their ways, those that call themselves Christians have double standards. While the Christians are quick to put down the pagans and be pious, they are also the first ones to seek a love potion or a charm of some sort.
Gwenhwyfar is the most noted character who has double standards. She is overly pious to the point where she convinces Arthur to abandon his heathenish ways and completely embrace Christianity in order to be absolved of sins. In addition, she is fiercely determined to obtain a charm from Morgaine that will enable her to conceive a child to ensure the succession of the throne. Another person who stands out as having double standards is Elaine, Gwenhwyfar's cousin. Elaine sees herself as a good Christian woman and is quick to put down those who practice the old religion. However, she convinces Morgaine to create a love potion for her that will trick Lancelet into marrying her. It is interesting to note how it is largely the Christians that have such double standards.
Predictions of the Future
The power behind the story works through the women, and some select men, of Avalon, as they use the Sight to know what the future holds in store for them. This is something that many cling to as a useful tool. It is sometimes an innocuous vision of a visitor approaching, so that people may be prepared for them and offer a warm welcome. Examples of this are when Viviane and the Merlin came to visit Igraine in the beginning of the story, or when Viviane, Kevin, and Niniane go to visit Gwydion in Lothian years later. Sometimes predictions signal that dangerous times lay ahead, so caution must be exercised, such as when the fairy queen warns Morgaine while she is pregnant with Gwydion. It is also sometimes just mystifying, as though the messages do not yet make sense.
It is interesting to note that each time someone has a vision or a telling dream, it brings specific events to light. However, as the end of the story demonstrates, all the actions taken as a result of these visions could have gone been left undone because things turn out as the Goddess has willed it anyway. It appears as though individuals such as Viviane and Morgaine believe that it is up to them to make the predictions come true when they have an experience with the Sight. This hardly seems to be the case. Again, as the book's ending suggests, they could have saved much of their energy by doing nothing and allowing nature to take its course. It seems as though the will of the Goddess happens no matter what machinations humans use to change outcomes. For example, Viviane believes the prophecy that Arthur will restore Avalon and right the wrongs done to Avalon, so she does everything in her power to ensure that Arthur will rule. However, the prophecy does not come true, and Arthur does nothing to help Avalon. Although, regardless of what he does or does not do, it is meant to be that Avalon goes further back into the mists, and the two worlds separate for good.
Male Dominance
Many times throughout the story it is demonstrated that men are more important than women in the age of Camelot. In various conversations between Gorlois and Igraine, Arthur and Uriens, Lancelet and Viviane, the men say that there are things woman just can not understand because their minds are not like men's minds. There are several disadvantages to being a woman in Arthurian times. For instance, most marriages are arranged, and, therefore, the women have no say as to who they marry. They are treated as chattel to be bought off or sold for a dowry to the highest bidder. They are told what to do and are compelled to be obedient. It is their duty to go along with what they are told. In cases where the women do speak out, they are either broken into submission or other men remind their husbands to keep their wives in check.
Over and over it is mentioned how important it is for men to have sons. Even if women give birth to a daughter, they are not as recognized as having produced an heir unless there is a son. The feeling that comes across is that having a boy is good, but having a girl is useless. Even in the case of the High King, there must be a male heir or another male will inherit the throne. Yet another matter is the way women are looked down upon because Eve is looked down upon as the first sinner. In Arthur's day, women are seen as sinners. This is because Eve is guilty of the first sin, and women are therefore forever tainted by that original sin.
Throughout the story, there are two lands that are increasingly at odds with each other: Britain and Avalon. Britain is ushering in the newer, Christian ways of the land, while Avalon still pays homage to the Goddess and the old ways of the land. As Christianity spreads through the country, more and more people believe that those from Avalon, or schooled in the ways of Avalon are witches, sorcerers, or pagans. While those that practice the old religion are true to their ways, those that call themselves Christians have double standards. While the Christians are quick to put down the pagans and be pious, they are also the first ones to seek a love potion or a charm of some sort.
Gwenhwyfar is the most noted character who has double standards. She is overly pious to the point where she convinces Arthur to abandon his heathenish ways and completely embrace Christianity in order to be absolved of sins. In addition, she is fiercely determined to obtain a charm from Morgaine that will enable her to conceive a child to ensure the succession of the throne. Another person who stands out as having double standards is Elaine, Gwenhwyfar's cousin. Elaine sees herself as a good Christian woman and is quick to put down those who practice the old religion. However, she convinces Morgaine to create a love potion for her that will trick Lancelet into marrying her. It is interesting to note how it is largely the Christians that have such double standards.
Predictions of the Future
The power behind the story works through the women, and some select men, of Avalon, as they use the Sight to know what the future holds in store for them. This is something that many cling to as a useful tool. It is sometimes an innocuous vision of a visitor approaching, so that people may be prepared for them and offer a warm welcome. Examples of this are when Viviane and the Merlin came to visit Igraine in the beginning of the story, or when Viviane, Kevin, and Niniane go to visit Gwydion in Lothian years later. Sometimes predictions signal that dangerous times lay ahead, so caution must be exercised, such as when the fairy queen warns Morgaine while she is pregnant with Gwydion. It is also sometimes just mystifying, as though the messages do not yet make sense.
It is interesting to note that each time someone has a vision or a telling dream, it brings specific events to light. However, as the end of the story demonstrates, all the actions taken as a result of these visions could have gone been left undone because things turn out as the Goddess has willed it anyway. It appears as though individuals such as Viviane and Morgaine believe that it is up to them to make the predictions come true when they have an experience with the Sight. This hardly seems to be the case. Again, as the book's ending suggests, they could have saved much of their energy by doing nothing and allowing nature to take its course. It seems as though the will of the Goddess happens no matter what machinations humans use to change outcomes. For example, Viviane believes the prophecy that Arthur will restore Avalon and right the wrongs done to Avalon, so she does everything in her power to ensure that Arthur will rule. However, the prophecy does not come true, and Arthur does nothing to help Avalon. Although, regardless of what he does or does not do, it is meant to be that Avalon goes further back into the mists, and the two worlds separate for good.
Male Dominance
Many times throughout the story it is demonstrated that men are more important than women in the age of Camelot. In various conversations between Gorlois and Igraine, Arthur and Uriens, Lancelet and Viviane, the men say that there are things woman just can not understand because their minds are not like men's minds. There are several disadvantages to being a woman in Arthurian times. For instance, most marriages are arranged, and, therefore, the women have no say as to who they marry. They are treated as chattel to be bought off or sold for a dowry to the highest bidder. They are told what to do and are compelled to be obedient. It is their duty to go along with what they are told. In cases where the women do speak out, they are either broken into submission or other men remind their husbands to keep their wives in check.
Over and over it is mentioned how important it is for men to have sons. Even if women give birth to a daughter, they are not as recognized as having produced an heir unless there is a son. The feeling that comes across is that having a boy is good, but having a girl is useless. Even in the case of the High King, there must be a male heir or another male will inherit the throne. Yet another matter is the way women are looked down upon because Eve is looked down upon as the first sinner. In Arthur's day, women are seen as sinners. This is because Eve is guilty of the first sin, and women are therefore forever tainted by that original sin.