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4/14-4/20 Book IV, Chapters 1-7
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Kristi
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Apr 14, 2014 08:14AM
Almost done! How do you feel the book is wrapping up?
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Only just started this section but my goodness, White is vicious about the Irish!
I've been reading diligently and am finding the tone of this portion to be the most serious...An undertone to Arthur's/Camelot demise? It's exciting to have reached the end, but at the same time I can't help but be saddened for what is to come. I am so taken with Arthur at this time and yet so confused by his taxing behavior when dealing with the affair...He's so in denial?!
I'm done with the book, so I will try to go from my memory. I think that Arthur, through his eagerness to be just to everyone, attributed a lot to the grief that ensued in this part. You cannot be just to everyone, because in the end your decision will still offend at least one party. Arthur needs to get a better grip of his rule and guide his people in the right direction (instead of letting them fight it out), but I guess that is the tragedy of the "just" king stuck in the "unjust" world.
Yes, I don't think Arthur is exactly in denial, but he thinks there are more important things than whether his wife is faithful to him.I see this section very much as a 'last ditch' British empire thing, with the comments about Ireland, India and so on. As an English person reading this, I find it quite uncomfortable, and too obviously of its time. (I mean the 1940s/50s, not Arthur's time!)
Rosemary wrote: "Yes, I don't think Arthur is exactly in denial, but he thinks there are more important things than whether his wife is faithful to him.I see this section very much as a 'last ditch' British empir..."
Yes, I agree with you...He's not in denial. It is a disillusionment with being just and its repercussions. Chapter 8 squashed my denial theory. Well, onwards and upwards...See all of you at the finish!
I don't know that it's denial so much as knowing what havoc the repercussions will reap upon the kingdom. My thoughts are more "it's about time they are caught" but at the same time I do feel for Arthur, and the mess he is doing to have to clean up.
