Discuss characterization in White's book. Take Lancelot as your case study: a highly complex character, different from any other, moving constantly from brutality to kindness. Examine his relationship with the other characters of the novel, such as Arthur and Guinevere. Discuss who Lancelot really is and what moral message his journey brings forward. Consider the continuous conflict he deals with in his life, from his relationship with other people and God to his inner conflict. Examine how this conflict shapes but, at the same time, challenges his personality.
Examine the use of Jesus' Last Supper cup in the novel. Discuss what the Holy Grail stands for in the book and what it has come to represent today. Being portrayed as a supernatural power that can only be achieved with physical strength as well as clarity of the mind and soul, the Holy Grail seems to represent everything that King Arthur did not accomplish. Examine this, along with what the myth of the Holy Grail symbolizes today.
Analyze education and honor in White's fantasy novel. Think of the experienced Merlin educating Arthur on politics and war, teaching him how to be a leader, rather than a warrior. Discuss Merlin's theories on knowledge and mind versus physical power. Examine the moral and political context of Arthur's education and study the different political changes that Arthur experienced in his life, from totalitarianism to anarchy and socialism and his attitude toward them after having been educated by Merlin.
White's novel sends a strong antiwar message, but at the same time, most of the dramatic power of the book comes from the war scenes. Examine whether White contradicts himself or whether Arthur's attitude toward war and his desire to do the right thing make White's antiwar message even stronger. Discuss "Might for Right." From the beginning of the book, the relationship between strength and justice works as the background for every battle and war. Talk about Arthur's plan to eliminate war once and for all by entering and winning one massive war. Discuss Arthur's ideas on war and violence and how they help or contradict the novel's theme and purpose.