Comparison between A String in the Harp and The Once and Future King
...see visions from Taliesin, a hero from the time of bards. When confronted by his sister, Jen, about why Peter wore the mysterious key that hung around his neck, Peter replied, “’Why shouldn’t I?’ Peter demanded. ‘I can do what I like with it. It’s mine.’” (Bond, 78) Peter’s reply deceived his sister by changing the subject. His reply also dodges the question and the question. This quote shows Peter’s willingness to deceive his family, but his intentions are well thought out. Peter is trying to protect his family from the unknown. In comparison, Guenever is deceiving Arthur so she can continue to have an affair with Lancelot. In one example, both Lancelot and Guenever believe Arthur has gone away and both are safe. In reality, both were set up for a trap to catch them together. While saying their goodbyes, Guenever states her true feelings, “If you are killed, I shall not want to be rescued.” (White, 570) By stating her true feelings, one can see how her relationship with Arthur was second hand to her relationship to Lancelot. Guenever had been deceiving Arthur so she could be with Lancelot. Guenever’s deceived Arthur only so she could continue to stay with Lancelot. Both books have characters that use deception for different reasons, but the deception used in Nancy Bond’s A String in the Harp, was used for the benefit of all the characters in the book. In sharp contrast to that, the deception used in T.H. White’s The Once and Future King, was used for selfish reasons. In another example, Jen lies about the Harp key to protect others after she finds out about its true powers through first hand experience to the strange object. Dr. Owen, a museum curator, wants the key badly. Dr. Owen does not realize what kind of power the key has, so he would stop at nothing to acquire it. While being questioned about the key and its whereabouts, Jen lies to Dr. Owen for the wellbeing of others. Jen remained calm while being questioned and gave an answer that would ensure the safety of others. “She had to go with extreme caution; he would see through any deception. ‘No,’ she said finally.” (Bond, 322) Jen’s willingness to lie to Dr. Owen, even after he had tried to convince her of the benefits of relinquishing the whereabouts of the Harp key show she, like Peter, is concerned with the safety of others. That is in sharp contrast to T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Lancelot would also lie, so that he could get away with a lesser punishment from the church. Lancelot would blatantly lie to the church for his own personal benefit. In his statement to the church he would say go on to say this, “’Sir, I was sent for to my lady your Queen, I know not for what cause; but I was not so soon within the chamber door when immediately Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred beat up it, calling me a traitor and recreant knight.’” (White, 600) Both Jen and Lancelot lie, but Jen clearly lies for the safety of Dr. Owen and her brother. She could have become famous if she had relinquished the whereabouts of the key, but she stayed strong and lied. Lancelot, on the other hand, lied for his own personal benefit. His only concern was to reduce the punishment he was likely receive so he could once again meet with Guenever. Lancelot demonstrates the differences between the two books. Lying leads to many consequences. In A String in the Harp the ancient world of Taliesin was saved and preserved because of the efforts of Jen and Peter. Both Peter and Jen used dishonesty for the benefit of others around them and for the benefit of thos...