Genre
Young-adult fiction; Fantasy
Setting and Context
The novel is set in Arthurian England.
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is told from a third-person point of view with a perspective that stays fairly close to Wart.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the story is both comic and wise. The mood is mystical and wistful.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Wart is the protagonist of the novel. Kay is in a sense the overall antagonist, but there are also local instances of antagonists in particular chapters, such as Madame Mim, the griffins, and Queen Morgan.
Major Conflict
The major conflict in the novel is Wart's desire to be something more than Kay's squire.
Climax
The climax of the narrative occurs when Wart pulls the sword from the stone and is named king.
Foreshadowing
The fact that Merlyn singles out Wart for special, magical instruction foreshadows that he will become king.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
The story alludes to other characters from Arthurian legend such as Robin Hood and Queen Morgan.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
