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Book 3, Chapter 20
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Once and Future King, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Chivalry, Satire & Medieval Life
Fate (Time)
Quest and The Holy Grail
Might vs. Right
War
Summary
Analysis
The following morning Elaine is walking in the castle garden with Galahad. She does not grieve for Lancelot; she barely thinks about him now. One of the girls beckons her over—there is a man sleeping by the well. Elaine recognizes Lancelot immediately; last night, Lancelot had washed his face and tried to clean up his hair and he is lying in a royal gown. Elaine kneels beside Lancelot and looks at him. She does not cry but only strokes his hand.
Elaine's empathy and love for Lancelot has now, after many years, matured. She is no longer desperate for his love and attention, but simply wants to comfort and care for him. Her love is vastly different from Guenever's—which is difficult, jealous and intense.
Themes
Literary Devices
