Life, Liberty, Brutality: World War II and The Once and Future King Anonymous 10th Grade

War, perhaps one of the most destructive concepts established by society, is something that will continue despite the atrocities war brings to society. Once and Future King, a novel
written by T.H.White, follows the journey of a young boy (Wart) becoming a king. With his magical mentor, Merlin, Wart is able to transform into different creatures that each reflect a form
of government during WWII. Although written in a legendary medium, White stresses his pacifist beliefs since Britain had lost its colonies in India and a majority in Africa, leading up to
an economical post-war depression that set a gloomy and dreary mood according to the inhabitants of England (Wind of Change). Therefore, T.H.White’s novel mirrors the brutality of
war and leadership during WWII through magical transformations by emphasizing the emotional trauma, lack of individuality, and the degradation of one beyond primitive instincts.

It is no secret that those who have survived war constantly contemplate and look back on
their past only to remember the sound of bullets and corpses everywhere. One of the most
significant transformations in White’s novel is when Wart turns into a merlin falcon, and listens
to conversations amongst birds that represent soldiers of...