MICHAEL%MAINE.BITNET@WISCVM.ARPA (08/17/85)
From: MICHAEL%MAINE.BITNET@WISCVM.ARPA (Michael Johnson)
In an earlier posting I remarked that I thought Marion Zimmer Bradley's
"Mists of Avalon" was a good example of the magic vs technology theme. I think
maybe a little clarification is in order.
The magic in this case is that of the priests and priestesses of the Druidic
religion, centered around (and personified by) Morgan and the Isle of Avalon.
The technology is a little more subtle. What seems to be primitive to you and
me was in its day the highpoint of technological accomplishment. In the setting
of "Mists of Avalon" the technology is represented by Arthur and Launcelot.
Arthur is very much a temporal figure. He is (in the context of the story)
responsible for the destruction of the old magic, by letting the Romans and
their technology into the primitive, magical kingdom of ancient Briton. Arthur
is shown as turning away from the old ways to embrace the new ones, leaving
behind the magical power to gain the technological power which is the only way
he can see to save his kingdom from chaos.
There is also a conflict between Christianity (represented by Guinevere) and
the Druidic religion. Christianity in this case goes hand in hand with the
technology, since both have their roots in the Roman empire.
Too little sleep and too much to do, so I will now quietly fade off into the
sunset...
michael johnson