Question

Read the selection below from the play King Arthur’s Socks by Floyd Dell and answer the question that follows.

A young man enters.
GUENEVERE: Lancelot!
LANCELOT: Guenevere! (They go up to each other, and he takes both her hands. They stand that way for a moment. Then he says lightly)—Darning King Arthur’s socks, I see!
GUENEVERE: (releasing herself, and going back to her chair) Yes. Sit down. LANCELOT: Where’s his royal highness? GUENEVERE: New York. Why don’t you ever come to see us?

What is the author’s purpose in the above passage, and how does he achieve it through his organization and choice of details?

Answer 1

The purpose of the passage given above is to establish the relationship between Guenevere and Lancelot. You can see that they both know each other well by looking at details like the casual manner of talking such as speaking in first names. Another obvious indicator is that "They go up to each other, and he takes both her hands." This implies that they are close enough for physical touch.

Answer 2

The author's purpose is to shed light on the relationship between Lancelot and Guenevere. He achieves his goal through careful selection of details which suggest the following:

1- Acquaintance between the two characters: they both ackowledge eachother's presence using first names

2-Excitement about being reunited: a simple greeting wasn't enough and so they "go up to eachother"

3-A degree of physical closeness: this shows as they hold eachother's hand "and stay that way for a moment"

4- A conflict involving King Arthur: the passage suggests a degree of jealousy from Lancelot towards King Arthur and some guilt from Guenevere before Lancelot regarding King Arthur

5- An attempt at damage control: Guenevere gives a short answer to Lancelot and changes the topic which suggests she cares about his feelings

Through the dialogue, the author sets the mood for what comes accross as a platonic love between the two characters.