Feminism Say What?

So far while reading these excerpts the big question in class has been, is this pro-feminism and female equality?  After reading the first two passages I still cannot give a definite answer because this is so absolutely confusing, but in my mind it does lean towards the not-so feminist side.  The way this is written definitely has some feminist views and over-arching themes but they only shadow what is really going on.  There are a few instances in which this occurs through the story, but what really stuck out to me was on page 178,

"The little blue-painted girl who had borne the fertilizing blood was drawn down into the arms of a sinewy old hunter, and Morgaine saw her briefly struggle and cry out, go down under his body, her legs opening to the irresistible force of nature in them. She saw without sight, her eyes closed against the glare of the torch, hearing the cries."

I could be wrong, but in my mind pro-feminist works that show a female dominated society with an all-powerful female leader/goddess are not also in the same instance alright with old hunters forcing themselves on little flower girls... So, what is really going on here? 

Priestesses and Penis Statues

"Life surges in the spring, the deer run in the forest, and our life runs with them. The King Stag of the world shall bring them down, the King Stag, the Horned One blessed by the Mother shall triumph."

I chose this specific quote because it goes the must in depth of the scattered prayer excepts and gives a look into the religions foundations of the Druids in "Mists." It's seems like a transcendentalist religion, which makes me wonder if Marion Bradley was influenced by Emerson or Thoreau. The idea of a Forest Goddess is really interesting, not only for the feminist ideals Bradley was trying to reflect, but for it's argument against Christianity. This prayer gives an embodiment of religion that is tangibly felt by Morgaine and connects her to all of the living things around her. How could this religion not be the correct one for the kingdom, when it physically connects humanity to the world around it?

Anti-Feminist Themes in the Mists of Avalon

In my opinion, in our readings thus far, this is the most bizarre text. The Mists of Avalon dives head first into the magical aspects of the Legend of King Arthur. Today’s passages included a profound sex ritual and the creation of the King’s magical sword, Excalibur. But, the text also reinforces the theme of subjugated women throughout the collective King Arthur literature. There are some arguably feminist aspects sprinkled into The Legend, but what Morgaine had to go through is far cry from anything resembling humane treatment. First off, when she was being prepared for the ritual, the performers of the ritual needed to check if they were actually using a virgin or not. On page 173, “With her own hands, the woman began to prepare Morgaine for the ritual. Briefly, almost perfunctorily, she parted the girl’s legs and probed a little; Morgaine, beyond embarrassment”(p.173). The author chose the word ‘perfunctorily’ for the adjective of search suggesting that Morgaine is nothing but a prop for the ritual. What if she had not been a virgin? Next, during the feast leading to the ritual, after essentially starving her, they give her what sounds like some of the tastiest sounding meats one could eat. Then they get her drunk, “The old priestess who had painted and decked her this morning held a silver cup to her lips: she felt the strong liquor sting her throat and burn all the way down”(p.177). If Morgaine was willing why would the priestess need to hold the cup? Or, if Morgaine had sufficient strength to drink for herself why wouldn’t she? In either case it doesn’t seem like she would drink or even be able to drink. Moments leading up to the ritual, Morgaine was terrified “Morgaine clung for a moment to the old woman, hugging her in sudden terror, as if the woman’s sheltering arms were her mother’s own”(p. 178). Does any of this make it seem like Morgaine truly wanted any of it? In conclusion, Morgaine is raped. This, although a vulgar example, reinforces the theme of the subjugation of women throughout the King Arthur literature.