“Leggo my Ego,” said Lancelet.

If the first excerpt from The Mists of Avalon were a music video, it would basically be for the song called The Worst by Jhene Aiko (not my typical choice, but Pandora plays it). Essentially, in the song (for those of you that don’t know it), the female singer is fighting an internal battle about loving a dude that she shouldn’t love. She repeats that she doesn’t need him, but admits that she wants him anyway, which kind of shines a light on the feminist/not-so-feminist scenes we highlighted in class. Although this song probably isn’t focusing on the empowerment of women and being independent from men, it’s still the song that came to mind while I was reading.

            I don’t really identify as a feminist, but I do appreciate reading about a sharp-tongued woman who socks it to an arrogant guy. Guys, don’t get offended; I’m sorry other dudes before you pushed an egotistical predisposition on you, but it’s awesome when a woman proves a narcissistic man wrong, especially when they prove to be more physically capable. You go ahead Morgaine with your bare legs and muscular endurance.

            I have a problem with how Morgaine handles herself in this passage, though. She’s supposed to be a strong, independent priestess who doesn’t need a man to complete her. But wait, she’ll completely lose her shit when Gwenhwyfar creates some competition for the man she shouldn’t even be in love with. She needs to hike up those skirts to fight that war going on in her head. I do feel bad for Morgaine, but I don’t. She’s all about saving herself for when the time is right, but she entertained the thought of ruining that for a guy that doesn’t even see her as an equal. I’m glad Gwenhwyfar came along because that moment brought Morgaine back to reality and her original morals of being a priestess. I guess everyone deserves a little temptation and false hope.

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