The book of Kyng Arthur the unity of Malory's Morte Darthur - Moorman, Charles (University of Kentucky Press, 1965)
Cover; Title; Copyright; Acknowledgments; Contents; Prologue; One: The Chronology of the Morte Darthur; Two: The Failure in Love: Iancelot and Guinevere; Three: The Failure in Religion: The Quest of the Sankgreall; Four: The Failure in Chivalry: Lot and Pellinore; Five: All Whole Together; Notes; Index; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W.
Beginning with a consideration of Malory's ingenious chronology, this study shows that Malory achieved thematic and structural unity by selecting from the great mass of Arthurian legend three narrative strands -- the intrigues of Lancelot and Guinevere, the Grail quest, and the feud between the houses of Lot and Pellinore -- using these to illustrate a single theme -- the rise, flowering, and downfall of an ideal civilization. This selection and use of diverse materials, Charles Moorman asserts, indicates clearly that Malory set to work with a preconceived plan and that he did achieve his purpose