Throughout the Crystal Cave, a fantasy about the life of Merlin, the author, Mary Stewart, runs the theme of knowledge which is ever present and always within our grasp. Through her story, she teaches that life is a cycle of continuous learning. She presents Merlin as a child born from a royal mother and an unknown father. As he grows, he learns that he has the destiny to bring a king to power who will bring peace back to the world. We are taught through the experience of young Merlin, in this first of four books, that we must be open at all times to what the world is offering to teach us. Merlin comes to the realization of his life's destiny through three key events. These events come to pass without any provoking from Merlin. He reacts to what life is putting in front of hi

Goldmund and Merlin both find their paths. They come to their realizations differently, but that shows there is no set way to discover the way through life. Life is what we make of it. Only with a willingness to discover what truths exist will we find our happiness.

As Merlin grows, there remains around him an aura of strangeness. He finds it necessary to escape from the eyes that question his presence, and therefore he escapes out into the country to relax. On one of these journeys Merlin discovers a cave, and, upon exploring it, finds that it is inhabited by an old hermit named Galapas. Galapas becomes a good friend to Merlin and teaches him many things about nature, and also about himself. He shows Merlin how to see inside himself and discover the truth.

In Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund the search is taken on by Goldmund. The life of Goldmund seemed to be set out in front of him when he arrives at the monastery. However, with the help of Narcissus and a realization of himself, Goldmund sets out on a journey that will change him for the rest of his life. Unlike Merlin, Goldmund chooses to make the drastic change and search out his destiny. He does not wait for things to happen to him so he can discover truth, he seeks out the truth; itself in the world around him. Goldmund's search can also be broken down into three major events.

The strange ability of Merlin to read the signs of nature brings him nothing but frustration. He did not ask to be given this ability, but, because of it, he is forced to sacrifice his life as a normal human being to become something greater. His visions and prophecies even

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Approximate Word count = 1102
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)