How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph.)
Quote #7
"Oh, dear, oh, dear, I wish I had never seen that filthy sword at all." (S.23.74)
Sometimes, young people have to be dragged kicking and screaming into adulthood. The sword symbolizes manhood and Wart's need to leave behind the comforts and safety of his family, and start taking care of himself (not to mention the entire kingdom). Getting over fear of change is a big part of growing up.
Quote #8
And he began thinking, stroking his upper lip, where the moustache was going to be. (Q.2.81)
Arthur just got schooled by Merlyn about how the King needs to pay attention to how the poor people are getting slaughtered in his war against the Irish. After all, all chivalry really means is having enough dough to outfit yourself in a metal suit that protects you from getting hurt. The poor people only have their skinsuits—not very protective!
Although Arthur is king, he's still just a young guy—he's still busy coming of age, so he really needs these lessons. Check it: he doesn't even have a mustache yet (and that was pretty important back in the Middle Ages, since facial hair = manliness). Don't worry, though. That mustache will come in time (note the "was going to be"). It's all a process, and the soon-to-arrive mustache is symbolic of that.
Quote #9
Galahad, a priggish, mute little boy, was playing some private game with his dolls—to which he remained attached long after most boys would have taken to soldiers. (K.23.5)
What does dolls versus toy soldier say about how little boys are expected to grow up in this medieval world White creates? How would the dominant culture of 21st-century western society weigh in on this issue?