Over Sea, Under Stone

Barney is the youngest of the Drew siblings and one of the novel’s protagonists. Characterized as bright, curious, and enthusiastic, he is especially passionate about the Arthurian legend and dreams of embarking on his own heroic quest. He is excited to spend the holidays in Cornwall because “[e]ver since he had learned to read, Barney’s greatest heroes had been King Arthur and his knights. In his dreams he fought imaginary battles as a member of the Round Table, rescuing fair ladies and slaying false knights” (5).

Even more so than his siblings, Barney embodies the virtuous elements in The Archetypal Battle of Good Versus Evil. Indeed, when he is confronted with danger or a moral dilemma, he often relies on his knowledge of King Arthur’s knights to guide him, repeatedly modeling his behavior after the heroic deeds that he has read about. This pattern becomes clear when he searches for the grail alone in the dark cave. Although he initially fears getting lost in the tunnels, he imagines himself as Bedwin’s symbolic heir and envisions the knight standing “[i]n full armour […], guarding the last trust of King Arthur, chased by the same forces that were now pursuing [Barney and his siblings]” (214).