Sir Walter Scott

1. Scott describes Waverley as a ‘historical romance’, and proved his own definitions:
- romance is ‘a fictitious narrative in prose or verse; the interest of which turns upon marvellous and uncommon incidents.’
- novel: ‘a fictitious narrative, differing from the Romance, because the events are accommodated to the ordinary train of human events, and the modern state of society’. Some narratives, Scott suggests, ‘partake of the nature of both’. (1824)
Find elements of both in the novel.
Find modern definitions of the terms and compare with Scott’s definitions. Can you suggest any similarities or differences?

2. Define the term ‘historical novel’ and find examples from Scott’s novel.

3. Describe the main characters and their relationships: Waverley, Flora, Rose, and Fergus. Then make a list of side characters in terms of their ideals, political affiliations, and behaviour.

4. Think about the conflicts within Scott’s view of Scotland: what positive and negative features of Scottish identity does he represent in the novel? What does he say about the inner division of Scotland?

5. Today the novel is called a ‘novel of compromise’. Why? What does the term mean?