1st Edition

Walter Scott and the Historical Imagination

By David Brown Copyright 1979
    252 Pages
    by Routledge

    252 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1979. This study explores the main critical issues that arise out of a modern reading of Scott’s work, and treats the major novels in detail. It tackles the questions of Scott’s place in literary history and his problems in pioneering the historical novel. As well as examining the greater novels of the Scottish series, the author also deals with the relation between historical fiction and reality, with reference to the Waverley Novels, and Scott’s own attitude to history. Also discussed are some of the possible reasons for Scott’s failure to depict conflicts in his contemporary society. This book would be of interest to students of literature.

    Acknowledgments; Author’s note; Chronology of the Waverley Novels; Introduction; 1 Waverley 2 Guy Mannering 3 The Antiquary 4 Old Mortality 5 Rob Roy 6 The Heart of Midlothian 7 The Bride of Lammermoor 8 Redgauntlet; 9 Historical authenticity in the Waverley Novels; Scott’s Dedicatory Epistle to Ivanhoe ‘Manners’ and historical authenticity Characterisation in the Waverley Novels; 10 Scott’s outlook on history; Scott’s ‘historicism’ The failure to depict contemporary society; Notes; Bibliography; Index

    Biography

    David Brown