What can you say of his last years and his struggle to pay off the debts incurred by his connection with Ballantyne?
Scott and the Romantic Movement
What is meant by the 'Romantic Movement'? What four men were chiefly instrumental in bringing about this revolution in English poetry (p. 40)?
What was the influence of Scott's poetry on the age in comparison with that of his chief contemporaries? Give the reasons (p. 41).
What were the distinguishing qualities of the literature of the eighteenth century? Illustrate these by examples from Pope or any other poet that you choose from that period, and put them into contrast with the qualities of the romantic poets. Does Scott's style differ greatly from that of the poets of the preceding century?
The Lady of the Lake—Construction
Is there anything that has taken place before the opening of the poem that has to be understood for a thorough appreciation of the story (p. 46)? How are the previous fortunes of the Douglas family related (pp. 96– 98)?
What purpose in the plot does the Minstrel serve throughout?
What do you think of the opening?
Does the chase serve merely to furnish an opportunity for the description?
Is the action rapid or slow? How is it often retarded?
For what are the songs introduced?
Note the transition from stanza X to XI (p. 66); from XVI to XVII (p. 71); from XXIV to XXV (p. 144); and many others.
How many cases of concealed identity are there in the poem? Does this turning of the plot on mistaken identity make it seem unreal? Show in each case where the identity is exposed and where hints have been given beforehand of the real identity.
Is there any intimation of the identity of Ellen and her father in lines 565–7, page 81; lines 728–39, page 87?
What is the purpose of Fitz-James's dream (p. 86)?
What is the first hint of Ellen's love story and the name of her lover (pp. 74, 92)?
When is Roderick Dhu first mentioned (p. 96)? In what light?
Where are the relations of Ellen with Roderick and with Malcolm further discussed (p. 98)?
To whom is the reference in lines 732–34, page 116?
What action does the struggle between Roderick and Malcolm motive?
How does Canto Third advance the plot? What is its poetical value (p. 56)?
What purpose does Brian serve?
Does the prophecy (p. 157) heighten the dramatic effect of the following scene (see p. 196)?
For what are lines 138–47, page 157, a preparation (p. 168)?
What is the purpose of the Ballad of Alice Brand (pp. 162 ff.)?
What other results of Scott's early interest in ballad literature can you point out in
Does the warning of James by the song of mad Blanche seem improbable?
What is the purpose of the long speeches between James and Roderick in the dramatic scene following Roderick's calling of his men?
Does the combat between James and Roderick (pp. 198, 199) seem a real fight?
Why was Roderick preserved to die in the castle at Stirling?
Are lines 519–30, page 203, an artistic preparation for the following scene?
How do the games in the Castle park hasten the plot to its end?
How is the fight between Clan-Alpine and the Earl of Mar described?
How much of the action takes place outside the poem and is related?
Note the use of the supernatural (p. 239). Does it seem impressive?
Is the conclusion sustained and dramatic?
Description
Are the nature descriptions given for scenic effect, or do they serve as a background and setting for the story?
Does Scott employ incidents of plot for the sake of dragging in descriptions?
Which is the best in the poem: nature description, plot construction, character, description, or the portrayal of old life and customs?
Is the descriptive language suggestive?
Are the landscape scenes given minutely, or are they drawn broadly, with a free hand?
Does Scott keep closely to the geography of the region of his tale (see map, p. 6, and note 461, p. 259)?
Perry Pictures 912–17 (from Landseer's paintings of deer) and 1511 (Ben Lomond) may be used in illustration of
Characters
Are the characters distinctly drawn—do they seem real people of flesh and blood?
How is Ellen's character displayed?
Do you feel any sympathy for Roderick Dhu? Does your impression of his character improve (pp. 96, 98, 99, 182, 188, 195, and 241)?
Was Douglas an historical character?
Is the character of James Fitz-James true to James V of Scotland?
Is Allan-bane representative of the place in the ancient Scottish clan which the minstrel had?
THEME SUBJECTS
1. Scott's boyhood (with emphasis on the cultivation of characteristics displayed in his poems; pp. 10– 12).
2. Scott as a landed proprietor (pp. 27–33). This may well take the form of an imaginary visit to Abbotsford.
3. Scott in business (pp. 23–25, 34–36). Compare his struggle against debt with Mark Twain's.
4. The historical setting of
5. A visit to the scene of
6. Summary of the action; as a whole, or by parts (cantos or other logical divisions).
7. Character sketches of Fitz-James, Roderick Dhu, Ellen, Malcolm, Douglas.
8. Highland customs reflected in the poem (pp. 129 ff., 253, 254, etc.).
9. The use of the Minstrel in the poem.
10. The interpolated lyrics—what purposes do they, respectively, serve?
11. Descriptions of scenes resembling, in one way or another, attractive scenes depicted in
12. Soldier life in Stirling Castle (pp. 219 ff.).
13. Contrast feudal warfare (especially as shown on pp. 81, 182) with modern warfare.
14. Show, by selected passages, Scott's veneration for the ideals of feudalism (pp. 81, 228, etc.).
15. Rewrite the scene of the combat between Roderick and Fitz-James (pp. 198–200) in the prose style of Scott as in the tournament scene in
SELECTIONS FOR CLASS READING
1. The chase (pp. 60–65).
2. The Trossachs (pp. 66–68).
3. Ellen (pp. 72–74).
4. Ellen's song (pp. 83–85).
5. Roderick's arrival (pp. 100–105).
6. Roderick's proposal (pp. 113–118).
7. The consecration of the bloody cross (pp. 128–132).
