Waverley Flashcards
Who wrote Waverley?
Sir Walter Scott
When was Waverley written?
1814
What is the subtitle of Waverley?
‘Tis Sixty Years Since
What was Sir Walter Scott known for before Waverley was published?
His Poetry
What is the name of the main character in Waverley?
Edward Waverley
What is the name of Edward Waverley’s uncle?
Everard Waverley
What is Waverley’s literary-historical “claim to fame”?
It is widely considered the first Western historical novel.
What historical event drives the plot of Waverley? When did it take place?
The Jacobite Uprising; 1745
What other book from the Quals list is also set against the backdrop of the Jacobite uprising?
Tom Jones
What is the name of the Waverley family home?
Waverley-Honour
What are the traditional political views of the Waverley family? Edward’s Uncle? Edward’s Father?
They are traditionally Tories with Jacobite sympathies. Edward’s Uncle, Everard, still firmly believes in the cause. His father, Richard, has taken up Whig politics to rise in station as part of the Hanoverian government.
What famous work of literary criticism takes Waverley as its main work?
The Historical Novel by Lukcas
Why, in his introductory note, does Scott say he chose Waverley for the name of his protagonist?
It is a name that sounds unquestionably English, but has no distracting associations in social or political life. It is a blank canvas for Scott to paint his story - it is “uncontaminated.”
Why, according to Lukcas, is Waverley the ideal conduit through which to experience a historical conflict in fiction?
He is the “middle-man,” not believing strongly in one side or the other. His loyalties can be swayed, and he is able to see both sides of the conflict.
He is also not a real or significant historical figure. Because historical novels must, in some degree, be true to history, writers shouldn’t choose figures that are too prominent.
What, historically, was the effect of the Jacobite uprising on Highland culture? How is that at play as Scott is writing the novel?
The punishments were thorough and effective, essentially wiping out Highland and clan culture altogether.
Waverley is written with a kind of anthropological nostalgia for the Highland way of life - Scott spends a lot of time describing what the people and traditions were like. He doesn’t do the same with the other prominent culture in the novel, Hanoverian. This is because Hanoverian culture “won” - this culture was still extant and dominant in Scott’s time.
With what two literary groups does Scott repeatedly align his Highlanders through allusions?
To Milton’s Fallen Angels and the Trojans from the Iliad and Aeneid.
What set Waverley apart from other novels which had treated historical topics before?
Scott convincingly interwove the public and the personal aspects of history, prompting readers to consider THEMSELVES as historical beings (as opposed to just famous people).
Under what name did Scott originally publish Waverley?
He published anonymously.
Of what type of literature is Waverley especially fond?
Romance
How does Waverley act when he is “in society”?
He isn’t used to being in it, so he dislikes it and is uncomfortable.
How does Edward spend his time with his aunt and uncle? What is the significance of this?
They recount tales of noble Waverley ancestors. These tales are similar to the romances Edward enjoys reading.
This is significant because it opens in Edward’s mind a pathway to inhabiting the romantic stories he has read about. The personal connection makes it easier to imagine himself in the role of hero. When he ends up among the Highlanders, it is as if he is playing a role in one of his family’s tales.
What is the name of Edward’s tutor? What trait does he have that will later cause Edward trouble?
Mr. Pembroke; he writes a very long work supportive of the Jacobite uprising that he sticks in Edward’s traveling trunk before Edward leaves for the army. It is for being in possession of this work that Edward will be arrested.
What is the Bradwardine family motto? Crest?
“Bewar the Bar”; a bear
Why does Edward join the army? Which army?
His father thinks it will be good for him; the Hanoverian army.
What is the name of the Bradwardine estate?
Tully-Veolan
How is the Bradwardine house decorated?
There is almost a comical number of bears everywhere.
What are some of the literary comparisons Edward makes when he approaches the house at Tully-Veolan?
To Spenser’s the Faerie Queene, to Orlando Furioso, To Jerusalem Delivered; to him it seems enchanted.
It is notable in this scene that he processes a new environment and new introductions through books that he has read.
What is the name of the Baron of Bradwardine’s daughter?
Rose Bradwardine
What is Edward’s relationship with Rose like?
She loves him almost from the beginning, but he is more interested in Flora Mac-Ivor for quite a while. It is only towards the end of the novel that Edward returns her love and the two are betrothed.
What literary allusion is made by the author before the introduction of Rose Bradwardine?
To Fielding’s Tom Jones; Scott notes that she shouldn’t be introduced at the end of a chapter.
What is the “Blessed Bear of Bradwardine”?
A goblet in the shape of a roaring bear.
With which of the Baron’s friends does Waverly argue?
Balmawhapple, who later gives it as “evidence” against Waverley.
What is the name of the innocent/fool who is part of the Bradwardine household? What is he known for doing?
Davie Gellatly; he wanders around the estate singing fragments of songs he learned from his brother (now deceased)
Compare the reading tastes of Edward Waverley and Baron Bradwardine.
Waverley likes works of romance and imagination, and prefers poetry. The Baron likes works based in fact and history, and prefers prose.
Scott’s exploration of their reading preferences is also an exploration of their identity.
What is the name of Waverley’s aunt?
Rachael
What is the name of the girl to whom Aunt Rachael fears Edward is forming an attachment?
Miss Caecilia Stubbs
How do Edward and Rose spend most of their time together at Tully-Veolan?
Reading.
Edward shares the works he loves with her; she becomes almost in awe of him.
Why doesn’t Edward fall for Rose during his first stay at Tully-Veolan?
Though she is pretty and sweet, she doesn’t appeal to his vivid sense of imagination. His romantic disposition can’t see the appeal of a girl he is helping translate and understand books.
What warning does Edward receive in the first letter he gets from his commanding officer at Tully-Veolan?
The letter is a gentle reminder that, though he is on approved leave, he might want to be careful who he spends his time with (since he is a member of Hanoverian army and the Bradwardine family has been historically Jacobite).
How does Edward first come into contact with the Highland clans?
Baron Bradwardine is robbed of some cattle while Edward is staying there. The Baron knows that this is part of complex political maneuvering by Fergus Mac-Ivor Vich Ian Vohr, with whom he is sometimes allied, sometimes opposed.
Who is Baillie Macwheeble?
He is the man who handles the Bradwardine assets and business. He is pretty loyal to the family - but more loyal to himself.
How can we read Edward’s relationship with the Highlanders through his verbal habits?
When Edward first learns of the Mac-Ivor clan, he calls its leader “Fergus of the unpronounceable name.” This theme continues through quite a while, with many references to Edward’s inability to understand their names or what they are saying.
Eventually, he does gain fluency and this habit fades into the background. He is gaining not only linguistic fluency, but also cultural understanding (fluency).
“I am afraid I shall never bring my English tongue to call him either one or the other.”
What representative of the Mac-Ivor clan arrives at Tully-Veolan to treat with Bradwardine?
Evan Dhu Maccombich
Why does Waverley go with Evan Dhu when he leaves Tully-Veolan?
He is enchanted by Evan Dhu’s stories of Highlander life, and he wants to see some of it for himself.
Who is the “renowned outlaw” Evan Dhu takes Waverley to see?
Donald Bean Lean
Where do Waverley and Evan Dhu continue to after leaving the cave of Donald Bean Lean?
To Glennaquoich, the seat of Mac-Ivor
Where were Fergus and Flora raised?
In the French court - they actually possess a very cultivated, European sensibility coupled with a fiery passion for their ancestral cause. In many ways, they are much more refined than Waverley (and not totally of the Highlander culture).
To what two Shakespearean characters are Flora and Fergus compared?
Viola and Sebastian; the siblings very closely resemble each other both in appearance and personality.
What literary pastime does Flora occupy herself with at Glennaquoich?
Studying, composing, and translating Highlander poems and songs.
We could read this as standing in for some of the reasons a relationship between Flora and Waverley will never work out. He doesn’t understand Highlander culture and names, and she is completely devoted to them.
What is a Dragoman? Who offers to be one for Waverley?
An interpreter; Flora
Why does the book suggest Waverley falls in love with Flora instead of Rose?
Her situation is more romantic. Her station as a kind of exiled noblewoman, the romantic wilderness and strangeness of Glennaquoich - all of this contributes to Waverley developing feelings.
What is the topic of the song Flora sings to Waverley on the first night they meet? Why is it important?
She sings a song about Bonnie Prince Charlie landing in Scotland in 1745; Waverley is so caught up in the romance of the evening that the broader political implications are not obvious to him.
How does Waverley end up injured when out hunting with Fergus? What are the consequences?
A command to duck is given in Gaelic, which Waverley doesn’t understand. Everyone else ducks, and he is injured. This leads to him nearby when Fergus and the others attend an important Jacobite meeting.
What news is contained in the letters Waverley receives while at Glennaquoich?
His aunt, uncle, and father write to him, telling him that his father has fallen out of disgrace with the Hanoverian government. This disgrace has tended to strengthen the family’s Jacobite leanings. They suggest he give up his commission in the Hanoverian army as soon as possible.
He also learns that is considered “absent without leave”, and that the authorities have been informed.
What monarch does the Hanoverian army serve?
George II
Why does Flora reject Waverley’s advances?
She is too invested in the Jacobite cause for romance - especially with someone who doesn’t support and understand the cause like she does.
She urges Waverley to become a Jacobite not because of some “hurried, and probably temporary feeling” but because he has truly reflected and agreed with it. (He doesn’t listen…)
