Walter Scott and the Historical Imagination (Routledge Library Editions: The Nineteenth-Century Novel)

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. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Original Title Original Copyright Contents 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 Limits to 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