Walter Scott - Ivanhoe

—from an unsigned review in the North American Review (October 1864)

MARK TWAIN

A curious exemplification of the power of a single book for good or harm is shown in the effects wrought by Don Quixote and those wrought by Ivanhoe. The first swept the world’s admiration for the mediæval chivalry-silliness out of existence; and the other restored it. As far as our South is concerned, the good work done by Cervantes is pretty nearly a dead letter, so effectually has Scott’s pernicious work undermined it.

—from Life on the Mississippi (1883)

QUESTIONS

1. Professor Wood reminds us of parallels between the circumstances of the time in which Ivanhoe was written and those of the time in which it was set. He also reminds us why, later, American southerners found it attractive. But the novel has had, and continues to have, many readers who know nothing about such matters. What is its appeal?

2. Is the artificial dialogue in Ivanhoe a problem? Think how hard it would be to recover the colloquial English of Ivanhoe’s time. If you wanted to write a sequel, how would you solve the problem, on the one hand, of avoiding anachronisms and, on the other, of writing dialogue that is true to the way people spoke at that time? How would you know what was accurate and what was a product of your imagination?

3. How would you describe the function of the material about Robin Hood within the novel as a whole? Do he and his band serve as an implied commentary on the lifestyles of the other characters? Does he represent another, alternative way of living?

a

The spoiled child (French).

b

This very curious poem, long a desideratum in Scottish literature, and given up as irrecoverably lost, was lately brought to light by the researches of Dr. Irvine of the Advocates’ Library, and has been reprinted by Mr. David Laing, Edinburgh [author’s note].

c

Vol. II, p. 167 [author’s note].

d

Like the hermit, the shepherd makes havock amongst the king’s game; but by means of a sling, not of a bow; like the hermit, too, he has his peculiar phrases of compotation, the sign and countersign being Passelodion and Berafriend. One can scarce conceive what humour our ancestors found in this species of gibberish; but “I warrant it proved an excuse for the glass.’ [author’s note].

e

Let it be given to someone more worthy (Latin).

f

Green woolen cloth, similar to Lincoln green; both colors are associated with Robin Hood.

g

Private life (French).

h

That is, Gothic types.

i

Island on Loch Lomond, Scotland.

j

Ancient Persian city.

k

Source of fake diamonds.

l

That is, gallstones.

m

This anticipation proved but too true, as my learned correspondent did not receive my letter until a twelvemonth after it was written. I mention this circumstance, that a gentleman attached to the cause of learning, who now holds the principal control of the post-office, may consider whether, by some mitigation of the present enormous rates, some favour might not be shown to the correspondents of the principal Literary and Antiquarian Societies. I understand, indeed, that this experiment was once tried, but that the mail-coach having broke down under the weight of packages addressed to members of the Society of Antiquaries, it is relinquished as a hazardous experiment. Surely, however, it would be possible to build these vehicles in a form more substantial, stronger in the perch, and broader in the wheels, so as to support the weight of antiquarian learning; when, if they should be found to travel more slowly, they would be not the less agreeable to quiet travellers like myself.—L. T. [author’s note].

n

Mr. Skene of Rubislaw is here intimated, to whose taste and skill the Author is indebted for a series of etchings, exhibiting the various localities alluded to in these novels [author’s note].

o

Farewell, don’t forget me (Latin).

p

A large steel knife.

q

Born into the service (that is, a serf).

r

For straining jelly.

s

Cavalry officer.

t

Deliberate wrongdoing.

u

That is, the advantage (based on nautical terminology).

v

Plague.

w

Odysseus’ loyal swineherd.

x

That is, his brow.

y

Small horses.

z

A Maltese cross, with eight points.

aa

Mock combat involving the casting of spears.

ab

Bless you, my sons (Old French).

ac

Stewards.

ad

One churchman does not take tithes from another (Latin).

ae

Half-turn (French).

af

Norse god adopted by the Anglo-Saxons.

ag

Rules (French) of courtly love.

ah

Pilgrim.

ai

Pillaging.

aj

The left hand—that is, the wrong side.

ak

Types of buttermilk (in Latin, dulce is “sweet” and acidum “sour”) used according to the Christian calendar.

al

That is, Muslims.

am

Reward.

an

Cross.

ao

In those days the Jews were subjected to an Exchequer, specially dedicated to that purpose, and which laid them under the most exorbitant impositions. —L. T. [author’s note].

ap

An upstairs room.

aq

On the rear (French).

ar

That is, a fish vulnerable to predators of both sea and sky.

as

God bless you.

at

Spanish coin.

au

The “green man” of English folklore.

av

This sort of masquerade is supposed to have occasioned the introduction of supporters into the science of heraldry [author’s note].

aw

Color worn by Robin Hood’s followers.

ax

Outdoing.

ay

Pranced.

az

Clasp.

ba

That is, money; marks and byzants are types of coins.

bb

Bow.

bc

The power of inertia (Latin).

bd

By all that is holy.

be

Head to toe (French).

bf

This term of chivalry transferred to the law gives the phrase of being attainted of treason [author’s note].

bg

Literally, unfortunate.

bh

Beware the raven (French).

bi

Beware, I am here (Latin).

bj

Venetian coins.

bk

Presumption (French).

bl

Horse protected by armor plate.

bm

Plague of boils (see the Bible, Exodus 9:9).

bn

Dregs.

bo

Coin that has been pared down for its metal.

bp

That is, head.

bq

Execute a circular flourish of the sword (French).

br

Let them go to it! (French).

bs

Beau-seant was the name of the Templars’ banner, which was half black, half white, to intimate, it is said, that they were candid and fair towards Christians, but black and terrible towards infidels [author’s note].

bt

Official staff, which could be thrown down to halt the fighting.

bu

Youth.

bv

Front plate of an armored horse.

bw

At a distance.

bx

Bull’s-eye.

by

Bread of fine flour and currant cakes.

bz

Italian for the black-cap, a small bird of the warbler variety.

ca

Man’s tunic.

cb

That is, Saint Witless.

cc

Holding pen for stray cattle.

cd

Wild ox (now extinct).

ce

Tekla was an early and obscure saint from Asia Minor, featured in the Apocrypha (a group of religious or moral texts contemporary to the Old Testament but not included in it).

cf

Excepting what is necessary (Latin).

cg

That is, all comers.

ch

Glaive: spear or sword; brown-bill: broadsword.

ci

A rere-supper was a night-meal, and sometimes signified a collation which was given at a late hour, after the regular supper had made its appearance.—L. T. [author’s note].