Assessing the Influence of Walter Scott’s Experiences on the Novel Waverley

Assessing the Influence of Walter Scott’s Experiences on the Novel Waverley

Background

The personal life experiences affect literary work in multiple ways. Their stories' themes, characters, emotional depth, and writing style often reflect their experiences, beliefs, and emotions. Furthermore, the author’s personal struggles, cultural background, and worldview can shape the subjects they choose, the conflicts they explore, and the resolutions they envision. Additionally, an author's motivation to write, combined with their unique identity, can contribute to the authenticity and relatability of their work. While authors have the capacity for creative imagination, their personal lives undeniably leave a distinct mark on their storytelling, fostering a connection between their narratives and readers' experiences.

Jacobitism

Personal Life

Influence on the novel Waverley

The novel Waverley is hugely influenced by the events of the Jacobite rebellion in 1745 by Charles Stuart. Indeed, the historical context serves as the fabric to which the author creates his story, where the themes of loyalty, rebellion, and national identity are extensively represented.

Culture and Traditions

Scott grew up in Edinburgh, where he heard stories of the Jacobite rebellion and consequently must have been knowledgeable on the clash of culture between the English and Highland Scottish traditions. Indeed, a major aftermath of the rebellion is that in the determination to bring the highlands to heel, the army dismantled the clan system, and the weaponry, plaid, and pipes were outlawed.[5] This was a major blow to the highland culture.

In the novel Waverley, Scott delves into the cultural clash between English and Highland Scottish traditions, which reflects the Jacobite Rebellion's essence. The novel's vivid portrayal of Highland customs and values, juxtaposed with the more pragmatic English perspectives, reflects the broader clash of ideologies underlying the Jacobite movement. This shows that the observations made in his personal life on the cultural differences between the English and the Scots feature in his literary work.

Scott often portrays the Highlanders’ culture as the more noble culture. For instance, he writes, “‘To him that will not turn his back on friend or foe.’ ‘To him that never forsook a comrade.’ ‘To him that never bought or sold justice.’ ‘Hospitality to the exile and broken bones to the tyrant.’ ‘The lads with the kilts.’ ‘Highlanders, shoulder to shoulder’…[6] The book portrays it portrays the highlanders as noble and brave people who fought for their beliefs, while the English are portrayed as the enemy of the highlanders. The clash of traditions is exemplified when Edward encounters the Highlanders' unwavering commitment to the Stuart cause, often at odds with his own English sensibilities.[7]

Characters

Political Affiliations and Sacrifice

Sir Scott draws from his unique experiences and beliefs to elaborate on personal inclinations versus political affiliations. Specifically, the novel explores the tension between personal preferences and political affiliations, epitomized by characters like Baron of Bradwardine, who remains steadfast in his Jacobite loyalty despite his aloof demeanor.[10] Scott uses such characters to depict the deeply ingrained nature of Jacobitism as both a political and emotional stance. In another example, even though Edward is in love with Flora, she says she loves nothing more than the cause and cannot marry until Prince Charles is restored to power. Indeed, she follows through with her belief and joins the convent when the rebellion is defeated.[11] This shows highlanders’ sacrifice for their political affiliations at the cost of their personal lives.

Sir Scott also expresses his belief that he associates patriotism with sacrifice. Waverley portrays the romanticism and sacrifice related to the Jacobite cause. The characters' willingness to risk everything for their beliefs contributes to the novel's emotional resonance. This sentiment is epitomized by Flora Mac-Ivor's devotion to the cause and her ultimate sacrifice.[12] Her tragic fate is a result of her unyielding commitment to her principles and her willingness to sacrifice herself for the cause she believes in. Flora's story underscores the harsh realities of historical events and the personal sacrifices made by individuals who stood by their convictions, even in the face of dire consequences. This contributes to the emotional relatedness of the work, where selflessness and passion are depicted in the work. The author leverages principles and events from real-life experiences with characters with vulnerabilities to help the readers recognize their lives in the characters, enhancing relatedness.[13]

Legal Expertise and Court Scene

In 1773, Scott lived with his grandparents on their farm at Sandy Knowe. He later moved back to Edinburgh after his grandfather passed away in 1775.[14] Later on, he enrolled in the Royal High School of Edinburgh, but in 1783 he was sent to stay with his aunt Jenny at her home in Kelso, where he attended Kelso Grammar School. In November 1783, Scott began studying the classics at the University of Edinburgh, but in March 1786, he was apprenticed to his father as a writer to the Signet. He later decided to become a solicitor and returned to university to study law. He was still interested in literature and co-founded the Literary Society in 1789. After graduating, he became a lawyer in Edinburgh and entered the Faculty of Advocates in 1792. Walter Scott's background in law is a significant aspect of his life that greatly influenced his literary work. As illustrated in the brief history snippet, Scott practiced law before becoming a successful author, which exposed him to the intricacies of legal proceedings, the nuances of language used in courts, and the drama of courtroom dynamics. The exposure to law contributes to his literary writing in the following ways.

Development of a Realistic Plot

The use of Language and Jargon

Due to his background education, Scott's familiarity with legal language and jargon is evident in the dialogue and interactions within the court scene. The use of specific legal terminology, the formal manner in which characters address the court, and the precise language employed by lawyers all contribute to the scene's authenticity. This linguistic accuracy lends credence to the characters' roles and adds depth to their interactions. For example, Scott writes, “If visionary chivalry and imaginary loyalty come within the predicament of high treason, I know no court in Christendom, my dear Mr Morton, where they can sue out their Habeas Corpus.” ^[17] The term Habeas Corpus used by Scott through the magistrate, is a legal term that is not greatly known to people without a legal background. It is a legal order stating that an individual must appear before a court of law and be judged before being condemned to a prison sentence. There are other instances of legal language applied by Scott during the court proceedings. For example, Scott writes, “‘Well said, parson!’ replied the magistrate. – ‘I would some of your synod heard you. – But let me go on. This young man obtains leave of absence, goes to Tully-Veolan – the principles of the Baron of Bradwardine are pretty well known, not to mention that this lad’s uncle bought him off in the year fifteen…”[18] The term parson refers to the rector of a church.[19]

Developing Drama and Emotionally Captivating the Readers

Scott's legal background allows him to create dramatic tension within the court scene. The author skillfully captures the high-stakes nature of the trial and the emotional turmoil experienced by the characters involved. Through the legal proceedings, Scott explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the impact of political affiliations on legal outcomes. Furthermore, the author uses the court proceedings as a reflection of societal tensions and personal conflicts. Scott's understanding of courtroom dynamics allows him to delve into the character’s motivations, fears, and vulnerabilities, heightening the emotional impact of the scene. For example, the emotional turmoil associated with a high treason charge is reflected in the following quote;

“Died at his house, in Hill-Street, Berkeley-Square, upon the 10th inst., Richard Waverley, Esq., second son to Sir Giles Waverley of Waverley-Honour, &c. &c. He died of a lingering disorder, augmented by the unpleasant predicament of suspicion in which he stood, having been obliged to find bail, to a high amount, to meet an impending accusation of high treason. An accusation of the same grave crime hangs over his elder brother, Sir Everard Waverley, the representative of that ancient family ….[20]

The quote above uses legal proceedings knowledge to reflect the personal effects of a high treason charge during that era. The author captures the readers’ emotions by linking Richard’s death to a lingering disorder stemming from the unpleasant predicament of the high treason accusation and the accompanying high amounts of bail money required.

Philosophy

In an ordinary case I should believe him, for they are as stupid and pedantic in composition as mischievous in their tenets. But can you suppose anything but value for the principles they maintain, would induce a young man of his age to lug such trash about with him?[23]

The reference to the typical behavior for a young man of Waverley’s age. This insinuates the consideration of not only the abstract law but also what is typical behavior for the average individual of the defendant’s stature. This underscores the core belief by the magistrate and, therefore, the author that regardless of what people think, there are some social attributes that are simply true. The author, therefore, uses his legal knowledge to authenticate his literary work by establishing his authority on the subject matter and goes a step further to use the knowledge to create drama that further engages the readers and holds their emotions as they resonate with their real live experiences. This is not possible without his education in law, given the technical nature of the field.

Passion for History

One of the significant influences of Sir Walter Scott’s writing is his passion for history. Sir Scott had always been fascinated by the history and culture of the native Scotland, his homeland.[24] Indeed, in his early 30s, the author published a three-volume collection of Scottish border ballads. As earlier established, Scott had a deep fascination for literature, and in November 1783, Scott began studying the classics at the University of Edinburgh, but in March 1786, he was apprenticed to his father as a writer to the Signet. This deep inclination towards history hugely influenced his literary work in the following ways. The author heavily draws on original and authentic materials in large mass with minimal tampering.[25]

Contextualization of the Narrative

In the meanwhile his soldiers become mutinous and disorderly, and at length, while the rumour of this unhappy rebellion becomes general, his favourite Serjeant Houghton, and another fellow, are detected in correspondence with a French emissary, accredited, as he says, by Captain Waverley, who urges him, according to the men’s confession, to desert with the troop and join their captain, who was with Prince Charles. ^[26]

Cultural Representation

Walter Scott's deep passion for history is evident in Waverley. The meticulous research conducted before writing the novel and dedication to historical accuracy shines through the book, primarily through his vivid descriptions of settings, costumes, and cultural practices. This commitment to detail creates an immersive reading experience, transporting readers to the specific time and place of the story. Indeed, some historians view the novel Waverley as the first great and accurate representation of the cultural transition undergone by Scotland and the whole world. The author displays the distinctive but doomed Highlander culture and creates the phenomenon that Scotland was not alone in experiencing a cultural loss.[27] Raleigh writes that in the Waverley world, the “how” is the most interesting and interactive model of the historical process in the ways of men and events and how they shape each other. An example of the depiction of the Highlander culture can be seen in the following quote;

He observed great ceremony in approaching Edward; and though our hero was writhing with pain, would not proceed to any operation which would assuage it until he had perambulated his couch three times, moving from east to west, according to the course of the sun. This, which was called making the deasil, both the leach and the assistants seemed to consider as a matter of the last importance to the accomplishment of a cure; and Edward, whom pain rendered incapable of expostulation, and who indeed saw no chance of its being attended to, submitted in silence.[28]

This quote exemplifies cultural representation through the depiction of a traditional Scottish ritual. Walter Scott's inclusion of this custom adds authenticity and historical depth to the narrative and offers readers a glimpse into the cultural diversity and richness of the world he portrays in "Waverley."

Character Development

Health Issues

Development of Characters

This further builds the theme of resilience. While the connection might seem weak, the author persevered after he was infected with polio and even became an outstanding author. As such, the author did not allow impediments to stand in the way of his destiny. His literary work reflects this through the theme of perseverance and resilience. This theme is especially evident in Waverley, where characters navigate difficult circumstances and exhibit inner strength. A great example of this is the resilience shown by the protagonist Edward. After falling in love with Scotland and Flora Mac Ivor, Edward is influenced to join the Jacobites in their uprising. He is later accused of high treason, which, as highlighted in the text, carries a major sentence that includes being hanged and disemboweled into four pieces. As one would imagine, this takes an emotional toll on Edward. However, he perseveres and survives as a result of intervention by Colonel Talbot, whom he had earlier rescued.[32]

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sir Walter Scott’s life experiences and personal passions are greatly featured in his literary work Waverley. His profound connection to Jacobitism, which stems from his familial ties and the cultural and geographical context within which he was brought up, developed most of the themes in the book and created a backbone for the book. This is the motivation behind authoring the Waverley. Further, Scott’s strong background in law forms a solid basis for his legal understanding of legal procedures, which the author leverages by creating a scene where the protagonist is accused of treason and legal proceedings follow. The author establishes authenticity in this aspect, not to mention that he makes an emotional connection with the readers by highlighting the mental toll of such an accusation. Furthermore, Scott's unquenchable fascination with history transformed Waverley into a vivid tapestry of the past, with meticulously researched historical details adding depth to settings, characters, and cultural nuances. His passion for history revitalized forgotten stories, transporting readers to a bygone era where societal dynamics and personal struggles echoed through the ages. Finally, Scott's health challenges, symbolized through characters and themes in Waverley, added layers of empathy, resilience, and identity exploration to his narrative canvas. His triumph over adversity resonates through characters who face their trials and emerge stronger, making Waverley a testament to the enduring spirit of human endurance.

Bibliography

British Broadcasting Corporation, “BBC - History - Scottish History,” 2014 <https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/union/features_union_jacobites.shtml#:~:text=Determined%20to%20bring%20the%20Highlands,plaid%20and%20pipes%20were%20outlawed.>

Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, and Conflict (Academic Press, 2022)

Gamer, Michael, “Waverley and the Object of (Literary) History,” Modern Language Quarterly, 70.4 (2009), 495–525 <https://doi.org/10.1215/00267929-2009-013>

Lombardi, Esther, “Literature Quotes and Sayings,” ThoughtCo, 2019 <https://www.thoughtco.com/literature-quotes-and-sayings-738757>

Scott, Walter, Waverley (Penguin Classics, 2011)

———, Waverley, Anniversary Edition, 2014

Staff, Tld, “PARSON,” The Law Dictionary, 2011 <https://thelawdictionary.org/parson/#:~:text=The%20rector%20of%20a%20church,rights%20of%20a%20parochial%20church.>

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Sir Walter Scott | Biography & Facts,” Encyclopedia Britannica, 2023 <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Walter-Scott>

Wurdeman, Abi, “Emotions in Writing: The Author’s Guide to Stirring Up Big Feels,” Www.Dabblewriter.Com, 2023 <https://www.dabblewriter.com/articles/emotions-in-writing>

Footnotes