Ivanhoe [Paperback]

 

 

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Sir Walter Scott's tale of "Ivanhoe" is an enjoyable story, but it taxes the readers patience many times over. If you can bear with the very lengthy descriptions, and what has to be the driest, most boring first chapter of any book in Western Civilization, you will actually find yoursel drawn into the story. Two quick notes, you may want Cliff's Notes or an on-line equivalent to help keep straight as to who is who, and to help get a better understanding of the often arcane writing style. Second, this Signet classic version of the book really needs to be re-set for a more modern typeset. This book is still using the typeset from the 1962 printing, and it is very difficult on the eye. Most other classic books have since been re-set to a larger print to make it easier on the eye. "Ivanhoe" should not be an exception. (Note: other editions of "Ivanhoe" available in mass market form ARE available in an easier-to-read print, and the reader may want to consider them over this edition.)

Sir Walter Scott's tale of "Ivanhoe" is an enjoyable story, but it taxes the readers patience many times over. If you can bear with the very lengthy descriptions, and what has to be the driest, most boring first chapter of any book in Western Civilization, you will actually find yoursel drawn into the story. Two quick notes, you may want Cliff's Notes or an on-line equivalent to help keep straight as to who is who, and to help get a better understanding of the often arcane writing style. Second, this Signet classic version of the book really needs to be re-set for a more modern typeset. This book is still using the typeset from the 1962 printing, and it is very difficult on the eye. Most other classic books have since been re-set to a larger print to make it easier on the eye. "Ivanhoe" should not be an exception. (Note: other editions of "Ivanhoe" available in mass market form ARE available in an easier-to-read print, and the reader may want to consider them over this edition.)

During the early 19th century in Great Britain, the Scottish historian Walter Scott wrote this fascinating romance novel of his time. Scott's intention for the novel was in response to the recurring events and activities in Great Britain and to preserve his Scottish heritage and culture. Scott's "Ivanhoe" revealed a story of a Saxon knight, Ivanhoe, who showed courage and heroism, and he became very loyal to the Norman king, Richard the Lionhearted, during the high civil unrest and hatred between the Saxon and Norman people in England. The significant question that is interesting and essential to one's mind from the novel is what purpose does the author Walter Scott had for his readers.

One thing that got me curious is why would Scott entitle his book after one of the minor characters. Ivanhoe was a knight who been tending to his injures throughout the main part of the book but it is not the character himself that is the main focus. Rather, it is what the character Ivanhoe represented in the story, such as his role and his actions as a knight that is significant. Since Ivanhoe became loyal to the Norman King, he portrayed a way for the Saxon people to live in the Norman community without being conquered or harassed by the Norman knights or people and to ease or to get rid of the hatred between the Saxon and the Norman people. The impression that comes to one's mind is that the character Ivanhoe was the only good knight in the novel since other knights seem to be very arrogant, rude, and vile. And he is represented as a best example of chivalry, which Ivanhoe had shown to be the vital spirit of an ideal knight. The reason that the author uses the character of Ivanhoe as a title for his romance novel instead of "The Return of King Richard" or "The Black Night" was to have a character that represented the pure spirit of a loyal knight or to have a character who become a link between the two worlds of the Middle Ages. It seems the author wished to re-establish the link between his native country of Scotland and the Country of England without a complete English domination of Scotland. An idea of "a link of two worlds" that Scott had was to preserve both cultures and to re-confirm the mutual respect of both cultures and their traditions.

During the Romantic period in which Sir Walter Scott had lived, "Ivanhoe" expressed the emotions and the moods of the Middle Ages that brings the readers into the world of unknown and unique. As a historian, Scott possessed a passionate fascination for the past, so he gives a detailed description of the medieval tradition and life in the Middle Ages. The author brings the readers to feel the believable narrative of hatred and tension between the Saxon and the Norman people. The emotions and the moods of the Middle Ages helped the readers of Ivanhoe to "see" the world of knights and thieves and corruption and injustice in which the novel revealed as unpredictable and satisfying to the readers. As a historian, Scott expressed the feeling of life in the Middle Age by using history, chivalry, and the traditions of ancient times.

One of themes in the novel was the civil unrest and the massive tension that were caused by the Norman arrogance, superior feelings, and injustice. Since the Norman people's influence of dominance and superiority spread throughout the land, Saxon people grew angry and felt resentment toward the Norman nobles. While the theme of high tension occurred in the novel, the character Ivanhoe is shown as a solution to end the tension.

As part of the Romantic Movement, Sir Scott used his historical knowledge to create his own fictional novel in which he wished to warn and to entertain his readers. Despite his use of historical inaccuracy in his "Ivanhoe," the author desired to use the famous historical individuals in his story to point out his indirect warning and to entertain his readers. In order to warn his readers about the situation and issues with the government, Scott portrayed the knights and unjust royalty in this book as the English government in Great Britain. He pointed out that they are corrupted and arrogant about preserving their nation and its history. Scott himself knew that learning from history can help the people of 19th century not to make the same mistakes or to have the repeated history of their nation. The impression that one can understand from the novel is that comprehending the history aspect of the book can help the readers to make a judgment or to make a change in the English government in such a way that they will not become corrupted or be power hungry.

The author's use of historical knowledge and wisdom with the indirect applied of warning and entertainment has turned his own fictional novel entitled Ivanhoe into a popular romance book of his time. As a historical romance author and a preserver of his Scottish culture, Sir Walter Scott can be considered admirably and honorably defender of his native country of Scotland during the Romantic period. And, "Ivanhoe" is such a fascinating read.

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