Sir Walter Scott Appreciation discussion

Comments and questions on these chapters and final summary/review.

The book is getting more violent as we near the end as the Rob Roy and his followers are in a desperate situation because the English soldiers are actively pursuing them.

We meet Diana Vernon for the last time in very mysterious circumstances, her purpose being to help Francis and then say good bye forever. Poor Francis, he is really was very fond of her.

Who is Diana Vernon's mysterious and important companion?

In chapter 31 Helen Campbell, Rob Roy's wife, is called
an amazon
a virago
And in chapter 30 described by Frank; 'I have seldom seen a finer or more commanding form than this woman."

Do you think these are truthful descriptions of her?

In chapter 32, after witnessing what happened to Morris, Frank says:
"a single deed of violence and cruelty affects our nerves more than when these are exercised on a more extended scale."

Do you agree?

Who and what are the disputes about in the country?

I think that Helen is a very fierce woman, moreso than her husband. In the afterward to the novel, written by Scott, he tells the story of Rob Roy's sons. They were also more violent than their father. Rob Roy wasn't perfect, but he did not glorify in violence. He did not approve of the way Morris was killed.

Rosemarie wrote: "I think that Helen is a very fierce woman, moreso than her husband. In the afterward to the novel, written by Scott, he tells the story of Rob Roy's sons. They were also more violent than their fat..."

I understand that a mother's despair can send one over the usual boundaries, almost like a madness. This could what had happened to Helen; emotionally she had been broken.

In Chapter 35, Rob Roy says.
"what I have been and what I have been forced to become..."
seems to indicate that he was aware that he was once a more honorable man and that he was anything but happy about what he was having to do in defence of his family and way of life.

Chapter 36 Franks states, "many traits of mercy, and even generosity are recorded of this remarkable man...

After finishing the book would your view of Rob Roy be similar or different? A Robin Hood of Scotland?

What did you think of Sir Frederick Vernon or his Excellency Viscount Beauchamp?

In conclusion what are you thoughts about the story?

I thought thay the Viscount was added in the book as an explanation for Diana Vernon's mysterious behaviour. He was not fleshed out as a character and the conditions he imposed on his daughter were not reasonable. I really did not like him.

Rosemarie wrote: "I thought thay the Viscount was added in the book as an explanation for Diana Vernon's mysterious behaviour. He was not fleshed out as a character and the conditions he imposed on his daughter were..."

I agree that his character was not developed and his 'hold' over his daughter was more authoritarian than loving paternal. Maybe he was shown to contrast with Franks' father who in the end asked only reasonable obedience rather than absolute.

I found that I really admired Frank's father at the end. He became a man of action to help his son and they realized how important they were to each other.

Rosemarie wrote: "I think that Helen is a very fierce woman, moreso than her husband. In the afterward to the novel, written by Scott, he tells the story of Rob Roy's sons. They were also more violent than their fat..."

I thought it was interesting how Scott has a strong (physically and personality-wise, sometimes supernaturally) female character like Helen in many of his novels!

Lori wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "I think that Helen is a very fierce woman, moreso than her husband. In the afterward to the novel, written by Scott, he tells the story of Rob Roy's sons. They were also more viol..."

Good point. He obviously has a high regard for females and often portrayed a female as being stronger morally than the men (I am thinking of Rebecca in Ivanhoe and Diana in Rob Roy)