Sir Walter Scott Appreciation discussion

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There has been a lot more action as new characters are introduced. The meeting with the mysterious young man took place in a typically gothic setting-the dark forest, the rocky landscape, the haunted grave. Jeannie is brave, and smart as well, since she managed to avoid being taken by the search party.

1. What are your thoughts on the religious sects of the time? Have things changed much in today's world?
2. What do you think of Baillie Middleburgh's statement that 'errors of our offspring should not surprise us, which they derive of a common portion of corruption inherited...and do not entitle us to cast them off.'
Compare this to David Deans stand point.

Rosemarie wrote: "There has been a lot more action as new characters are introduced. The meeting with the mysterious young man took place in a typically gothic setting-the dark forest, the rocky landscape, the haunt..."

Jeanie Deans seems to be smarter and less emotionally driven than most of the men in the story, and yet women at the time were viewed as being troublesome (see Mr. Sharpitlaw's comments)

I have read a lot more of the book now and see the strength in Jeanie.
Her father's religious beliefs look at the letter of the law in the Bible, selectively, and he focuses on those passages which suit his particular belief, not looking at the big picture. That is ocurring today, in many religions around the world, sadly.

I don't remember Sharpitlaw's comments exactly, except that they were negative. He is probably a sour old bachelor or lives in a house where he has no say, either due to a wife who rules the house and/or multiple daughters.
Reminds of the narrator of Lorna Doone with his attitiude to women.

Rosemarie wrote: "I have read a lot more of the book now and see the strength in Jeanie.
Her father's religious beliefs look at the letter of the law in the Bible, selectively, and he focuses on those passages which..."

Do you think women are viewed better today?

Rosemarie wrote: "I have read a lot more of the book now and see the strength in Jeanie.
Her father's religious beliefs look at the letter of the law in the Bible, selectively, and he focuses on those passages which..."

In a lot of Scott's works there seems to be a coming of age for the male character and in this he seems to have picked an older man who yet again becomes more mature by the experiences described.

Perhaps Scott is showing us that we can be immature at any age and thusly can learn at any age.
Jeannie is a very authentic person. She has her beliefs and lives by them.

In your question as to whether women are seen differently today. That depends on the author.
There are some virulently misogynistic authors. I have never read the works of Norman Mailer, and never will, because he really denigrated women in his works. Which is why I am dumbfounded when I see his novels on "Top" lists. I have read enough about his writings to know that he should not be on any lists.


You can see from the works of Scott that he respected and loved women as human beings. This is shown by the wonderful character Jeanie.

Rosemarie wrote: "Perhaps Scott is showing us that we can be immature at any age and thusly can learn at any age.
Jeannie is a very authentic person. She has her beliefs and lives by them.

In your question as to wh..."

Yes Scott had great respect for women and was a man overflowing with integrity. He was a great man from a young age and I am slowly collecting his works for my descendants to read. I have great difficulty obtaining them through the library system and think this is a great shame.