On Walter Scott's first historical novel

Abstract

The historical novel has been treated by most critics as a typical trait of the Romantic Movement in European literature. Nevertheless there are some contradictory opinions bearing on Walter Scott as the »founder« of the historical novel, and stating that Scott’s novels are in direct continuation of the English 18th century realistic novel.
By way of a stylistic analysis of structure and plot, character-drawing, setting and atmosphere, tone and point of view, the author tries to define the main characteristics of a new type of fiction in its initial phase, and in relevance to the 18th century »novel« and »romance«. The conclusion is that contrasting elements of form and style in Waverley make it impossible to consider the historical novel at its beginnings either as a typically romantic escape from reality, or, on the other hand, as a straight continuation of the 18th century realistic tradition . Relevant to both, and having extended the scope of the novel by adding a new dimension — that of the past — the historical novel has been apt to develop in both directions.