How is the fight between Clan-Alpine and the Earl of Mar described?
How much of the action takes place outside the poem and is related?
Note the use of the supernatural (p. 239). Does it seem impressive?
Is the conclusion sustained and dramatic?
DESCRIPTION
Are the nature descriptions given for scenic effect, or do they serve as a background and setting for the story?
Does Scott employ incidents of plot for the sake of dragging in descriptions?
Which is the best in the poem: nature description, plot construction, character, description, or the portrayal of old life and customs?
Is the descriptive language suggestive?
Are the landscape scenes given minutely, or are they drawn broadly, with a free hand?
Does Scott keep closely to the geography of the region of his tale (see map, p. 6, and note 461, p. 259)?
Perry Pictures 912-17 (from Landseer"s paintings of deer) and 1511 (Ben Lomond) may be used in ill.u.s.tration of _The Lady of the Lake_.
CHARACTERS
Are the characters distinctly drawn--do they seem real people of flesh and blood?
How is Ellen"s character displayed?
Do you feel any sympathy for Roderick Dhu? Does your impression of his character improve (pp. 96, 98, 99, 182, 188, 195, and 241)?
Was Douglas an historical character?
Is the character of James Fitz-James true to James V of Scotland?
Is Allan-bane representative of the place in the ancient Scottish clan which the minstrel had?
THEME SUBJECTS
1. Scott"s boyhood (with emphasis on the cultivation of characteristics displayed in his poems; pp. 10-12).
2. Scott as a landed proprietor (pp. 27-33). This may well take the form of an imaginary visit to Abbotsford.
3. Scott in business (pp. 23-25, 34-36). Compare his struggle against debt with Mark Twain"s.
4. The historical setting of _The Lady of the Lake_ (pp. 46-48).
5. A visit to the scene of _The Lady of the Lake_.
6. Summary of the action; as a whole, or by parts (cantos or other logical divisions).
7. Character sketches of Fitz-James, Roderick Dhu, Ellen, Malcolm, Douglas.
8. Highland customs reflected in the poem (pp. 129 ff., 253, 254, etc.).
9. The use of the Minstrel in the poem.
10. The interpolated lyrics--what purposes do they, respectively, serve?
11. Descriptions of scenes resembling, in one way or another, attractive scenes depicted in _The Lady of the Lake_.
12. Soldier life in Stirling Castle (pp. 219 ff.).
13. Contrast feudal warfare (especially as shown on pp. 81, 182) with modern warfare.
14. Show, by selected pa.s.sages, Scott"s veneration for the ideals of feudalism (pp. 81, 228, etc.).
15. Rewrite the scene of the combat between Roderick and Fitz-James (pp.
198-200) in the prose style of Scott as in the tournament scene in _Ivanhoe_.
SELECTIONS FOR CLa.s.s READING
1. The chase (pp. 60-65).
2. The Trossachs (pp. 66-68).
3. Ellen (pp. 72-74).
4. Ellen"s song (pp. 83-85).
5. Roderick"s arrival (pp. 100-105).
6. Roderick"s proposal (pp. 113-118).
7. The consecration of the b.l.o.o.d.y cross (pp. 128-132).
8. The summoning of the clan (pp. 132-135).
9. The Coronach (pp. 136, 137).
10. Roderick overhears Ellen"s song (pp. 148-149).
11. The ballad of Alice Brand (pp. 162-167).