Compare Ivanhoe with some other novel in regard to the definiteness and importance of the setting.
What do we know from the story of the means of traveling? (pp. 14-16, 192-195, etc.); of the conditions of the clergy? (pp. 17-20, 468-474, etc.); of the relations of the Normans and Saxons? of the habits of the people? of the feudal system?
Plot.—How long a time is involved from the beginning to the end of the story?
Are there frequent surprises, or do the events occur as we expect them? Illustrate.
How does Scott arouse our interest in the development of an action? Take the Tournament, for example, and show how he arouses our expectation before he relates the event.
When do you first suspect that the Palmer is a person disguised? How does the author keep us in suspense as to his identity? (pp. 60-62, 90, etc.).
Find other instances of this device for maintaining our interest in the story (see p. 134).
Point out several events that appear, upon second thought, to be improbable. How has Scott tried to make them seem probable, so that the reader's interest will not be lost?
Give an illustration of the way in which Scott links together the various groups of characters. If the author has succeeded in so combining the interests of each group that the outcome of the main action—the success or failure of the hero and heroine—means the success or failure of the other groups, then he has secured unity of plot. Is there unity of plot here?
After the opening scene in the forest, the next important one is in the dining-room at Rotherwood. Point out in detail the incidents that lead to this scene.