IV. Study of the Book as a Whole
Content.—What is the theme of the essay?
Trace the development of the theme by means of a full topical outline.
Has the essay unity?
Upon what is based the claim that Burns was a great poet?
What are the elements of his greatness?
From the three paragraphs (pp. 80-84) the first of which begins: "In fact, one of the leading features in the mind of Burns is this vigour of his strictly intellectual perceptions," would Carlyle have us believe that Burns had a strong character? To what extent, if at all, did he have a strong character?
Is it true that there was "but one era in the life of Burns, and that the earliest"? (see p. 99).
To what extent was his life a failure?
What were the causes of his failure? What share of the blame belongs to his friends and acquaintances?