Women in "Ivanhoe"

Paper Summary:

Sir Walter Scott's historical romance, "Ivanhoe", revolves around the social and political issues of medieval England, complete with Norman and Saxon rivalry, unchivalrous knights and honorable gentleman, superstition, and religion, and all these pivot around two women: Rowena, a noble Saxon and Rebecca, a Jewess. The paper shows that the two very headstrong heroines in Scott's novel were unusual characters from the point of view of medieval times, but increasingly common in the 19th century when the novel was actually penned.

From the Paper:

"Knowing that they could not make a future in a "land of war and blood, surrounded by hostile neighbors, and distracted by internal factions," (Scott 2000) Rebecca and her father decided to migrate to Spain. Before leaving she pays one last visit to Rowena to express her gratitude and try to repay a debt. It is a touching scene as Rebecca summons all her dignity to keep her emotions to herself and in her generosity praises her appearance and character expressing her satisfaction, "that I leave my noble deliverer united with - -" a countenance full of gentleness and goodness." (Scott 2000) She says she will "never wear jewels more" and conveys her mission of joining the ranks of her brethren, "who have devoted their thoughts to Heaven, and their actions to works of kindness to men, tending the sick, feeding the hungry, and relieving the distressed." (Scott 2000) Rowena realizes her distress and tries to persuade her to stay but the underlying sentiment of needing to change her Jewish status remains, and Rebecca leaves without a fight knowing that though her love is a good man he is incapable of revolting against the values and the traditions of the time."

More papers on Women in "Ivanhoe":

• Analytical Essay # 19879 : "Faulkner, Chopin and Olsen: The Role of Women in Fiction"
• Analytical Essay # 32077 : "Women in Faulkner"
• Essay # 32039 : "Women in New York City before 1860"

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