How Does Walter Scott Use Novels Or Poems That Inspire Change

Throughout literature authors will often use novels or poems to inspire change. One topic that is constantly being challenged is religion. Whether the author’s goal is to challenge the way in which a particular religion is viewed, or change what outsiders of a religion think, religion is often included in a novel as a main theme. An author typically uses many unique literary techniques to help the reader to understand his or her message and create a new idea about a topic such as religion. A very prominent example of an author using literary techniques to attempt to change readers opinions can be seen in the novel Ivanhoe were Walter Scott uses the literary techniques of characterization with the character Rebecca, and contrast between the

Rebecca is regarded as a sweet girl by all the people in the novel that have come to know her; she is shown to be a very compassionate daughter. The character Rebecca is shown to be a loving and caring person and Walter Scott uses this to show the good all people possess, regardless of what religion they identify with. Though Rebecca, Scott shows that Jews are people in order to inspire change in the way they were treated during the time the novel was written. Rebecca also demonstrates acts of extreme kindness throughout the novel, like when she aides the main character Ivanhoe after being gravely injured. The charity that Rebecca shows is another way in which Walter Scott uses the character Rebecca to change the way Jews were perceived. The kind gestures shown by Rebecca are meant to display the compassion that all people can possess. In short, Walter Scott uses the characterization of Rebecca to show the human qualities that all people including Jews

The best way to observe the contrast is when Rebecca is held for ransom but Isaac refuses to pay without the promise of her safety, despite being threatened he stands his ground and displays his love for Rebecca by saying “do thy worst. My daughter is my flesh and blood, dearer to me a thousand times than those limbs which thy cruelty threatens. No silver will I give thee, unless I were to pour it molten down thy avaricious throat” (Scott 233-234). This scene creates a clear contrast between what Norman and the others expect and what the reader sees. The people holding Rebecca hostage expect a jew to be selfish and only concerned with his own safety but through Isaac’s bravery the reader sees the competition he has for his daughter. Scott creates a stark contrast between what outside characters expect of Isaac and what the reader expects of him and the contrast creates empathy for Isaac in his struggle. Another way the contrast in the way Rebecca and Isaac’s relationship is perceived helps to show both people as more human is with the love each character has for each other well other characters feel they are nothing more than selfish Jewish peasants. The morality and courage that