Waverley

Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since, first published anonymously in 1814, was Scott’s first novel. Often comical and with aspects of a picaresque novel, Waverley depicts the travels of the English soldier Edward Waverley during the Jacobite uprising of 1745. Scott was a celebrated poet and writer of works such as Ivanhoe and The Lady of the Lake. He is best known for his nuanced depictions of Scottish life.

Waverley was wildly successful upon its release. Though Scott published it anonymously, reviewers quickly guessed he was the author, recognizing his style from his already-famous poetry. The novel was so popular that Scott’s later works were advertised as written by “the author of Waverley,” and his later works addressing similar historical themes became known as the “Waverley novels.”

This study guide refers to the Project Gutenberg eBook edition of the text.

Content Warning: This guide describes and analyzes the source text’s depictions of xenophobia, racism, sexism, sexual assault, ableism, abduction, and loss of pregnancy. The source text also uses racist and ethnic slurs.

Plot Summary

Some historical context is necessary for modern readers to understand Waverley. It is set during the Jacobite uprising of 1745 when British subjects loyal to the deposed House of Stuart sought to regain power and restore Charles Edward Stuart, or “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” to the throne, removing the reigning King George II of the Hanover dynasty.