Jeanie Deans: the heroine of the waverley novels
- Autores: Enrique García Díaz
- Localización: The Grove: Working papers on English studies, ISSN 1137-005X, Nº 14, 2007, págs. 41-52
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
The Heart of Mid-Lothian may be regarded as one of the most brilliant novels in the Waverley Novels because of its principal character, Jeanie Deans. This is the fi rst time Scott uses a female heroine as the main character for his Waverley Novels. But what is more astounding is the social condition of Jeanie and how she overcomes all the diffi culties which arise in her long journey from Edinburgh to London. If we compare Jeanie with the other heroines of other Scott’s works, we will discover that none of them is similar to Jeanie. Her behaviour, her courage and responsibility are unique. Her interview with Queen Caroline, George’s II’s Queen is one of the central moments in the novel. For Jeanie it is the most crucial point in the story, since her sister’s life depends on the outcome of this meeting. Finally, Queen Caroline forgives Effi e because of Jeanie’s sacrifi ce. That is why she may be considered as the heroine of the Waverley Novels, because her behaviour is essential to the plot. She is the only one who can turn a desperate situation as her sister’s death penalty into a happy-ending.
