Ivanhoe · Chapter
XXIX explained
Rebecca tends to the wounded Ivanhoe in the castle of Front-de-Boeuf, while the castle is besieged.
What happens
Rebecca tends to the wounded Ivanhoe in the castle of Front-de-Boeuf, while the castle is besieged. Ivanhoe, restless and yearning to join the battle, discusses the nature of chivalry with Rebecca, who questions its value. Rebecca struggles with her feelings for Ivanhoe, knowing they are not reciprocated, and she resolves to suppress her emotions. From the window, Rebecca describes the Black Knight's heroic deeds in the fray, inspiring Ivanhoe's admiration.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Honor
Ivanhoe and Rebecca debate the value of chivalry, with Ivanhoe defending it as the source of honor and nobility, while Rebecca questions its cost.
Antisemitism and Prejudice
Rebecca reflects on her status as a despised Jewess and the degradation of her people, highlighting the prejudice she faces.
Love and Loyalty
Rebecca's unrequited love for Ivanhoe and her internal struggle between her feelings and her duty to her father and people.
Characters to notice
- Rebecca
Tends to Ivanhoe, struggles with her unrequited love, questions chivalry, and describes the Black Knight's actions.
- Wilfred of Ivanhoe
Wounded and imprisoned, yearns to join the battle, defends chivalry, and expresses admiration for the Black Knight.
- Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Mentioned as one of the commanders within the castle.
- Reginald Front-de-Boeuf
Mentioned as one of the commanders within the castle.
- Cedric the Saxon
Mentioned as Ivanhoe's father, whose safety Ivanhoe worries about.
- Lady Rowena
Mentioned as Ivanhoe's ladylove, whose safety he worries about.
Key passages
“He calls me dear Rebecca, but it is in the cold and careless tone which ill suits the word. His warhorse—his hunting hound, are dearer to him than the despised Jewess!”
Rebecca feels hurt that Ivanhoe's affectionate words lack warmth, believing he values his horse and dog more than her.
Rebecca's internal lament about Ivanhoe's indifferent tone.
“Glory? continued Rebecca; alas, is the rusted mail which hangs as a hatchment over the champion's dim and mouldering tomb—is the defaced sculpture of the inscription which the ignorant monk can hardly read to the enquiring pilgrim—are these sufficient rewards for the sacrifice of every kindly affection, for a life spent miserably that ye may make others miserable?”
Rebecca questions whether the faded symbols of a knight's glory are worth the loss of love and happiness, and the misery caused to others.
Rebecca's critique of the chivalric pursuit of glory.
“By the soul of Hereward! replied the knight impatiently, thou speakest, maiden, of thou knowest not what. Thou wouldst quench the pure light of chivalry, which alone distinguishes the noble from the base, the gentle knight from the churl and the savage; which rates our life far, far beneath the pitch of our honour; raises us victorious over pain, toil, and suffering, and teaches us to fear no evil but disgrace.”
Ivanhoe angrily defends chivalry as the force that separates nobility from baseness, valuing honor above life itself.
Ivanhoe's passionate defense of chivalric ideals.