# Waverley's Reception in the Lowlands After His Highland Tour explained — Waverley

> Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott.

## What happens

Edward Waverley parts from Fergus MacIvor at the pass of Bally-Brough and travels to a Lowland town, accompanied by Callum Beg disguised as a Low-Country groom. He reflects on his feelings for Flora MacIvor, idealizing her in her absence. Upon arriving, he observes a Sunday sermon and receives a letter from Fergus containing Flora's verses on Captain Wogan's grave. He then departs with the puritanical landlord Mr. Cruickshanks, who begrudgingly serves as his guide toward Perth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Romanticism vs. Reality

Waverley idealizes Flora in her absence, softening her prejudices and magnifying her virtues, illustrating the romantic tendency to create a goddess out of a real woman.

### Loyalty and Allegiance

Flora's devotion to the Stuart cause is highlighted through her poem on Wogan, and Fergus's political maneuvering underscores the theme of allegiance.

### Identity and Belonging

Waverley's transition from Highland to Lowland society, marked by Callum's disguise and the hostile Whig environment, reflects his shifting sense of identity.

## Character check-ins

### Edward Waverley

Travels from the Highlands to the Lowlands, reflecting on his love for Flora and idealizing her character.

### Fergus MacIvor

Parts with Waverley at Bally-Brough, gives advice about making friends, and later sends a letter with Flora's poem.

### Flora MacIvor

Subject of Waverley's romantic reflections; her poem on Captain Wogan's grave is enclosed in Fergus's letter.

### Callum Beg

Accompanies Waverley disguised as a Lowland groom, warns him to be discreet about Fergus, and enjoys the landlord's ridiculous appearance.

### Mr. Ebenezer Cruickshanks

The puritanical landlord of the Golden Candlestick who serves as Waverley's guide to Perth, riding a broken-down horse.

## Key lines

> Distance, in truth, produces in idea the same effect as in real perspective. Objects are softened, and rounded, and rendered doubly graceful; the harsher and more ordinary points of character are mellowed down, and those by which it is remembered are the more striking outlines that mark sublimity, grace, or beauty.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder by smoothing over flaws and highlighting only the most admirable qualities.

_Narrator's reflection on how Waverley's separation from Flora enhances his idealized view of her._

> Edward was, in short, in the fair way of creating a goddess out of a high-spirited, accomplished, and beautiful young woman; and the time was wasted in castle-building until, at the descent of a steep hill, he saw beneath him the market-town of ⸻.

Waverley was busy turning Flora into a perfect, almost divine figure in his imagination, daydreaming until he reached the town.

_Illustrates Waverley's romantic tendency to idealize Flora, a key aspect of the romanticism vs. reality theme._

> I owe Flora a grudge for refusing us her company yesterday; and, as I am giving you the trouble of reading these lines, in order to keep in your memory your promise to procure me the fishing-tackle and crossbow from London, I will enclose her verses on the Grave of Wogan.

Fergus is annoyed that Flora didn't join them, but he includes her poem in his letter to Waverley as a way to tease her and remind Waverley of his errands.

_Fergus's letter reveals his playful manipulation and Flora's preoccupation with heroic ideals._

## Links

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