# The Conflict explained — Waverley

> Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott.

## What happens

The chapter depicts the Battle of Prestonpans, focusing on the Highland charge, the death of Colonel Gardiner, and the fate of Balmawhapple. Waverley experiences the chaos of battle, attempts to save Gardiner but fails, and later intervenes to spare an English officer. The victory is complete for the Jacobites.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Duty

Waverley's attempt to save Colonel Gardiner and his protection of the English officer reflect personal honor amid the chaos of battle.

### Loyalty and Allegiance

The loyalty of the clans to Fergus and the Prince is contrasted with the desertion of government troops, highlighting shifting allegiances.

### Romanticism vs. Reality

Waverley's initial thrill of battle gives way to the grim reality of death and violence, as seen in Gardiner's fall and Balmawhapple's end.

## Character check-ins

### Edward Waverley

Witnesses the death of Colonel Gardiner and intervenes to save an English officer during the battle.

### Fergus MacIvor

Leads the clan of Ivor in the charge, urging Waverley to discard his plaid and promising silks for their tartans.

### Baron of Bradwardine

Quotes Latin upon hearing the patrol's shot, observing the alarm being raised.

### Colonel Gardiner

Falls in battle, receiving multiple wounds and dying after a sorrowful look at Waverley.

### Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple

Pursues fleeing dragoons but is killed when they turn and cleave his skull.

### Evan Dhu Maccombich

Makes a pithy observation about Balmawhapple's death, comparing it to losses at Sheriff-Muir.

### Dugald Mahony

Attempts to strike the English officer with his battle-axe, but Waverley intercepts the blow.

### Jinker

Delivers an elegy for Balmawhapple, blaming the martingale on his mare for the catastrophe.

## Key lines

> To save this good and brave man became the instant object of his most anxious exertions. But he could only witness his fall.

Waverley desperately tried to rescue Colonel Gardiner but could only watch him die.

_Highlights Waverley's helplessness and the tragedy of Gardiner's death._

> Down with your plaid, Waverley, cried Fergus, throwing off his own; we'll win silks for our tartans before the sun is above the sea.

Fergus urged Waverley to remove his plaid and promised they would gain finer clothes from the victory.

_Shows Fergus's confidence and the Highlanders' hope for plunder._

> The look with which he regarded Waverley in his dying moments did not strike him so deeply at that crisis of hurry and confusion as when it recurred to his imagination at the distance of some time.

Gardiner's dying look did not affect Waverley immediately but haunted him later.

_Foreshadows Waverley's psychological turmoil after the battle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii-the-conflict
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters