# What’s to Be Done Next? explained — Waverley

> Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott.

## What happens

Colonel Talbot arranges for Waverley's safe passage north under the alias Francis Stanley, provides him with funds from his father's trust, and shares news that Donald Bean Lean's confession has cleared Waverley of misconduct. Waverley resolves to return to Scotland, partly to escape via a Jacobite-held port and partly to be near Rose Bradwardine, whose situation concerns him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Romanticism vs. Reality

Waverley contrasts the poetic allure of war with its harsh realities, expressing weariness with 'the plumed troops and the big war' after his experiences.

### Identity and Belonging

Waverley adopts multiple aliases (Williams, Captain Butler, Francis Stanley) as he navigates between his English heritage and Scottish attachments.

### Loyalty and Allegiance

Talbot discusses the nature of treason as 'mistaken virtue' and the difficulty of punishing numerous rebels, while Waverley decides to leave the Jacobite cause.

## Character check-ins

### Edward Waverley

Discusses his future plans with Colonel Talbot, confesses his attachment to Rose Bradwardine, and decides to return to Scotland.

### Colonel Talbot

Arranges Waverley's escape under the alias Francis Stanley, provides him with money, and informs him of Donald Bean Lean's confession clearing his name.

### Lady Emily Blandeville

Talbot's wife, who converses with Waverley and is to act as his nurse during his feigned illness.

### Rose Bradwardine

Referred to by Waverley as the person in Scotland upon whom his happiness depends.

### Donald Bean Lean

Captured and executed after confessing to the intrigue with Houghton, fully acquitting Waverley of any involvement.

### Mr. Morton

The Scottish parson who corresponded with Colonel Talbot and helped secure Donald Bean Lean's confession.

### Major Melville

Presided over Donald Bean Lean's confession, described as a correct, friendly sort of person.

### Sir Everard Waverley

Mentioned as having a great opinion of Rose's father and family, and wishing to see Edward married and settled.

## Key lines

> I am heartly tired of the trade of war, and am, as Fletcher's Humorous Lieutenant says, 'even as weary of this fighting—'

Waverley confesses he is thoroughly exhausted with soldiering, quoting a play to express his fatigue.

_Highlights Waverley's disillusionment with military life after his brief Jacobite service._

> The plumed troops and the big war used to enchant me in poetry, but the night marches, vigils, couches under the wintry sky, and such accompaniments of the glorious trade, are not at all to my taste in practice

Waverley admits that while war seemed romantic in verse, the actual hardships of cold, sleepless nights and marches have soured him.

_Emphasizes the theme of romanticism versus reality._

> Their treason—I must give it its name, though you participate in its guilt—is an action arising from mistaken virtue, and therefore cannot be classed as a disgrace, though it be doubtless highly criminal.

Colonel Talbot argues that the rebels' treason stems from misguided principles, making it less shameful though still illegal.

_Reflects Talbot's nuanced view of loyalty and the moral complexity of the Jacobite cause._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii-what-s-to-be-done-next
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters