For the third step,--the study of the book as a whole,--the following topics are suggested: Setting and situation, plot, characters, interpretation, method of narration, style, life and character of the author, comparison with other books. Although some of these topics may have been taken up in connection with previous study, they will be found none the less valuable at this more advanced stage of the work. Certain ones are of course more important than others. The method of narration and the style, for example, should always be treated lightly, if at all, since their consideration is rather for the maturer student. To reach the best results every topic that is studied should send the pupil again and again to the book to find definite answers to the questions given and to establish the proof of his opinions. OUTLINE FOR THE STUDY OF IVANHOE I. Preparation The class will probably be able to recall from their previous study of Scott some interesting facts about the author. They will understand the book better, too, if they are somewhat familiar with the following topics: The Norman Conquest. Ideals of Chivalry. Conditions of the Church. The Crusades. Story of King Richard up to his return from the Crusades. II. Reading and Study There are advantages in a first rapid reading of the book before the more careful reading and class study, but for pupils unused to reading long books this is too much to ask in the case of _Ivanhoe_. The essential result to be attained in any event is familiarity with the details of the story. III. Study of the Book as a Whole SETTING AND SITUATION.--When did the events of the story take place? Locate upon some map or, better, draw a map to indicate the position of Sheffield, Ashby, York, and the other places connected with the story. In the opening chapters there are various details of the situation that are more important than the actual time and place, for example, condition of the country, and the relations of the people. Make a list of them. Compare _Ivanhoe_ with some other novel in regard to the definiteness and importance of the setting. What do we know from the story of the means of traveling? (pp. 14-16, 192-195, etc.); of the conditions of the clergy? (pp. 17-20, 468-474, etc.); of the relations of the Normans and Saxons? of the habits of the people? of the feudal system? PLOT.--How long a time is involved from the beginning to the end of the story? Are there frequent surprises, or do the events occur as we expect them? Illustrate. How does Scott arouse our interest in the development of an action? Take the Tournament, for example, and show how he arouses our expectation before he relates the event. When do you first suspect that the Palmer is a person disguised? How does the author keep us in suspense as to his identity? (pp. 60-62, 90, etc.). Find other instances of this device for maintaining our interest in the story (see p. 134).