Sir Walter Scott as a Critic of Literature

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"Sir Walter Scott as a Critic of Literature" by Margaret Ball is a scholarly examination of the critical contributions of Sir Walter Scott, written in the early 20th century. This work delves deeply into Scott's literary career, parsing his roles as an editor and critic, as well as the interplay between his critical and creative faculties. It aims to shed light on how Scott's extensive critical writings have been overshadowed by his success as a novelist and poet, thereby providing a comprehensive overview of his influence on literature. The opening of the text sets the stage for a thorough investigation into Scott's underappreciated critical work, positing that understanding his criticism is essential for a complete grasp of his literary genius. Ball outlines Scott's qualifications as a critic, emphasizing his broad reading, scholarly rigor, and historical knowledge that informed his literary judgments. The introductory chapter hints at the structure of the book, indicating that subsequent sections will explore Scott's views on various literary forms, including his work on mediaeval literature and drama, and will articulate the significant connections between his critical and fictional writings. Overall, it presents an assertion of the importance of Scott's criticism not just in relation to his contemporaries but also to current literary discourse.