The Heart of Midlothian facts for kids
Effie and Jeanie Deans embracing by Robert Herdman (1873)
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| Author | Walter Scott |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Language | English, Lowland Scots |
| Series | Waverley Novels; Tales of my Landlord, Second Series |
| Genre | Historical novel |
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Publication date
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25 July 1818 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 469 (Edinburgh Edition, 2004) |
| Preceded by | Rob Roy |
| Followed by | The Bride of Lammermoor and A Legend of Montrose (Tales of My Landlord, Third series) |
The Heart of Mid-Lothian is a famous novel by Sir Walter Scott. It's the seventh book in his popular series called the Waverley Novels. This book was first published on July 25, 1818. It was part of a collection titled Tales of My Landlord, 2nd series. The author was listed as "Jedediah Cleishbotham".
The story takes place between September 1736 and May 1737. It starts with a real-life event called the Porteous Riots in Edinburgh, Scotland. The main part of the story follows a brave young woman from a working-class family. She makes a long journey from Edinburgh to London to try and save her sister. Her sister is accused of a serious crime and faces a harsh punishment. Many people today think this is one of Scott's best novels.
Contents
About the Story
This novel is set in the past, making it a Historical novel. It mixes real historical events with fictional characters and their adventures.
How the Story Was Created
Walter Scott started writing The Heart of Mid-Lothian in early 1818. He got the idea for the book from a true story. A woman named Helen Goldie sent him a letter about two sisters. Scott used this true story as the main inspiration for his characters, Jeanie and Effie Deans. He also used records from real criminal trials to describe the Porteous Riots. He changed these real events and stories to fit his fictional tale.
What Happens in the Story
The book's title, The Heart of Mid-Lothian, refers to the Old Tolbooth prison in Edinburgh, Scotland. This prison was in the middle of the Scottish county of Midlothian.
The story begins with the Porteous Riots in 1736. A crowd in Edinburgh became angry after two smugglers were executed. Captain John Porteous, who was in charge of the city guards, ordered his soldiers to fire into the crowd. Several people were hurt or killed. Later, an angry mob attacked the Old Tolbooth prison and killed Captain Porteous.
The main part of the novel is about two sisters, Jeanie and Effie Deans. Effie has been put in prison because she is accused of harming her baby.
Effie's Trouble and Jeanie's Hope
In the first part of the story, Captain Porteous is sentenced to death, but his punishment is delayed. A young nobleman named George Staunton, also known as "Geordie Robertson," leads a mob that breaks into the prison and takes Captain Porteous. Staunton also tries to help Effie Deans escape. Effie had a baby with Staunton. But Effie refuses to escape, because she believes running away would make her look guilty. Reuben Butler, a young minister who loves Jeanie, sees Effie refuse to leave. This makes Jeanie believe even more that her sister is innocent.
The Trial and a Brave Journey
The second part of the book describes Effie's trial. She cannot prove her innocence because she cannot show her baby and had kept her pregnancy a secret from her family. Jeanie is asked to testify, but she cannot tell a lie in court, even to save her sister. Because of this, Effie is found guilty and faces a very serious punishment.
In the third part, Jeanie decides to walk all the way to London to ask the King for a special pardon for Effie. Reuben Butler tries to stop her, but Jeanie is determined. He eventually contacts the Duke of Argyll, hoping the Duke can help. On her journey, Jeanie meets Madge Wildfire and her mother, Meg Murdockson. Jeanie learns that they took Effie's baby. Meg tries to hurt Jeanie, but Jeanie escapes.
In London, the Duke of Argyll is impressed by Jeanie's strong will. He arranges for her to meet Queen Caroline. The Queen is so moved by Jeanie's story that she convinces the King to pardon Effie, and Effie is set free! Jeanie returns to Scotland. Her father is given land to manage by the Duke, and Reuben Butler gets a better job with more money.
New Lives and a Sad Ending
In the fourth part, Jeanie marries Reuben Butler, and they live happily. Effie reveals that her son was not harmed but was taken away by Meg and sold to a work group. She also says that Staunton is the criminal Robertson. Effie and Staunton get married.
Later, their long-lost son, who has grown up in a difficult life, comes to Scotland. He is involved in Staunton's death before leaving for America to live with Native Americans. Effie eventually decides to go to France and join a religious order.
Main Characters
Here are some of the most important characters in the story:
- David Deans: A dairy farmer and the father of Jeanie and Effie.
- Jeanie Deans: David's older daughter, who is very honest and determined.
- Effie Deans: David's younger daughter, who gets into trouble.
- The Whistler: Effie's son.
- Reuben Butler: A schoolmaster who loves Jeanie.
- George Staunton: Also known as Robertson, he is involved with Effie.
- Meg Murdockson: A woman who causes trouble for Jeanie and Effie.
- Madge Wildfire: Meg's daughter.
- MacCallum More, Duke of Argyle: A powerful and helpful nobleman.
- Queen Caroline: The Queen who helps Jeanie.
Book's Influence
The Heart of Mid-Lothian has been very popular and has been adapted into other forms of art.
Stage and Screen
- A play called La Vendéenne was based on the story and performed in 1837.
- Dion Boucicault also adapted it for the stage in the 1860s.
- The story was made into films twice in 1914, one called The Heart of Midlothian and another called A Woman's Triumph.
- A television version was released in 1966.
Operas
Two operas have been based on the novel:
- La Prigione di Edimburgo (Imprisoned in Edinburgh) by Italian composer Federico Ricci.
- Jeanie Deans by Scottish composer Hamish MacCunn.
Art
The story also inspired paintings:
- Ary Scheffer painted Effie and Jeanie Deans.
- James McNeill Whistler painted "Arrangement in Yellow and Gray": Effie Deans.
See also
- Old Tolbooth, Edinburgh
- Porteous Riots
- John Porteous (soldier)
- Heart of Midlothian Football Club
Images for kids
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"Arrangement in Yellow and Gray": Effie Deans by James McNeill Whistler
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Effie Deans by John Everett Millais
