To become familiar with the details of this story is simple, but students are likely to overlook little references to the customs and manners of the time, and to fail to use their imaginations in picturing the beautiful but simple scenes of country life.
SETTING AND SITUATION.--Find five or six references in the story that throw light on the time when the events are supposed to have taken place. (See customs of travel in Chapter III, of dress in IV and XII and of the punishment of criminals in XXX and XXXI.) Draw as definite a conclusion as you can from these references, and be prepared to defend it.
Where is Wakefield? Do we know whether the places described are English or French or Irish? Give reasons.
Could the scene have been laid in some other country or some other century without radically changing the story? What alterations would be necessary?
What do we learn from this book about customs in dress? means of travelling? education? other customs?
PLOT.--How long a time is involved from the beginning to the end of the story?
At what point did you discover the identity of Mr. Burchell? Could you have discovered it earlier if you had read more closely?
Are there frequent surprises, or do events occur as we expect them to?
Are all the events probable? Has the author succeeded in making them seem probable?
Is the plot simple or complex? How many chapters are used to introduce the story? What is the climax?
Is there, as in _Ivanhoe_, a series of scenes closely connected? Are there incidents that might have been omitted as superfluous? If so, would the story have been more, or less, interesting without them?
How far does Mr. Burchell influence events? How far does Mr. Jenkinson influence them? Squire Thornhill?
CHARACTERS.--Does the author make us acquainted with the various characters by what he says of them; or by what they say and do themselves; or by what they say of one another; or by all of these methods? Examine Chapters I, III, VII, and XI.
Is the Vicar a man of intelligence? of sincerity? of good judgment? Name his chief traits. Would he command our respect if he were our neighbor? Account for the fact that people have been charmed with his character ever since the book was written.