physical - frames action, opens possibilities, reader as tourist/ visitor
social - access to groups, other classes, politics
psychological - fear, siege, treason, freedom valued etc.
economic - reconstructing the facts of survival is a critique of society
theatre of the times
embody feelings, reactions, world views
access to relationships, connections, glue of plot
dramatise any scope for choices, decisions and consequences
access to values systems of that society
access that society: what issues are relevant, typical
values, priorities to live by
are overarching constructs for a critique
relative proportions of dialogue, description, action, etc
vocabulary/ language: an ear for the times
point of view: - Trease and Lilly choose child's view of society: open, detailed, curious,
purpose, agenda of author
elements selected by authors access the times, offer new information
elements selected combine to reconstruct the times: lived experience
elements selected combine to critique the times
"Thus, reading two novels together gives me a new perspective on the times and evidence for an opinion on the success of this genre of historical fiction.
"A novel's themes control the reader's response about the value and morality of the world they are exploring. Historical fiction allows the author to use the value of hindsight to explore the world of the novel and is a way of saying something about ours too. This critiquing of a society also explores the "new" world to a great extent. For it allows the reader to see the good and bad aspects of the so-far unknown world. Any exploration that allows only half of that world's society is mere fantasy. The themes in historical fiction are chosen in hindsight, and as such, allow a greater exploration of an unknown world. The author's themes are chosen by his bias on history . . . "
An history text book, or even better, original documents teach us the facts, but the fictional historical novel brings events to life in a unique way. Novels dramatising the lives, attitudes, circumstances and passions of historical characters surpass all other sources because they make historical characters real like us. In my reading of three texts this semester, I have certainly found this to be so. With our twentieth century interest in individuals, novels celebrating them appeal to modern readers as the most successful genre to combine fact and fiction because they are entertainment.
Dispassionately, History books plot the rise and fall of kingdoms but never seem to rate the efforts and count the cost to individuals. But using many elements of the detective story genre, Cue for Treason has dramatised the cost of maintaining the English throne in the life of one loyal boy, Peter Brownrigg. Depicting him as a typical lad who comes to London and gets caught up in the colourful activities at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Trease has created a memorable record of life for an individual in one of the greatest periods of English history. Successfully countering intrigue with integrity, Peter passionately short-circuits a royal assassination and saves the Tudor Kingdom.
Far-fetched as it may be, this combination of fact and fiction brings previous times to life and enables us to explore a world we might not have otherwise known. Combining the colour, sights, sounds and mechanics of the Globe, the unstable political atmosphere, the employment insecurity and real dangers in the streets of the times, Trease's novel informs, entertains and celebrates one of the most productive periods of English history.
Published while England suffered the Blitz in the dark days of 1940, Trease's novel offers inspiration and tradition. Trease uses many local proper place names and makes a powerful appeal to be proud of the native English countryside and its food. Name after name rolls off the page in a patriotic appeal to what's "ancient and true". In it, readers can readily identify with a simple but courageous boy who resists treason and is loyal to his country. Because it is a novel, we move with the character, we understand his loyalty, we share his fears and hopes, and enjoy the thrill of the chase. No other genre can so successfully teach us history this way.
© G. Smith 1997
Fiction enables us to explore a world we might not have otherwise known. Aspects of a novel that present new information are the setting, characters, themes and the writer's style. In the novels, Cue for Treason (1940) and On a Scaffold High (1993), their authors introduce readers to Elizabethan England as seen through the eyes of the children of the theatre. Historical novels aim to envelop the reader in this new world and their success in doing so depends greatly on the author's choice of themes and style of writing. By focussing on themes that illustrate that time in history and by using language of that time, an author draws the reader into a different world.
The setting of an historical novel allows us to experience a different time and place. Through the novels mentioned, we discover elements of both history and everyday life in Elizabethan England. While this is a world we may know something about, such novels engross us in a world of a bygone era. In this reconstruction, we might realise what we have missed about that period. A novel lets us see, in our mind's eye, the world the characters inhabit. For example, Trease describes one scene this way: "There was a small lake or tarn, black and bottomless, and the precipices rose all around it in the shape of a horseshoe" (p. 24). Such novels present a theatre of the times; a great part of both novels revolves round the world of work. Historical novels present settings that illustrate this new world to the reader.
The characters of a novel open our eyes to the world they live in. The reader experiences the hardships of the characters' lives and is able to compare this world with his own. Another aspect of the novels, Cue for Treason and On a Scaffold High is their portrayal through the eyes of children. Cue for Treason is told by narrator Peter Brownrigg, a steadfast young son of the soil who must fight to save the Queen. On a Scaffold High follows twelve year old Owen Rhys on his journey through Shakespeare's London. A child's view such as this is often abstract yet involves total detail of each scenario. The introduction of historical characters such as Shakespeare and Elizabeth I brings the story back to reality and attempts to make an education out of it.
The themes of a novel open a window to a different world, offering some critique of both society now and then. These novels tell the tales of simple peasants who survive off their farms but struggle for money in Tudor England, and join the theatre as a last resort. These novels delve into intrigue, a feature of those times. Trease looks at the treachery of Sir Philip Morton towards the farmers and towards the Queen of England. The effectiveness of law at the time is dwelled upon as a young boy escapes it and a father and son must wait for their case to be heard. Touching on such universal themes as Good versus Evil opens a passage to a new world.
The writer's style plays a large role in presenting a new world too. The world of Tudor England is opened up through these two novelists' use of a wide vocabulary. They use the vocabularies both of English noblemen and Welsh peasants, absorbing the reader in both their languages and personalities. Trease also uses a great number of sayings or proverbs, demonstrating his knowledge of the speech of the times and to celebrate the rich inheritance of the English language. Both authors use children as their medium, creating an exotic, psychological study of the times. Their lead characters are boys, which is correct for the times as women and girls had less important roles in that society. Another reason men were used in Cue for Treason was that, being written in the war years of 1940, it set out to spark national pride in the men. All these features of the writer's style expand the effect of experiencing a different world.
Fiction effectively enables us to explore a new world. These two historical novels successfully present the Shakespearean world through detailed settings, interesting characters, relevant themes and appropriate writer's stylistic devices. Both novels present a realistic analysis if not even a critique of Elizabethan England, and enable us to be part of a world we might not otherwise have experienced.
Thomas C. (June 1998 slightly edited)
Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease opens a new world to the modern 1990s reader. Trease is able to provide a fictional adventure while painting a clear picture of country and urban England in the Elizabethan era. Trease's ability to create an interesting, mysterious adventure combined with exact details on the setting , mood and characters of the time draws the reader to pay attention while keeping them guessing and wanting more. The novel is a complete success in providing the reader with a perfect sense of 16th century life.
England during the time of Elizabeth I was divided into classes as is typical in the feudal system. This system separated people according to wealth, land ownership and employment position. Trease is able to open a variety of settings, showing the differences between these social classes. Geographically, the mountainous countryside is pictured with muddy wet tracks out of London. While in London, a new city is arising with buildings, theatres and factories being constructed. Many people are suffering from poverty, roaming the streets seeking employment while nobles and the wealthy feast and party. In this realistic reconstruction, the rain is still falling in buckets, which of course will slow down the messengers on horseback. Tomorrow morning one must wake to the smell of death in the air as another poor man is publicly executed for stealing a loaf of bread. A sense of suspense, mystery, treason and infiltration fills the air as the latest rumour of a spy apparently seen in a neighbouring village is conveyed by an old man in rags in a sonnet. A mysterious man pays you to lend him the script of the latest Shakespearean drama and the plot unravels into a world of treason, reaching its climax during one of Shakespeare's finest plays.
Each new character in Cue for Treason delivers a different view towards England of the time. Indirectly, with their words and actions, they tell of their financial and social situations. More directly, the characters are described from Peter Brownrigg's point of view as narrator. Trease especially concentrates on Peter, the main character. His emotions are brilliantly explored in such great depth that the reader can grow to sympathise with him intimately. The novel particularly highlights the characters' emotions and motives and not just their physical characteristics. This focus gives the reader of today a greater sense of involvement in being able to understand why or why not they made the choices they did. Although the novel portrays an old style of life, many of the character types are still recognisable today, especially Peter. Peter is the average teenager looking for an interesting adventure to escape the everyday routine. Adventure is one of the many themes that Trease explores as he opens up a new world to us.
Treason, adventure, English literature, drama, politics, and the Tudor monarchy and just some of the many themes Trease examines in Cue for Treason. These themes are presented in the course of Peter's adventures, first in running away from the feared Sir Philip Morton and then in the country side and in London itself. They most effectively examine the Elizabethan period and in so doing, give the reader a comprehensive picture of that society by letting the reader escape into the storyline. Such themes are also relevant to today's society, effectively offering readers the opportunity to critique contemporary society too. Adventure is always sought after by the modern teenager, and at present Australia is debating whether or not to undo its ties with England and the monarchy, and become a republic. Reflection on such issues is more easy for readers today because Trease is able to write in such a way that his themes are easily identifiable in reading.
For me, Cue for Treason has opened a whole new world of excitement. His descriptions of England under the rule of Elizabeth I are so precise and exact. This striving for the extra detail along with the thrill of an adventurous plot of Peter's life in London surely make it a classic historical novel. #
Simon. D. 1999 (slightly edited)