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Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Ivanhoe, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Merits of Chivalry
Disguise and Discovery
Inheritance and Displacement
The Vulnerability and Power of Women
History vs. Romance
Summary
Analysis
Terrified yet still proud, Prior Aymer complains about the treatment he received from his guard Allan-a-Dale. Locksley tells the priest he must pay a large ransom to escape with his life. One of the woodsmen suggests that Isaac and Aymer should each set the other’s ransom. Isaac sets Aymer’s at 600 crowns—having loaned the convent money, he knows how easily they can repay such a sum. In return, noting that “foul usuries” have allowed Isaac to fill his coffers with Christian silver and gold, Aymer sets Isaac’s ransom at 1,000 crowns. Thus, the woodsmen note, their fellow Christian treats them more generously than the stingy Jewish Isaac.
Aymer’s capture, although incidental to the fall of Torquilstone, continues the theme of Norman comeuppance. Something in the kingdom has shifted, and although King Richard hasn’t yet returned, it is becoming increasingly clear Prince John’s amoral and abusive brand of Norman domination will end soon. Isaac’s ransom, which takes into account the riches owned by the priory, points to the reason these Normans must be replaced: they are selfish, greedy, and worldly. Even their religious leaders care more about eating and drinking than about saving people’s souls. In contrast, the ransom Aymer sets is a vindictive, abusive ransom for Isaac, based solely on anti-Jewish sentiment and stereotypical beliefs about Jewish wealth.
Themes
Isaac begs for mercy since, as he assumes, his only child just died in the castle. But one of the woodsmen describes how Sir Brian rode away from the castle with Rebecca. Isaac’s very real grief over the prospect of her rape at the Templar’s hand moves Locksley, who lowers Isaac’s ransom to 500 crowns so that he will still have enough to ransom her from captivity. Privately, Locksley advises Isaac to cultivate peace with Aymer, who desperately needs the ready cash that Isaac can provide him. Besides, Locksley insinuates, he knows all too well where Isaac keeps his vast treasure. Isaac bribes Locksley for his silence on this knowledge.
By rights, Isaac shouldn’t be ransomed at all, since he was a captive at Torquilstone, too, and should have been rescued by Locksley’s men. The book ignores this fact—and instead highlights Isaac’s wealth, thus casting him into the role of a stereotypically wealthy, conniving Jewish moneylender. Once more, the book participates in the prejudice it at other times criticizes. Thus, it casts Locksley’s lowering of the ransom as a sharp rebuke of Prior Aymer and his greed. And Isaac’s bribe means that Locksley essentially gets part of his forgiven ransom back anyway.
Themes
Locksley brokers the deal between Isaac and Aymer: Isaac will give Aymer the money he needs for his immediate ransom, and Aymer will use his influence for Rebecca’s safe release. Aymer agrees on the condition that Isaac donates to the convent’s new dormitory. Isaac struggles yet again to check his avaricious impulses, even for the safety of his daughter, but eventually agrees. Aymer borrows Isaac’s writing tablet to draw up the letter to Sir Brian. When he refuses to use a Jewish man’s pen, one of the woodsmen shoots a goose flying overhead and fashions an unpolluted quill. Aymer writes his letter, and a receipt for the loan of 600 crowns from Isaac. Finally, the woodsmen agree to let Aymer, his two companions, and their animals—but not their jewels and other valuable possessions—go free.
Much earlier in the book, Isaac struggled with his conscience when he tried to take 10 coins off Ivanhoe’s debt but couldn’t bring himself to. The book leans even harder into the antisemitic trope of the money-obsessed Jewish moneylender when it shows Isaac struggling to decide whether he values his daughter or his wealth more. In the end, it shows Isaac’s better nature prevailing, but not before his torn conscience has offered further evidence to support the very antisemitic beliefs the novel claims to reject. Nor does the book present as problematic Aymer’s refusal to use Isaac’s pen, as if sharing the tool will physically contaminate Aymer somehow.
Themes
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Finally, Isaac departs, having first sent a message asking one of his relatives to deliver his own and Aymer’s ransom to Locksley. The Black Knight notes with surprise how civilly these so-called “outlaws” handle their business. Locksley replies that he’s sorry to be a thief at all, but that desperate times have driven many to desperate measures. Neither yet proves willing to reveal his true identity, but the Black Knight and Locksley shake hands and part as friends.
Drawing heavily on Robin Hood mythology (which, like Ivanhoe, relies on a criticism of Prince John and a valorization of King Richard that doesn’t always match the historical record), this section lays the blame for the proliferation of English outlaws directly at the feet of the unethical and ineffective Norman ruling class. The order and peace of the outlaw band critiques lawless Norman society.
Themes
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