In Ivanhoe the mood of the novel fluctuates dramatically, as the reader is carried along on the wild ride of dramatic events and interactions Scott describes. These shifts are carefully orchestrated to coincide with narrative developments, ensuring that the reader's emotional journey aligns with that of the character they’re reading about. When the novel is exciting, the mood is highly excited, sweeping the reader up. This begins with the Ashby tournament at the start of the novel, where the reader feels the fierce competition between Saxon and Norman and between the competing knights. It darkens during the siege of Torquilstone, and becomes excited and hopeful again during the rescue effort led by Robin Locksley. The darkest moments of the reader’s experience in the book surround Rebecca, particularly during moments when she is alone with Bois-Guilbert and during her trial for witchcraft. The reader is brought back once again to optimism at the end when Richard I reveals himself and attempts to resolve some of the still-bitter conflicts, and when the love triangle between Ivanhoe, Rebecca, and Rowena is resolved.
Scholars (and readers!) have observed that aside from these moments of extreme dynamism, the novel can occasionally feel slow. This is particularly when Scott indulges in detailed descriptions of settings or historical context. The reader might feel that the changes in mood between stately, measured historical description and intense battle-scenes or moments of romance are abrupt and startling. However, while these moments may decelerate the narrative's pace, they also contribute to a richer, more immersive world. Scott's detailed depictions eventually work to enhance the mood by providing a solid backdrop against which the action and drama of the narrative can unfold. With the context these less inspiring passages provide, it’s a lot easier to feel the excitement and intensity of the novel’s closing chapters .
Given all of this, the mood of Ivanhoe often feels chaotic, mirroring Scott’s explorations of societal upheaval, and the clash of dissimilar cultures in post-Conquest England. This sense of chaos also reflects the internal struggles faced by Ivanhoe and his companions as they navigate a world with change around every corner.
