As indicated in the foregoing passages, Jeanie Deans is far and away the most significant character in the novel, and, it is generally agreed, one of Scott's finest achievements in realistic characterization.

One early feature of the realism is Jeanie's physical appearance, which immediately sets her apart from typical romantic heroines: her personal attractions were of no uncommon description. She was short, and rather too stoutly made for her size, had grey eyes, light-coloured hair, a round good humoured face, much tanned with the sun, and her only peculiar charm was an air of inexpressible serenity, which a good conscience, kind feelings, contented temper, and the regular discharge of all her duties, spread over her features.

This combination of description and analysis of character (no matter how simple and straightforward it is—Jeanie is simple and straightforward) provides an image of the sort of person Sir Walter...