Kidnapped - Robert Louis Stevenson
Summary 'Kidnapped' tells the story of David Balfour, a newly orphaned young man in 18th-century Scotland. Upon his father's death, David t...
Summary
'Kidnapped' tells the story of David Balfour, a newly orphaned young man in 18th-century Scotland. Upon his father's death, David travels to the House of Shaws to claim his inheritance from his uncle, Ebenezer Balfour. Ebenezer, a miserly and villainous man, attempts to have David killed and then, failing that, arranges for him to be kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American colonies.
David is abducted onto the brig Covenant, commanded by Captain Hoseason. During the voyage, the ship takes on Alan Breck Stewart, a charismatic and courageous Jacobite fugitive. A storm and subsequent shipwreck separate David from the crew, and he eventually reunites with Alan. Together, they witness the infamous Appin Murder, a real historical event, and become implicated as suspects by the British Redcoats.
Thus begins their perilous journey across the Scottish Highlands, a land still reeling from the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellions. David, a Lowland Whig, and Alan, a Highland Jacobite, form an unlikely but deep friendship, navigating dangers from nature, hostile soldiers, and clan rivalries. Their contrasting backgrounds lead to frequent arguments but also a growing respect. Their ultimate goal is to return David to civilization to reclaim his rightful inheritance and for Alan to escape the country. The novel culminates in David's clever scheme to expose Ebenezer and secure his future, before bidding farewell to his Highland companion.
Book Sections
Section 1
David Balfour, a seventeen-year-old Lowlander, has just lost his parents. With only a letter from his father and a small sum of money, he sets off on foot from the village of Essendean to the remote House of Shaws, the home of his uncle, Ebenezer Balfour. His father's letter instructs him to seek out Ebenezer for his inheritance. Upon arrival, David finds the house dilapidated and foreboding. He is met by his uncle, a gaunt and suspicious old man who lives a solitary, miserly existence. Ebenezer is clearly unwelcoming and cagey about David's inheritance. David learns bits of the family history, including that his father was the younger brother and Ebenezer the elder.
Ebenezer attempts to kill David twice: first by sending him to fetch a chest from a dangerous, unstable tower in the house, hoping he will fall; and second by leading him into an ambush by a hired ruffian. David narrowly escapes both attempts.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| David Balfour | Young, naive, honest, intelligent, resilient, courageous, morally upright, and educated (a Lowland Protestant Whig). | To claim his rightful inheritance, understand his family's past, and secure his future after his parents' death. Initially, he seeks guidance and kinship from his uncle. |
| Ebenezer Balfour | Greedy, miserly, treacherous, fearful, cunning, solitary, physically frail but dangerous due to his manipulative nature. | To keep David's inheritance (which is rightfully David's) for himself. He feels cheated by his brother's marriage and believes David's existence threatens his ill-gotten wealth and position as Laird of Shaws. His primary motivation is avarice and self-preservation of his current lifestyle. |
Section 2
Following the failed murder attempts, Ebenezer feigns reconciliation with David. He sends David on an errand to Queensferry to meet a ship captain named Elias Hoseason, under the pretense of finding a lawyer to settle David's inheritance. David, still trusting despite his uncle's strange behavior, goes to the port. There, he is lured onto the brig Covenant by Captain Hoseason, who, it turns out, is in league with Ebenezer. David is drugged, shanghaied, and locked below deck.
He awakens to find himself a prisoner, destined for slavery in the American colonies. David is treated cruelly by the crew and the captain, who justify their actions by claiming he's a "dangerous" young man. The ship sets sail, and David endures the harsh conditions of life at sea, constantly plotting his escape but finding no opportunity. He gradually learns the realities of the treacherous maritime world and the brutality of his captors.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Elias | Ruthless, amoral, opportunistic, mercenary, and complicit in criminal acts. | To earn money by carrying out Ebenezer's plan to dispose of David. He also stands to profit from selling David into slavery. His primary motivation is financial gain, without regard for human life or legality. |
| Hoseason |
Section 3
During the voyage, a small boat approaches the Covenant in the Hebrides. A passenger from this boat, a Highland gentleman named Alan Breck Stewart, comes aboard seeking passage to France. Alan is a Jacobite, a supporter of the exiled Stuart monarchy, and a fugitive from the British government (the Redcoats). He is on the run after the Battle of Culloden and carries a considerable sum of money. Captain Hoseason, seeing an opportunity for more profit, plots to murder Alan and steal his money.
However, David overhears the crew's plot and, driven by his sense of justice, warns Alan. Together, they barricade themselves in the fore-cabin and heroically defend themselves against the attacking crew. They manage to hold them off, and Alan, impressed by David's courage, spares the crew members' lives, securing a temporary truce. Shortly after, the Covenant encounters a severe storm. The ship is badly damaged, and most of the crew, including Hoseason, are lost or swept overboard. David is separated from Alan during the chaos and ends up shipwrecked alone on the Isle of Erraid, mistaking it for a mainland island.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Breck Stewart | Brave, skilled swordsman, proud, charismatic, hot-headed, fiercely loyal to his clan and the Jacobite cause, witty, and prone to vanity. He is a romantic idealist, yet also practical and experienced in the harsh realities of Highland life and warfare. He has a strong sense of honor. | To escape Scotland after the Jacobite defeat and join the exiled Stuart court in France, carrying a sum of money entrusted to him by his clan. He is a soldier by nature and a fugitive by circumstance. His immediate motivation on the ship is self-preservation and protecting the money. Later, his motivation shifts to aiding David out of gratitude and a growing sense of friendship and responsibility, while continuing his own fight for survival and ultimate escape. |
Section 4
After several days of wandering and near-starvation on the Isle of Erraid and subsequently the mainland of Mull, David eventually finds his way to the mainland and, by luck, encounters Alan Breck Stewart again. Alan, having survived the shipwreck, is looking for him. The reunion is joyful, and their bond strengthens. Together, they begin their journey through the treacherous Scottish Highlands, a wild and dangerous region where the Redcoats (British soldiers) hunt Jacobite fugitives like Alan.
As they travel through Appin, they witness a shocking event: the "Red Fox," Colin Roy Campbell of Glenure, a government factor hated by the local Jacobites, is murdered by a sniper. Alan, being a known Jacobite and in the vicinity, immediately understands they will be blamed. Despite David's initial shock and desire to report the crime, Alan convinces him they must flee. They are now implicated in a murder they didn't commit and become outlaws, hunted by the Redcoats. This event, known historically as the Appin Murder, marks the true beginning of their desperate flight.
Section 5
Their journey across the Highlands is fraught with peril. They encounter numerous challenges: harsh weather, starvation, exhaustion, and constant pursuit by the Redcoats. They must rely on the hospitality and aid of various clan members and Jacobite sympathizers, often in remote and dangerous hideouts. Their path takes them through areas like the wild country of the Clan Macgregor, where they meet Robin Oig, a famous outlaw.
David, a Lowlander and a Whig, often struggles with the customs and moral code of the Highlanders, particularly their Jacobite loyalties and a casual disregard for law. Alan, a Highlander and a Jacobite, is equally perplexed by David's rigid sense of justice and Lowland prudence. Their contrasting viewpoints lead to frequent, passionate arguments, but these debates also deepen their understanding and respect for each other. Despite their disagreements, their loyalty to one another grows immensely.
David falls ill with a fever, and Alan cares for him devotedly, even risking his own capture to find help and medicine. This act of selflessness solidifies their profound friendship. They make their way through the country of the powerful Clan Cameron and eventually find refuge with Cluny Macpherson, a famous Jacobite chief living in hiding in "Cluny's Cage." Cluny provides them with much-needed rest and sustenance but is also prone to gambling, almost losing Alan's entrusted money.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Colin Roy | A government factor (land agent) for the Campbells, a clan allied with the British government. He is efficient, unpopular, and seen by many local Jacobites (especially the Stewarts of Appin) as an oppressor for his role in dispossessing tenants after the '45 rebellion. He is depicted as pragmatic and unwavering in his duties, earning him the moniker "Red Fox." | To uphold the British government's authority and manage the forfeited estates, which includes evicting non-loyal tenants. His actions are driven by his duty to the Crown and potentially personal gain or advancement within the government structure. His primary role in the story is as a catalyst for the Appin Murder, driving the plot forward and forcing David and Alan into their desperate flight. |
| Campbell of | ||
| Glenure | ||
| James of the | Alan's kinsman and a prominent local Jacobite leader of the Stewarts of Appin. He is depicted as a man of honor and authority within his clan, deeply affected by the injustices against his people. He is arrested and eventually tried for the Appin Murder, though he is likely innocent. | To lead and protect his clan, the Stewarts of Appin, in the face of government oppression and injustice, particularly concerning their land rights. He seeks justice and retribution for the wrongs committed against his people, which ultimately makes him a prime suspect in the murder of Colin Campbell. His motivation is a mixture of clan loyalty, leadership responsibility, and a sense of patriotic duty to the Jacobite cause. |
| Glens (James | ||
| Stewart) | ||
| Prestongrange | The Lord Advocate, a powerful legal and political figure in the Scottish government. He is portrayed as shrewd, pragmatic, and ruthless in his pursuit of justice for the crown, especially against Jacobite sympathizers. He is willing to bend legal processes to achieve his political goals. | To maintain law and order, suppress Jacobite influence, and consolidate the authority of the British government in Scotland. He seeks to secure a conviction for the Appin Murder, not necessarily to find the actual killer, but to make an example of a prominent Jacobite (James Stewart) and thus deter further unrest. His motivation is political expediency and the advancement of his career and the government's agenda. |
| Cluny Macpherson | A Highland clan chief (of Clan Macpherson), a romantic and somewhat eccentric Jacobite outlaw who has been living in hiding for years since Culloden. He is hospitable but also has a weakness for gambling, which sometimes endangers the people sheltering with him. | To survive in hiding while maintaining his dignity and authority as a clan chief, despite his outlaw status. He offers traditional Highland hospitality to fellow fugitives like Alan and David. His motivation is a mix of preserving clan honor, personal survival, and a lingering hope for the Jacobite cause, tempered by the realities of his long-term hiding. His love for gambling also serves as a distraction from his difficult circumstances. |
Section 6
After months of travel, hardship, and developing a deep bond of friendship, David and Alan finally reach the Lowlands. Their immediate goal is to reclaim David's inheritance from Ebenezer. Alan devises a clever plan: they will approach Mr. Rankeillor, the family lawyer. David will hide while Alan engages Ebenezer in a conversation, making him confess to the kidnapping.
They execute the plan. Mr. Rankeillor, a shrewd and morally upright lawyer, is initially skeptical but becomes convinced by David's story and Alan's testimony. They arrange a meeting at the House of Shaws. While David and Mr. Rankeillor hide, Alan confronts Ebenezer, subtly maneuvering him into admitting his role in the kidnapping plot, revealing his fear that David is still alive and will expose him. David then dramatically reveals himself, confirming Ebenezer's guilt.
Faced with undeniable evidence and the threat of public exposure and legal action, Ebenezer is forced to concede. David reclaims his rightful inheritance and agrees to pay his uncle a generous annuity to ensure his silence and compliance. With David's affairs settled, Alan Breck, still a fugitive, bids a poignant farewell to his friend. He must continue his life on the run, likely heading to France, while David remains in Scotland to manage his estate and continue his life as a wealthy gentleman. Their parting marks the end of their extraordinary adventure and a profound friendship forged in adversity.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
| Mr. Rankeillor | A sharp, experienced, and respectable lawyer in David's local town of David's town. He is initially cautious but ultimately fair and committed to justice and legal rectitude. He values evidence and due process. | To uphold the law, ensure justice, and manage legal affairs for his clients, including the Balfour estate. He is motivated by professional integrity and a desire to see David's rights respected and his inheritance secured according to the law. He wants to confirm the truth of David's story and ensure that Ebenezer is held accountable. |
| Mr. Rankeillor | A sharp, experienced, and respectable lawyer in David's local town. He is initially cautious but ultimately fair and committed to justice and legal rectitude. He values evidence and due process. | To uphold the law, ensure justice, and manage legal affairs for his clients, including the Balfour estate. He is motivated by professional integrity and a desire to see David's rights respected and his inheritance secured according to the law. He wants to confirm the truth of David's story and ensure that Ebenezer is held accountable. |
| David Balfour | Young, naive, honest, intelligent, resilient, courageous, morally upright, and educated (a Lowland Protestant Whig). | To claim his rightful inheritance, understand his family's past, and secure his future after his parents' death. Initially, he seeks guidance and kinship from his uncle. |
| Ebenezer Balfour | Greedy, miserly, treacherous, fearful, cunning, solitary, physically frail but dangerous due to his manipulative nature. | To keep David's inheritance (which is rightfully David's) for himself. He feels cheated by his brother's marriage and believes David's existence threatens his ill-gotten wealth and position as Laird of Shaws. His primary motivation is avarice and self-preservation of his current lifestyle. |
Section 2
Following the failed murder attempts, Ebenezer feigns reconciliation with David. He sends David on an errand to Queensferry to meet a ship captain named Elias Hoseason, under the pretense of finding a lawyer to settle David's inheritance. David, still trusting despite his uncle's strange behavior, goes to the port. There, he is lured onto the brig Covenant by Captain Hoseason, who, it turns out, is in league with Ebenezer. David is drugged, shanghaied, and locked below deck.
He awakens to find himself a prisoner, destined for slavery in the American colonies. David is treated cruelly by the crew and the captain, who justify their actions by claiming he's a "dangerous" young man. The ship sets sail, and David endures the harsh conditions of life at sea, constantly plotting his escape but finding no opportunity. He gradually learns the realities of the treacherous maritime world and the brutality of his captors.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Elias | Ruthless, amoral, opportunistic, mercenary, and complicit in criminal acts. | To earn money by carrying out Ebenezer's plan to dispose of David. He also stands to profit from selling David into slavery. His primary motivation is financial gain, without regard for human life or legality. |
| Hoseason |
Section 3
During the voyage, a small boat approaches the Covenant in the Hebrides. A passenger from this boat, a Highland gentleman named Alan Breck Stewart, comes aboard seeking passage to France. Alan is a Jacobite, a supporter of the exiled Stuart monarchy, and a fugitive from the British government (the Redcoats). He is on the run after the Battle of Culloden and carries a considerable sum of money. Captain Hoseason, seeing an opportunity for more profit, plots to murder Alan and steal his money.
However, David overhears the crew's plot and, driven by his sense of justice, warns Alan. Together, they barricade themselves in the fore-cabin and heroically defend themselves against the attacking crew. They manage to hold them off, and Alan, impressed by David's courage, spares the crew members' lives, securing a temporary truce. Shortly after, the Covenant encounters a severe storm. The ship is badly damaged, and most of the crew, including Hoseason, are lost or swept overboard. David is separated from Alan during the chaos and ends up shipwrecked alone on the Isle of Erraid, mistaking it for a mainland island.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Breck Stewart | Brave, skilled swordsman, proud, charismatic, hot-headed, fiercely loyal to his clan and the Jacobite cause, witty, and prone to vanity. He is a romantic idealist, yet also practical and experienced in the harsh realities of Highland life and warfare. He has a strong sense of honor. | To escape Scotland after the Jacobite defeat and join the exiled Stuart court in France, carrying a sum of money entrusted to him by his clan. He is a soldier by nature and a fugitive by circumstance. His immediate motivation on the ship is self-preservation and protecting the money. Later, his motivation shifts to aiding David out of gratitude and a growing sense of friendship and responsibility, while continuing his own fight for survival and ultimate escape. |
Section 4
After several days of wandering and near-starvation on the Isle of Erraid and subsequently the mainland of Mull, David eventually finds his way to the mainland and, by luck, encounters Alan Breck Stewart again. Alan, having survived the shipwreck, is looking for him. The reunion is joyful, and their bond strengthens. Together, they begin their journey through the treacherous Scottish Highlands, a wild and dangerous region where the Redcoats (British soldiers) hunt Jacobite fugitives like Alan.
As they travel through Appin, they witness a shocking event: the "Red Fox," Colin Roy Campbell of Glenure, a government factor hated by the local Jacobites, is murdered by a sniper. Alan, being a known Jacobite and in the vicinity, immediately understands they will be blamed. Despite David's initial shock and desire to report the crime, Alan convinces him they must flee. They are now implicated in a murder they didn't commit and become outlaws, hunted by the Redcoats. This event, known historically as the Appin Murder, marks the true beginning of their desperate flight.
Section 5
Their journey across the Highlands is fraught with peril. They encounter numerous challenges: harsh weather, starvation, exhaustion, and constant pursuit by the Redcoats. They must rely on the hospitality and aid of various clan members and Jacobite sympathizers, often in remote and dangerous hideouts. Their path takes them through areas like the wild country of the Clan Macgregor, where they meet Robin Oig, a famous outlaw.
David, a Lowlander and a Whig, often struggles with the customs and moral code of the Highlanders, particularly their Jacobite loyalties and a casual disregard for law. Alan, a Highlander and a Jacobite, is equally perplexed by David's rigid sense of justice and Lowland prudence. Their contrasting viewpoints lead to frequent, passionate arguments, but these debates also deepen their understanding and respect for each other. Despite their disagreements, their loyalty to one another grows immensely.
David falls ill with a fever, and Alan cares for him devotedly, even risking his own capture to find help and medicine. This act of selflessness solidifies their profound friendship. They make their way through the country of the powerful Clan Cameron and eventually find refuge with Cluny Macpherson, a famous Jacobite chief living in hiding in "Cluny's Cage." Cluny provides them with much-needed rest and sustenance but is also prone to gambling, almost losing Alan's entrusted money.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Colin Roy | A government factor (land agent) for the Campbells, a clan allied with the British government. He is efficient, unpopular, and seen by many local Jacobites (especially the Stewarts of Appin) as an oppressor for his role in dispossessing tenants after the '45 rebellion. He is depicted as pragmatic and unwavering in his duties, earning him the moniker "Red Fox." | To uphold the British government's authority and manage the forfeited estates, which includes evicting non-loyal tenants. His actions are driven by his duty to the Crown and potentially personal gain or advancement within the government structure. His primary role in the story is as a catalyst for the Appin Murder, driving the plot forward and forcing David and Alan into their desperate flight. |
| Campbell of | ||
| Glenure | ||
| James of the | Alan's kinsman and a prominent local Jacobite leader of the Stewarts of Appin. He is depicted as a man of honor and authority within his clan, deeply affected by the injustices against his people. He is arrested and eventually tried for the Appin Murder, though he is likely innocent. | To lead and protect his clan, the Stewarts of Appin, in the face of government oppression and injustice, particularly concerning their land rights. He seeks justice and retribution for the wrongs committed against his people, which ultimately makes him a prime suspect in the murder of Colin Campbell. His motivation is a mixture of clan loyalty, leadership responsibility, and a sense of patriotic duty to the Jacobite cause. |
| Glens (James | ||
| Stewart) | ||
| Prestongrange | The Lord Advocate, a powerful legal and political figure in the Scottish government. He is portrayed as shrewd, pragmatic, and ruthless in his pursuit of justice for the crown, especially against Jacobite sympathizers. He is willing to bend legal processes to achieve his political goals. | To maintain law and order, suppress Jacobite influence, and consolidate the authority of the British government in Scotland. He seeks to secure a conviction for the Appin Murder, not necessarily to find the actual killer, but to make an example of a prominent Jacobite (James Stewart) and thus deter further unrest. His motivation is political expediency and the advancement of his career and the government's agenda. |
| Cluny Macpherson | A Highland clan chief (of Clan Macpherson), a romantic and somewhat eccentric Jacobite outlaw who has been living in hiding for years since Culloden. He is hospitable but also has a weakness for gambling, which sometimes endangers the people sheltering with him. | To survive in hiding while maintaining his dignity and authority as a clan chief, despite his outlaw status. He offers traditional Highland hospitality to fellow fugitives like Alan and David. His motivation is a mix of preserving clan honor, personal survival, and a lingering hope for the Jacobite cause, tempered by the realities of his long-term hiding. His love for gambling also serves as a distraction from his difficult circumstances. |
Section 6
After months of travel, hardship, and developing a deep bond of friendship, David and Alan finally reach the Lowlands. Their immediate goal is to reclaim David's inheritance from Ebenezer. Alan devises a clever plan: they will approach Mr. Rankeillor, the family lawyer. David will hide while Alan engages Ebenezer in a conversation, making him confess to the kidnapping.
They execute the plan. Mr. Rankeillor, a shrewd and morally upright lawyer, is initially skeptical but becomes convinced by David's story and Alan's testimony. They arrange a meeting at the House of Shaws. While David and Mr. Rankeillor hide, Alan confronts Ebenezer, subtly maneuvering him into admitting his role in the kidnapping plot, revealing his fear that David is still alive and will expose him. David then dramatically reveals himself, confirming Ebenezer's guilt.
Faced with undeniable evidence and the threat of public exposure and legal action, Ebenezer is forced to concede. David reclaims his rightful inheritance and agrees to pay his uncle a generous annuity to ensure his silence and compliance. With David's affairs settled, Alan Breck, still a fugitive, bids a poignant farewell to his friend. He must continue his life on the run, likely heading to France, while David remains in Scotland to manage his estate and continue his life as a wealthy gentleman. Their parting marks the end of their extraordinary adventure and a profound friendship forged in adversity.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations | |
| |
| Mr. Rankeillor | A sharp, experienced, and respectable lawyer in David's local town. He is initially cautious but ultimately fair and committed to justice and legal rectitude. He values evidence and due process. | To uphold the law, ensure justice, and manage legal affairs for his clients, including the Balfour estate. He is motivated by professional integrity and a desire to see David's rights respected and his inheritance secured according to the law. He wants to confirm the truth of David's story and ensure that Ebenezer is held accountable. |
| Mr. Rankeillor | A sharp, experienced, and respectable lawyer in David's local town. He is initially cautious but ultimately fair and committed to justice and legal rectitude. He values evidence and due process. | To uphold the law, ensure justice, and manage legal affairs for his clients, including the Balfour estate. He is motivated by professional integrity and a desire to see David's rights respected and his inheritance secured according to the law. He wants to confirm the truth of David's story and ensure that Ebenezer is held accountable. |
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