Setting
 There are two main settings in
Kidnapped. What are they?
 Highlands & Lowlands (Edinburgh)
 In what ways are the highlanders and
lowlanders different?
 Politcally, Attitudes, Religion,
Language
 This is an example of Stevenson
developing the theme of duality
Duality In Setting & Alan and David’s
Relationship
Highlander
Lowlander





Jacobite
Clan Autocracy
Catholic
Generous (102/3)
Quick to take
offence
 Impetuous
 Vengeful
 Alan Breck





Whig
Democracy
Protestant
Careful with money
Concerned with
law and justice
 Sensible
 Cautious
 David Balfour
Setting
 How else is setting used in the novel?
 Examples?
Setting
 Setting is a key aspect of most novels,
and especially of “Kidnapped”. The novel
takes across the breadth of Scotland,
showing us different places in the country
are very different from each other – in
their physical geography, and in how
people in these different places live (their
culture), often in ways which are shaped
by this. The nature of the setting often
hugely affects the mood or atmosphere
of the novel.
Effects of setting
 Mood and atmosphere.
 One of the most important effects
of skilful setting descriptions is to
add to the mood and atmosphere
of the described scene.
The opening chapter
 We have described to us the tranquil, safe surroundings of his
boyhood at Essendean: ‘The sun began to shine upon … the hills …
the blackbirds were whistling in the garden lilacs … I took my last
look of Kirk Essendean, the trees about the manse, and the big
rowans in the kirkyard …’
 The description here is of a peaceful and pleasant part of the
Scottish lowland countryside.
 eg sun connotes ideas of warmth, life-giving properties,
cheerfulness, happiness etc.
 This description creates a positive, optimistic atmosphere:
the sun rising is a metaphor for new beginnings, and this
description suggests that David’s seeking of his new life will
find success
 The mood created is one of tranquillity and safety (this will
contrast sharply with the mood created by later descriptions of
settings in the novel).
Chapter 4
 ‘It was so dark inside, it seemed a body could scarce
breathe … felt my way up in the pitch darkness with a
beating heart.’
 Here we have the dark and dangerous setting of the
House of Shaws (some critics draw attention to the
Gothic elements of darkness, lightning, storm, crumbling
ancient edifice); this is where David’s life is first in danger
on his long journey.
 When David is sent up the tower at the House of
Shaws, by his uncle Ebeneezer, a dark terrifying
atmosphere is created by the description of the
weather – stormy, with thunder and lightening.
House of Fear
 People hiding weapons heightens the
sense of fear. The people are afraid they
will be targeted as a result of Red Fox’s
(Colin Campbell) assassination. P(162164)
 Any other points you make, provided they
are backed up with good analysis, you
will be given marks for
 ‘Forth bridles the wild Hielandman’ (Alan, p. 233)
 The crossing of the River Forth is highly significant
– it represents not just a change of physical
landscape but a return to the Lowland society and
culture to which David belongs. His journey has
come full circle, and in the process he has matured
into a young man with a much greater
understanding of life and people than the naïve
young lad who set out from Essendean.
 Once over the Forth, what differences do we
immediately notice in the relationship between the
two friends in terms of a power dynamic? (270)
 Here, the setting contributes to the development of
Alan and David’s relationship. David is now the one
in charge so to speak.
Theme & Character
 These aspects overlap so it is difficult to
focus on just one.
Theme
 There are two major themes in
‘Kidnapped’. Name them?
 Duality
 Journey to maturity
 What is duality?
 The idea that characters can
potentially behave in different ways
depending on the circumstances
 How is the character of David Balfour
developed??
 Through his journey to maturity
 David sets off on a literal journey from the
innocent place of his protected
upbringing in Essendean, and on a
physical and metaphorical journey to
greater self-awareness and worldknowledge.
(bildungsroman) Coming of age novel
David’s Development as a
Character/Journey to Maturity
 When we first meet David he is??
 Cautious, naive etc
 Through his physical and symbolic
journey he becomes more??
 Adventurous
 Experienced
 Confident
David’s Development as a
Character/Journey to Maturity
 Examples of David becoming more
adventurous, experienced and confident?
 Follows the trail of the silver button
 Fights in the roundhouse
 Boldly asks Colin Campbell for
directions (147)
 Speaks his mind at Cluny’s cage (206)
 Devises plan to trick his uncle (258)
Duality
 Duality is central to the novel Kidnapped.
 It occurs at different levels in the story:
 within the character of the protagonist, David
Balfour and Alan Breck
 in the conflicting characters of David Balfour
and Alan Breck – their relationship
 in the political/geographical/social settings.
 How do characters actions develop the
theme of duality?
 How is the theme of duality developed in
‘Kidnapped’?
Development of Duality through
David’s Character
 David's mixed feelings toward his
adventure.
 On the one hand, exuberant and excited
(potentially adventurous side to his
character).
 On the other hand, nervous and
uncertain (cautious side to him).
David - Duality
 Can you think of an example of when
David shows he is concerned with law &
justice?
 Wants to put himself at the mercy of the
courts after Colin Campbell is killed.
 Think about the devious plot to trick his
uncle. Does this follow his beliefs about
law and justice?
David - Duality
 Duality alert – describe and explain the
mixed feelings David has on being clean
again and dressed in good clothes
(p255).
Alan Breck
 Can you think of any examples of duality
within Alan?
 Ruthless yet quick to repent his
behaviour (213)(fight with David)
 Vain and proud (king’s
name/appearance – doesn’t want to
change even when a wanted man(183189) but can also be humble
 Robin Oig “I’m not fit to blow pipes in
the same kingdom as you.”
Alan Breck
 Brave and skilled soldier – fought off
numerous people in the roundhouse. Yet
terrified when trying to navigate the brig
and ‘turned white’.
 Capable of great generosity toward David
(button) yet can also be cruel as when he
taunts David on the way to Balquidder:
 ‘He spoke a good deal, and never without
a taunt. “Whig” was the best name he
had to give me.’ (p. 218)
Alan
Character Trait
Evidene
Proud
His name – “A king’s name” Also proud to be a Jacobite. Even
when he is faced with danger and outnumbered he remains true to
his beliefs. His mentions that he has a king’s name at every
chance.
On the boat when we first meet him is quick to reach for his gun. Easily
takes offence. Mr. Rankeillor at ending
Quick-Tempered
Experienced/Ruthless
Loyal
Beats back almost the entire crew in hand-to-hand fighting.his
experience shows here as he employs tactics to win a battle in
which he was outnumbered. His experience also shows in his
travels through the Highlands. He knows secret whistles and how to
hide from Redcoats
Puts himself in great danger every time he returns to his homelands, but
still does so quite frequently
Vain
‘For though he had a great taste for courage in other men, yet he admired
it most in Alan Breck.’
Forgiving
He has great redeeming qualities, such as his quickness to forgive and to
repent of his own behaviour. He shows this when he refuses to fight Alan,
regrets taunting him and seeks to help him.
David and Alan
 David, despite the element of
adventurousness within him, comes over
as a fairly timid character in comparison
with Alan Breck.
 Alan and David predominantly display
the recognised characteristics of
Highlander and Lowlander,
respectively.
Duality Task
 David has very mixed feeling towards the
crew of “the brig Covenant”, who are
described on pages 61/62.
 Paraphrase Stevenson’s description of
these feelings.
 Analyse what these feelings show us of
David’s character.
Duality Task
 Read pages 111-112 and look for
examples of duality in some of the
characters
Duality – Minor characters





Captain Hoseason
Mr Riach
Mr Shaun
Ransome
Ebenezer
Captain Hoseason
David says of him, “he was two men, and left the better
one behind as soon as he set foot on board his vessel”
(Chapter VI)
 He is polite and
friendly to David
while they are still
on shore at
Queensferry, and
even warns him
against Ebenezer
 As soon as he has David
in his power, however, the
other side of his nature
becomes evident. He is
ruthless, caring nothing
for David’s predicament.
To him, David is merely a
commodity from which he
can make money.
Captain Hoseason
Good
Bad
 His more pleasant

His
only
concern
side occasionally
when
Shuan
kills
surfaces: he fires
Ransome
is
to
hide
a salute to his
the
murder
from
the
mother from his
authorities.
ship every time it
passes her house.
 Hypocrite – tries to
sell
a
boy
into
 He is a keen
slavery
and
hides
a
church-goer and
murder
never swears
Mr Shaun - Duality
Good
Bad
 The respect the
crew have for
Shuan
 The brutality he
uses on
Ransome
 His gentleness
when sober
 His brutality
when drunk
Mr. Riach - Duality
Good
Bad
 A pleasant man
 Dour/unsympathetic
when drunk
character when sober
 Insists on moving
the sick David out of
the hold and into the
more comfortable
forecastle

Conspires
with
 When the ship is
Hoseason
to
attack
wrecked, he helps
Alan,
Alan to escape.
Ransome
 Ransome - protesting or suffering
because of his treatment in the brig
but
 then preferring a life at sea to that on
dry land.
Ebenezer - Duality
Good
 Refuses to have
David
Bad
 Tries to kill David
by sending him up
House of Shaw
stairs
 Has David
kidnapped killed
 We have looked at Duality in setting &
characters
 David’s development and the theme of
his journey to maturity
 Setting adding to atmosphere
Recap
 David
 Duality
David and Alan
David and Alan’s
relationship
 How is it developed?
 How is it a complex relationship?
David and Alan
 How is their relationship developed?
 Contrasting nature of the characters
developed throughout the text
 For example their political views are
different and their culture too –
Highlander/Lowlander - Jacobite/Whig –
Takes law into his own hands/Lawabiding Experienced/Naive
David and Alan
 Tensions in the relationship but
remain friends –
 fight over Colin Campbell’s death, David
says he will leave him (153)
 Gambling argument – David thinks about
leaving him
 Quarrel – David draws his sword on Alan
Duality
 Duality alert – describe David’s mixed
feelings regarding Alan as they “take to
the heather” (pp188-190).
 Duality alert – describe the mixed
feelings David has for Alan which
foreshadow their quarrel (pp212/3).
 David is tempted to leave Alan on
occasion but remains with him
David and Alan
the theme of duality
David
Alan








Naive
Timid
Rich
Status
Experienced
Ruthless
Poor
Outlaw
David
Character Trait
Stage of the
Novel
Explanation
Innocent/Cautio
us/Excited
Setting off on
his journey
Asks for advice on whether or not he should go. Also then gets excited
about leaving.
Naive
After getting
the upper
hand on
Ebenezor
He is very quick to believe himself the finished article after evading his
uncle’s wicked plot to bring about his death or injury. He then gets
tricked into being kidnapped. A further example is when David believes
himself to be trapped on the islet.
Tactful/fairminded
Aboard the
Covenant
Immediately recognises that Alan is someone he would rather
have as a friend than an enemy. This proves to be a good decision
as they defeat the crew and Alan helps him return to the Lowlands.
Principled/Hono
urable
Does not want
to take Cluny’s
money
Immature
Nearly fights
with Alan
Does not want to take Cluny’s money. He believes in justice and
that a man should pay his debts. He also tells Alan about the
murder plot. This shows his morality as he had easier options but
took the moral decisions. He also feels sorry for Ransome and
wants to help him.
Insults him for fighting for the Redcoats first. Has to risk his life to gain
Alan’s forgiveness
Loyal
End of the
novel
Promises to help clear Alan’s name and send him money for safe
passage back to France. David has received his inheritance and is
now a man of status. He does not need to keep Alan as a friend
but does because of their unbreakable friendship.
David and Alan
 Bond over roundhouse fight
 The relationship is developed through the
admiration the characters have for each other . .
Examples?
 David his exhausted when running to Ben Alder, only
his admiration for Alan keeps him going. (197)
 David admires the Highland code – nobody turns him in
 David admires Alan’s loyalty & generousity – pays both
King George and Ardshiel and puts himself in danger by
returning to Scotland (103)
 Alan admires David when he challenges him to a fight
(223)
 Alan admires David’s morality – roundhouse & Cluny’s
(206)
David & Alan
 Their relationship is developed through
 The admiration the characters have
for each other
 The theme of duality
 Tensions in the relationship but
remain friends
 Contrasting views but remain a close
bond
 Genuine feeling at parting for different
futures even though not much is said
Plans
 Why is it important to plan an answer?
 Improves the structure of your answer
 Gives you more options
 You can be certain that you are
meeting the requirements of the 8
mark question
8 mark question structure
Read the question carefully and then follow this format;
Step 1:
 Identify Commonality – how is a key idea/feature
developed in the passage provided and elsewhere
 Step 2:
 Quote from the text you are given and comment
 Step 3:
 Reference to the rest of the novel and comment
 Step 4:
 Reference to the rest of the novel and comment