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Essay / A study of a young boy's adventure in the novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
Book AnalysisThe main character David in Kidnapped is used by readers to visualize someone like themselves going through great adventures. Stevenson describes everything he sees with unfamiliar eyes, just as his readers would. The plot of Kidnapped follows David's growth from a naive young boy to a heroic and experienced man. Through his association with Alan Breck, he learns a lot about the "real world", life in difficult conditions and justice. At the end of the novel, he is able to outwit his scheming uncle and claims his inheritance. His adventure served as a rite of passage that made him a much wiser and more mature person. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayDavid the Protestant Whig is also a great character to interact with the Highland Jacobite, Alan Breck. By making David a lowland boy, Stevenson is able to examine the clans of Scotland from a more curious and unfamiliar perspective. At first, the novel created a very negative opinion of the mountain people. At the end of the novel, David came to understand and respect them. David's Adventure, in many ways, was a paean to the Scottish Highland way of life that was rapidly fading, if not extinct, in Stevenson's time. Kidnapped is set in mid-18th century Scotland. The main character, David Balfour, is a boy who goes in search of his fortune and goes through trials and dangers during his travels, but returns as a man to claim his rightful inheritance. Intending to steal his inheritance, David's uncle has him kidnapped. David strikes up a friendship with Alan Breck, a fugitive Jacobite leader, who is on the same ship as David. At sea, David and Alan become friends and experience many adventures. There are many suspenseful events like naval battles and perilous chases through the Scottish corridors. The central theme of Kidnapped is the friendship between Alan and David. They are an unlikely couple: the young, naive and strictly Protestant Whig, David Balfour, and the older, rebellious, adventurous, Catholic Jacobite, Alan Breck Stewart. Perhaps Stevenson wanted to show that Whigs and Jacobites could sometimes meet face to face, and even become friends, despite their bloody history. For most of Kidnapped, Alan serves as David's guide. But shortly after the sinking, the two men were separated. Luckily, David kept the silver button Alan gave him. This is symbolic of Alan both in the plot itself. By showing people the button, David is able to find out what Alan's instructions were and, in a broader sense, this is symbolic of the advice Alan gives David throughout the novel. keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I found it particularly interesting as it reflects some of Scotland's history. I'm part Scottish, so I appreciated that factor. Stevenson chose a very unique way for the two main characters, David and Alan, to come together. They were part of two different Scottish clans who have always been enemies. Stevenson displayed their tastes and differences in a way that made them perfect companions. Although this novel was more about boys than girls, I would recommend this novel to people interested in adventure novels..