Robert Louis Stevenson: Kidnapped Passage
Delving into a whole RLS book can be intimidating, so here’s a passage to try in
the classroom.
Approaching Kidnapped in the classroom
It can be tricky for classes to tune into the language of Stevenson so, if possible, read the following
passage aloud and ask the class to what their reaction is. It’s important for them to know that it’s ok not
to understand every word, but just to try and listen to the tone of what’s being said. Do they think that
Davie is really angry, or is there something else making him feel that way?
An introduction to the main character
David Balfour, often called ‘Davie’ in the book, is the main character and narrator of Kidnapped.
When the book opens, Davie is 17 years old and has been recently orphaned. His father had told him to
go live with his uncle Ebenezer near Edinburgh, which begins Davie’s adventures and misfortunes. Over
the course of the book, Davie seems to suffer from really bad luck, including a kidnapping, a shipwreck
and even being accused of murder. Despite his difficulties, Davie shows bravery, determination and
cleverness.
Robert Louis Stevenson was interested in writing characters that had a “dual nature” which
means people who had two sides to them. He was very famous for creating Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, which
is the story of one man who battles between his good and evil side. In a similar way, Davie is a character
with a “dual nature.” He is both kind to his friend Alan Breck Stewart and incredibly cruel. He is brave
when escaping his kidnappers and fleeing to the Highlands, yet he is often afraid. In the passage below,
he can’t help being mean to Alan, even though he feels guilty and ashamed of what he is saying.
Davie’s relationship with Alan is also part of his “dual nature” or “duality.” Davie is a lowland Scot
and a Whig, which means he supports the King of England’s claim to Scotland. This is the opposite of his
friend Alan, who is from the Highlands and a Jacobite, meaning he supports James II’s claim to the
Scottish throne instead. Despite the differences between them and the tension in their friendship, Davie
is very sympathetic to Alan and his family and wants to help him during the book.
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Kidnapped: Chapter XXIV, ‘The Flight in the Heather: The Quarrel’
For long, we said nothing; marching alongside or one behind the other, each with a set countenance: I,
angry and proud, and drawing what strength I had from these two violent and sinful feelings; Alan angry
and ashamed, ashamed that he had lost my money, angry that I should take it so ill.
The thought of a separation ran always the stronger in my mind; and the more I approved of it, the more
ashamed I grew of my approval. It would be a fine, handsome, generous thing, indeed, for Alan to turn
round and say to me: “Go, I am in the most danger, and my company only increases yours.” But for me to
turn to the friend who certainly loved me, and say to him: “You are in great danger, I am in but little; your
friendship is a burden; go, take your risks and bear your hardships alone——” no, that was impossible;
and even to think of it privily to myself, made my cheeks to burn.
And yet Alan had behaved like a child, and (what is worse) a treacherous child. Wheedling my money
from me while I lay half-conscious was scarce better than theft; and yet here he was trudging by my side,
without a penny to his name, and by what I could see, quite blithe to sponge upon the money he had
driven me to beg. True, I was ready to share it with him; but it made me rage to see him count upon my
readiness.
These were the two things uppermost in my mind; and I could open my mouth upon neither without
black ungenerosity. So I did the next worst, and said nothing, nor so much as looked once at my
companion, save with the tail of my eye.
At last, upon the other side of Loch Errocht, going over a smooth, rushy place, where the walking was
easy, he could bear it no longer, and came close to me.
“David,” says he, “this is no way for two friends to take a small accident. I have to say that I’m sorry; and
so that’s said. And now if you have anything, ye’d better say it.”
“O,” says I, “I have nothing.”
He seemed disconcerted; at which I was meanly pleased.
“No,” said he, with rather a trembling voice, “but when I say I was to blame?”
“Why, of course, ye were to blame,” said I, coolly; “and you will bear me out that I have never reproached
you.”
“Never,” says he; “but ye ken very well that ye’ve done worse. Are we to part? Ye said so once before. Are
ye to say it again? There’s hills and heather enough between here and the two seas, David; and I will own
I’m no very keen to stay where I’m no wanted.”
This pierced me like a sword, and seemed to lay bare my private disloyalty.
“Alan Breck!” I cried; and then: “Do you think I am one to turn my back on you in your chief need? You
dursn’t say it to my face. My whole conduct’s there to give the lie to it. It’s true, I fell asleep upon the
muir; but that was from weariness, and you do wrong to cast it up to me——”
“Which is what I never did,” said Alan.
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“But aside from that,” I continued, “what have I done that you should even me to dogs by such a
supposition? I never yet failed a friend, and it’s not likely I’ll begin with you. There are things between us
that I can never forget, even if you can.”
“I will only say this to ye, David,” said Alan, very quietly, “that I have long been owing ye my life, and now I
owe ye money. Ye should try to make that burden light for me.”
This ought to have touched me, and in a manner it did, but the wrong manner. I felt I was behaving badly;
and was now not only angry with Alan, but angry with myself in the bargain; and it made me the more
cruel.
“You asked me to speak,” said I. “Well, then, I will. You own yourself that you have done me a disservice; I
have had to swallow an affront: I have never reproached you, I never named the thing till you did. And
now you blame me,” cried I, “because I cannae laugh and sing as if I was glad to be affronted. The next
thing will be that I’m to go down upon my knees and thank you for it! Ye should think more of others,
Alan Breck. If ye thought more of others, ye would perhaps speak less about yourself; and when a friend
that likes you very well has passed over an offence without a word, you would be blithe to let it lie,
instead of making it a stick to break his back with. By your own way of it, it was you that was to blame;
then it shouldnae be you to seek the quarrel.”
“Aweel,” said Alan, “say nae mair.”
And we fell back into our former silence; and came to our journey’s end, and supped, and lay down to
sleep, without another word.
Teacher notes
Text for extract provided by Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/421/421-h/421h.htm#link2HCH0017
Taking the text apart
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What is happening during this passage?
o Notes: Alan has just gambled away all of Davie’s remaining money while Davie
was sick. Davie is incredibly angry at Alan and his frustration with him reaches its
peak. He thinks that Alan “had behaved like a child, and (what is worse) a
treacherous child. Wheedling my money from me while I lay half-conscious was
scarce better than theft…”
How do you think this will affect the relationship between Alan and Davie?
o Notes: Alan tries to apologise but Davie is too angry and says hurtful things. The
two continue to butt heads, but Davie’s illness worsens and Alan takes him to a
nearby family who are sympathetic to the Stewarts. The two eventually continue
on their way, repairing their relationship along the way.
Think about this part:
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o “It would be a fine, handsome, generous thing, indeed, for Alan to turn round and
say to me: “Go, I am in the most danger, and my company only increases yours.”
But for me to turn to the friend who certainly loved me, and say to him: “You are
in great danger, I am in but little; your friendships is a burden; go, take your risks
and bear your hardships alone –“ no, that was impossible…”
o We learn from this that Alan is in more danger than Davie. What does it make you
think of Davie when we realise he secretly hopes Alan will offer to leave him
alone?
-
It becomes clear that Alan knows Davie doesn’t really want him around, and it makes
Davie angrier. What does it tell you about the character of Davie that he gets crueler
because he’s angry with himself?
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