Book AnalysisThe main character David in Kidnapped is used by readers to visualize someone like them 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 boy to a heroic and knowledgeable man. Through his association with Alan Breck, he learns a lot about the "real world", about living under difficult conditions, and about justice. At the end of the novel he manages to outwit his scheming uncle and reclaim his inheritance. His adventure was 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay David the Protestant Whig, is also an excellent character to interact with the Highland Jacobite, Alan Breck. By turning David into a lowland boy, Stevenson is able to examine the Scottish clans from a more curious and unfamiliar perspective. At first the novel aroused a very negative opinion about the highlanders. By the end of the novel David has come 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 disappearing, in Stevenson's time. Kidnapped is set in mid-18th century Scotland. The main character, David Balfour, is a boy who sets out into the world to seek his fortune and faces hardship and danger in his travels, but returns as a man to reclaim his rightful inheritance. Planning to rob him of his inheritance, David's uncle had him kidnapped. David becomes friends with Alan Breck, a fugitive Jacobite leader, who is on the same ship as David. At sea, David and Alan become companions and have numerous adventures. There are many suspenseful events such as naval battles and dangerous chases through the Scottish halls. The central theme of Kidnapped is the friendship between Alan and David. They are an unlikely couple: the young, naive, properly Protestant Whig, David Balfour, and the older, rebellious, adventurous, Jacobite Catholic, Alan Breck Stewart. Stevenson may have wanted to demonstrate 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 for a short time after the shipwreck the two separated. Luckily, David kept the silver button Alan gave him. It is symbolic of Alan both in the plot itself, by showing the button to people, David is able to find out what Alan's instructions were, and, in a larger sense, it is symbolic of the guidance Alan gives to David throughout the novel. Keep in mind: This is just one example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion Overall I really enjoyed this novel. I found it interesting mainly because it reflects a part of Scotland's history. I'm part Scottish so I appreciated this factor. Stevenson chose a very unique way to bring the two main characters, David and Alan, together. They were part of two different Scottish clans who have a history of enemies. Stevenson showed their likes and differences in a way that made them perfect companions. Although this novel would be more suitable for boys than girls, I would recommend it to people interested in adventure novels.