Kidnapped
Robert Louis Stevenson
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
The House of Shaws
What does David learn about his uncle Ebenezer, and about the world, in the House of Shaws?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of the climb up the unfinished stair in the dark?
- Why is Ebenezer so afraid of David?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What does David learn about his uncle Ebenezer, and about the world, in the House of Shaws?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of the climb up the unfinished stair in the dark?
- Why is Ebenezer so afraid of David?
How does being kidnapped aboard the Covenant change David?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of Captain Hoseason and Mr Riach?
- How did you feel about the death of the cabin boy, Ransome?
What draws David and Alan Breck Stewart together, despite all that divides them?
Keep the conversation going
- How did the fight in the roundhouse shape their friendship?
- What do they each admire in the other?
What does the novel show about the divide between Highlands and Lowlands, Whig and Jacobite?
Keep the conversation going
- How does David's view of the Highlanders change?
- What does Alan's loyalty to his exiled chief say about him?
How does the murder of Colin Campbell, the Red Fox, turn David's journey into a flight?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does David run with Alan instead of staying to clear his name?
- Did you suspect Alan was involved?
What did the flight through the heather, hunger and danger, teach David?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of Cluny's Cage and the card game?
- When were you most afraid for them?
Why do David and Alan quarrel so bitterly, and how are they reconciled?
Keep the conversation going
- Who was more in the wrong?
- What does the quarrel show about pride and friendship?
How satisfying was David's return to claim his inheritance, and his parting from Alan?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of the trick played on Ebenezer?
- Why does the parting feel so sad?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.