# II: I Come to My Journey’s End explained — Kidnapped

> Chapter companion for Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

David Balfour arrives in the parish of Cramond and seeks directions to the House of Shaws. He encounters suspicious and ominous reactions from locals, including a curse from Jennet Clouston. Undeterred, he reaches the dilapidated house and, after a tense confrontation, is reluctantly admitted by his uncle, Ebenezer Balfour.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Identity

David's humble appearance contrasts with the expected grandeur of the House of Shaws, and his identity as a Balfour is met with suspicion and hostility.

### Coming of Age

David's journey to Shaws marks his first major step into the world, confronting disillusionment and danger as he asserts his independence.

## Character check-ins

### David Balfour

Arrives at the House of Shaws after a journey from Essendean, facing ominous warnings and a hostile reception from his uncle.

### Ebenezer Balfour

Appears at a window with a blunderbuss, suspicious and reluctant to admit David, but eventually lets him in after learning his identity.

### Mr. Campbell

Mentioned as the minister David left behind in Essendean; David briefly considers returning to him.

## Key lines

> The pride of life seemed to mount into my brain at the sight of the redcoats and the hearing of that merry music.

Seeing the soldiers and hearing the fifes filled David with a sense of pride and excitement.

_David's youthful enthusiasm is stirred by the military display._

> Blood built it; blood stopped the building of it; blood shall bring it down.

The house was built through violence, its construction halted by violence, and violence will ultimately destroy it.

_Jennet Clouston's curse foreshadows the dark history of the House of Shaws._

> I am not ashamed of my name. They call me David Balfour.

David proudly declares his identity, refusing to hide his name despite the ominous circumstances.

_David asserts his lineage and courage in the face of his uncle's hostility._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/ii-i-come-to-my-journey-s-end
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kidnapped_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters