# Kidnapped — Themes

> Major themes in Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## Loyalty and Betrayal

The book explores loyalty through the steadfast bond between David Balfour and Alan Breck, set against betrayals by David's uncle Ebenezer, Captain Hoseason, and others who prioritize greed and self-interest over honor.

## Justice and Injustice

Themes of legal and moral injustice pervade the narrative, from David's wrongful kidnapping and disinheritance to the political persecution of Jacobites and the corrupt application of law in the Highlands.

## Coming of Age

David Balfour's journey from a naive country boy to a resourceful and principled young man, shaped by hardship, danger, and his friendship with Alan, forms the core of his maturation.

## Class and Identity

The story examines social hierarchies and personal identity through David's struggle to claim his rightful inheritance as a Balfour of Shaws, and through the clash between Lowland and Highland cultures.

## Friendship and Comradeship

The unlikely friendship between the Lowland Whig David and the Highland Jacobite Alan Breck demonstrates mutual respect, sacrifice, and loyalty that transcends political and cultural divides.

## Greed and Corruption

Greed drives the actions of Ebenezer Balfour, Captain Hoseason, and others, leading to kidnapping, murder, and exploitation, highlighting the corrupting influence of money and power.

## Survival and Resilience

David endures shipwreck, starvation, exposure, and pursuit across the Highlands, demonstrating physical and mental resilience in the face of extreme adversity.

## Honor and Code of Conduct

Characters like Alan Breck and the Highland clans adhere to a strict code of honor, valuing courage, secrecy, and loyalty, which often conflicts with the legal and moral standards of the Lowlands.

## Political Conflict and Rebellion

The aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745 shapes the setting, with characters living under threat of persecution, exile, and violence due to their political allegiances.

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