The White Feather · Chapter
XII: Dunstable and Linton Go Up the River explained
Dunstable and Linton, resenting the headmaster's ban on the town, decide to assert their independence by going up the river.
What happens
Dunstable and Linton, resenting the headmaster's ban on the town, decide to assert their independence by going up the river. They hire a boat, encounter Albert and his friend, and after a confrontation, Albert falls into the water. Later, while Dunstable and Linton are at the Blue Boar, Albert sabotages their boat, causing it to sink. Dunstable and Linton then commandeer another boat, leaving Sheen to find his boat missing.
Themes in this chapter
Social Ostracism and Peer Pressure
Dunstable and Linton feel compelled to defy the headmaster's ban to assert their status and avoid being seen as submitting to authority.
Bullying and Conflict
The ongoing feud between Dunstable, Linton, and Albert escalates into sabotage and confrontation on the river.
Characters to notice
- Dunstable
Leads the rebellion against the headmaster's ban, hires a boat, and later commandeers another boat after Albert sinks theirs.
- Linton
Joins Dunstable in the river expedition, rows the boat, and discovers their boat has been sunk.
- Albert
Pursues Dunstable and Linton, falls into the water, and later sinks their boat out of revenge.
- Sheen
Mentioned at the end as the owner of the boat that Dunstable and Linton take, leaving him without transport.
Key passages
“There are some proud, spirited natures which resent rules and laws on principle as attempts to interfere with the rights of the citizen.”
Some people naturally rebel against rules, seeing them as an infringement on their personal freedom.
Introduces the rebellious mindset of Dunstable and Linton.
“The fact is, it's a beastly nuisance, but we shall have to go downtown and up the river just to assert ourselves.”
We must go to town and up the river to prove we won't be controlled.
Dunstable justifies their defiance as a necessary act of rebellion.
“Albert leaped. But Linton had had him under observation, and, as he sprung, pushed vigorously with his oar.”
Albert jumped for the boat, but Linton saw him coming and pushed the boat away with his oar.
Describes the moment Albert falls into the water.
“I do believe, the thing's sunk.”
I think the boat has sunk.
Linton realizes their boat has been sabotaged.
“That looks a good enough boat over there. Anyhow, we must make it do.”
That boat over there will have to serve our purpose.
Dunstable decides to take another boat, which belongs to Sheen.