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Chapter 27
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Kidnapped, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Political Conflict and National Identity
Trust and Betrayal
Justice vs. Injustice
Coming of Age
Summary
Analysis
David feels a new sense of dignity after cleaning up and donning borrowed clothes, but he also experiences some embarrassment at appearing so suddenly respectable. Rankeillor, now more comfortable treating him as a gentleman, reveals the strange backstory behind the quarrel between David’s father and Ebenezer. In their youth, both brothers fell in love with the same woman, but it was David’s father who won her heart. In a misguided act of generosity, David’s father allowed Ebenezer to keep the estate while he himself married the woman and lived in poverty. Rankeillor explains that this emotional compromise led to years of injustice, especially for David, and he advises pursuing a settlement that avoids a public legal battle.
Here, David’s external appearance shifts from that of a fugitive to someone who appears more respectable, but the transition also makes him feel uncomfortable. As Rankeillor explains the complicated history between David’s father and Ebenezer, the emotional weight of David’s family history becomes clear. The compromise David’s father made was one of emotional sacrifice, and the fallout from this act of kindness is what has left David in the position he’s in. Rankeillor’s insight into this past highlights how the consequences of emotional decisions can ripple through generations, creating injustice that lasts far beyond the initial act.
Active
Themes
David agrees with this plan but insists that any arrangement must expose the kidnapping, which he sees as the central wrong. Rankeillor cautions that public testimony might also expose Alan to danger, and he urges discretion. David outlines a plan that involves Alan, and though Rankeillor at first balks, he grows increasingly intrigued. He eventually has his clerk, Torrance, prepare a legal document and agrees to accompany David to meet Alan, while pretending not to recognize him in order to protect both himself and Alan. The three of them set off for the ferry pier near the Hawes Inn and Rankeillor jokingly announces that he has forgotten his glasses, clearly a ruse to avoid legally identifying Alan if things go awry.
David’s insistence on exposing the kidnapping, despite Rankeillor’s caution, shows his deep sense of moral duty. For David, the kidnapping represents the core wrong, and without exposing it, justice cannot truly be achieved. His plan to involve Alan, despite the risks, highlights his loyalty and determination to protect his friend. Rankeillor’s growing interest in David’s plan and his eventual agreement to accompany him suggests that David has gained a valuable ally—one who is far more suited to handle Ebenezer than David himself.
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Themes
When they reach the rendezvous point, David locates Alan in hiding and updates him on the plan. Alan’s spirits lift at the prospect of action, and Rankeillor soon joins them, formally greeting Alan as “Mr. Thomson” while pretending near-blindness. The group then travels together to the House of Shaws under cover of darkness. David and Torrance hide at a corner of the house with Rankeillor, while Alan boldly approaches the door and knocks on it.
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