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Chapter 28
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
Alan knocks persistently at the door of Shaws until Ebenezer cautiously peers out from his window, gun in hand. Alan identifies himself only vaguely and insists on discussing his business outside the house. With much hesitation, Ebenezer descends and sits on the doorstep, weapon in hand, while Alan weaves a fictional tale about David being rescued after a shipwreck and now held at the expense of Highland gentlemen. Alan implies that Ebenezer can either pay to retrieve David or to have him killed. Ebenezer tries to deny any concern or responsibility for David, but Alan corners him with sharper insinuations, suggesting that Ebenezer paid to have the boy kidnapped. Eventually, when Alan mentions Hoseason, Ebenezer admits to his crime, not realizing he is being observed. At this, Rankeillor, David, and Torrance step out, revealing the trap.
Alan knocks persistently on the door to get Ebenezer’s attention and force a confrontation. By insisting that the discussion happen outside, Alan ensures that the others—Rankeillor, David, and Torrance—will be able to overhear the conversation, making it a public admission of Ebenezer’s guilt. Alan knows that getting Ebenezer to confess in front of witnesses will make it harder for him to back out or deny the truth later. Furthermore, the implication that Ebenezer must choose to pay for David’s release or allow him to be killed pressures him into a corner. Of course, Ebenezer makes the selfish and immoral choice, which is what ultimately does him in.
Active
Themes
Ebenezer is stunned into silence, his guilt fully exposed. Alan disarms him, and Rankeillor leads him inside to settle the legal matter. By the end of the night, David signs an agreement granting him two-thirds of the Shaws estate income. Though the others fall asleep, David lies awake in the kitchen, overwhelmed by the sudden reversal of fortune, planning what his new life might become.
