Kidnapped: Story and structure
20 lenses on story and structure for Kidnapped by R.L. Stevenson. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A17 A18 A19 A20
A1. Where do the big beats fall as a % of the book: inciting incident, midpoint, low point, climax? Both
Midpoint at about 52% (Ch 17). See the full lens on the book page.
A2. What is the inciting incident and how many words in does it land? Both
David leaves home with his father's letter in Chapter 1, around 2,000 words in. This sets him on the path to claim his inheritance and meet his uncle.
Chapters: Ch 1
I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace 1751 (Ch 1, para 1)
give my boy this letter into his hand, and start him off to the house of Shaws, not far from Cramond (Ch 1, para 6)
A3. How many acts or parts, and how long is each? Both
11 named parts or acts. The longest is CHAPTER XVIII at 28,063 words.
| Part | From chapter | Chapters | Words | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | 1 | 1 | 1730 | 2% |
| CHAPTER II | 2 | 1 | 1950 | 2% |
| CHAPTER III | 3 | 1 | 2694 | 3% |
| CHAPTER IV | 4 | 1 | 2990 | 4% |
| CHAPTER V | 5 | 2 | 4333 | 5% |
| CHAPTER VII | 7 | 5 | 12204 | 15% |
| CHAPTER XII | 12 | 6 | 17016 | 21% |
| CHAPTER XVIII | 18 | 9 | 28063 | 35% |
| CHAPTER XXVII | 27 | 1 | 2866 | 4% |
| CHAPTER XXVIII | 28 | 1 | 2748 | 3% |
| CHAPTER XXIX | 29 | 2 | 3816 | 5% |
The book has no formal act divisions marked. It runs as 30 chapters in one continuous narrative arc, rising from David's departure through kidnapping, flight, and recovery of his inheritance.
A4. Scene log: goal, conflict and outcome for every scene. AI
30 chapters logged. See the full lens on the book page.
A5. Which scenes shift a value (safe to unsafe, love to hate) and which stay flat? AI
Chapters 1 to 4 shift from hope to danger (safe to unsafe). Chapter 6 shifts from freedom to captivity. Chapter 17 shifts from fugitive to hunted. Chapters 7 to 8, 14 to 15, 23 to 25 are breather chapters with recovery and rest.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 4, Ch 6, Ch 17, Ch 7, Ch 8
none that was so crushing to my mind and body, or lit by so few hopes, as these first hours aboard the brig (Ch 7, para 2)
I had borne up well until this last disappointment; but at that I came ashore, and flung myself down upon the sands and wept (Ch 14, para 10)
A6. What changes at the midpoint and how does the lead's plan change? AI
At Chapter 17, David witnesses the Red Fox's murder and becomes a hunted fugitive. His plan shifts from legal recovery of inheritance to survival and flight with Alan through the Highlands.
Chapters: Ch 17
But just as he turned there came the shot of a firelock from higher up the hill; and with the very sound of it Glenure fell upon the road. (Ch 17, para 24)
Just inside the shelter of the trees I found Alan Breck standing, with a fishing-rod. He gave me no salutation; indeed it was no time for civilities; only “Come!” says he (Ch 17, para 45)
A7. How do the subplots weave? Thread map by chapter. Both
6 threads. See the full lens on the book page.
A8. Setups and payoffs: what is planted, where, and where it pays off. AI
8 setups traced. See the full lens on the book page.
A9. How many try and fail cycles before the goal is met? AI
David faces five major try-fail cycles: escape his uncle (fails, kidnapped), survive the ship (succeeds with Alan's help), reach Alan after shipwreck (fails, separated), cross the Highlands hunted (fails repeatedly, nearly dies), confront Ebenezer (succeeds with Rankeillor's help).
Chapters: Ch 4, Ch 6, Ch 9, Ch 13, Ch 17, Ch 20
one of my feet rested that moment within two inches of the well (Ch 4, para 33)
I ken that fine,” said he; “but if we are driven back on Appin, we are two dead men. So now, David man, be brisk! (Ch 22, para 21)
A10. How do the stakes rise chapter by chapter? AI
Stakes rise from family mystery (Ch 1 to 4) to kidnapping and slavery (Ch 6 to 8) to murder accusation and manhunt (Ch 17) to near-death exhaustion (Ch 22 to 24) to final confrontation with uncle (Ch 29).
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 6, Ch 17, Ch 22, Ch 29
none that was so crushing to my mind and body, or lit by so few hopes, as these first hours aboard the brig (Ch 7, para 2)
By what I have read in books, I think few that have held a pen were ever really wearied, or they would write of it more strongly. (Ch 22, para 34)
A11. Do scenes link by "but" and "therefore", or only "and then"? AI
Scenes link primarily by 'and then' sequence. Few causal 'but' or 'therefore' connectors. Chapter 6 to 7 uses 'but' (kidnapped but survives). Chapter 17 to 18 uses 'but' (accused but flees with Alan).
Chapters: Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 17, Ch 18
A12. Map to the 15 Save the Cat beats. AI
Opening image (Ch 1), Call to adventure (Ch 1 to 2), Refusal (Ch 3 to 4), Meeting mentor (Ch 9 to 11), Crossing threshold (Ch 6), Tests and allies (Ch 7 to 16), Approach (Ch 17), Ordeal (Ch 22 to 24), Reward (Ch 27), Road back (Ch 26 to 28), Resurrection (Ch 29), Final image (Ch 30).
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 9, Ch 6, Ch 7
I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace 1751 (Ch 1, para 1)
Well, good-bye,” said Alan, and held out his left hand. (Ch 30, para 15)
A13. Map to Yorke's five acts. AI
Act One (Ch 1 to 6): David seeks inheritance, is kidnapped. Act Two (Ch 7 to 16): David enslaved, meets Alan, shipwrecked. Act Three (Ch 17 to 22): David hunted fugitive, flees with Alan. Act Four (Ch 23 to 28): David recovers, seeks legal help. Act Five (Ch 29 to 30): Confrontation and resolution.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 16, Ch 17, Ch 22
A14. Map to the hero's journey stages. AI
Ordinary world (Ch 1), Call (Ch 2 to 4), Refusal (Ch 4), Meeting mentor Alan (Ch 9), Crossing threshold (Ch 6), Tests (Ch 7 to 16), Ordeal (Ch 22 to 24), Reward (Ch 27), Return (Ch 26 to 28), Resurrection (Ch 29), New world (Ch 30).
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 9, Ch 6, Ch 7, Ch 22
I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace 1751 (Ch 1, para 1)
Well, good-bye,” said Alan, and held out his left hand. (Ch 30, para 15)
A15. Crisis choices: what hard choice does the lead face in each act? AI
Act One: Trust uncle or flee (Ch 4, chooses to flee). Act Two: Help Alan or stay safe (Ch 9, chooses Alan). Act Three: Separate from Alan or stay hunted (Ch 24, chooses Alan). Act Four: Interfere in James's case or stay safe (Ch 30, chooses caution).
Chapters: Ch 4, Ch 9, Ch 24, Ch 30
That will I!” said I. “I am no thief, nor yet murderer. I’ll stand by you. (Ch 9, para 64)
I must help him out of the county at whatever risk; but in the case of James, he was of a different mind. (Ch 30, para 3)
A16. Reveals and twists: where they fall and how they were hinted. AI
Chapter 4 reveals uncle tried to kill David (hinted by evasiveness in Ch 3). Chapter 6 reveals kidnapping plot (hinted by innkeeper in Ch 5). Chapter 17 reveals Red Fox murder (sudden, no hint). Chapter 29 reveals Ebenezer paid for kidnapping (hinted by his guilt in Ch 3 to 4).
Chapters: Ch 4, Ch 6, Ch 17, Ch 29
one of my feet rested that moment within two inches of the well (Ch 4, para 33)
I gave him twenty pound. But I’ll be perfec’ly honest with ye: forby that, he was to have the selling of the lad in Caroliny, whilk would be as muckle mair, but no from my pocket, ye see. (Ch 29, para 57)
A17. Timeline: story time against page time, gaps and flashbacks. Both
Story spans June 1751 to later that year, roughly six months. Narrative is linear with no flashbacks. Chapter 28 contains exposition about David's father's death (backstory). Pacing compresses the Highlands flight (Ch 17 to 26) into intense weeks.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 28, Ch 17, Ch 26
I will begin the story of my adventures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace 1751 (Ch 1, para 1)
For,” says he, really with embarrassment, “the matter hinges on a love affair. (Ch 28, para 2)
A18. Sequences: which runs of chapters form one mini story? AI
Sequence 1 (Ch 1 to 6): David's journey to inheritance and kidnapping. Sequence 2 (Ch 7 to 13): Ship captivity and shipwreck. Sequence 3 (Ch 14 to 16): Island survival and Highland journey. Sequence 4 (Ch 17 to 26): Flight and fugitive life. Sequence 5 (Ch 27 to 30): Legal recovery and resolution.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 7, Ch 14, Ch 17, Ch 27
A19. Ratio of plot chapters to breather chapters. Both
24 plot chapters (tension 3 or more) against 6 breather chapters (tension 1 or 2): about 4.0 plot chapters for each breather.
Tension (AI, 1 to 5), chapter by chapter
Plot chapters (action, conflict, revelation): 22 chapters. Breather chapters (rest, recovery, talk): 8 chapters. Ratio is roughly 3:1 plot to breather, keeping momentum high.
Chapters: Ch 1, Ch 7, Ch 14, Ch 17, Ch 23
A20. Luck count: where does chance help or hurt the lead? AI
Luck helps: Alan rescued from sea (Ch 9), fishermen find David (Ch 14), Cluny's men capture David (Ch 22, turns out to be allies), serving lass steals boat (Ch 26). Luck hurts: shipwreck separates David and Alan (Ch 13), Red Fox murder implicates David (Ch 17).
Chapters: Ch 9, Ch 14, Ch 22, Ch 26, Ch 13, Ch 17
I cannot tell if I was more tired or more grateful. Both, at least, I was: tired as I never was before that night; and grateful to God as I trust I have been often, though never with more cause (Ch 13, para 48)
she had set us on the Lothian shore not far from Carriden, had shaken hands with us, and was out again at sea and rowing for Limekilns, before there was one word said either of her service or our gratitude (Ch 26, para 92)
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