How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I have but one word to say," said I; "for to all this dispute I am a perfect stranger. But the plain common-sense is to set the blame where it belongs, and that is on the man who fired the shot. Paper him, as ye call it, set the hunt on him; and let honest, innocent folk show their faces in safety." But at this both Alan and James cried out in horror; bidding me hold my tongue, for that was not to be thought of; and asking me what the Camerons would think? (which confirmed me, it must have been a Cameron from Mamore that did the act) and if I did not see that the lad might be caught? "Ye havenae surely thought of that?" said they, with such innocent earnestness, that my hands dropped at my side and I despaired of argument. (19.38)
It would appear that James and Alan are saying that keeping up appearances among their allied clans ("what [would] the Camerons [. . .] think?") is more important than telling the truth and letting "honest, innocent folk show their faces in safety." What's the logic here? Why does Davie describe them as speaking with "innocent earnestness"? Can we tell anything about the Stewart moral code from this exchange?
Quote #8
Now this was one of the things I had been brought up to eschew like disgrace; it being held by my father neither the part of a Christian nor yet of a gentleman to set his own livelihood and fish for that of others, on the cast of painted pasteboard. To be sure, I might have pleaded my fatigue, which was excuse enough; but I thought it behoved that I should bear a testimony. I must have got very red in the face, but I spoke steadily, and told them I had no call to be a judge of others, but for my own part, it was a matter in which I had no clearness. (23.20)
Why does Davie suddenly decide to throw down with Cluny Macpherson, and about a subject (gambling) that he's shown no interest in before? How do Davie's actions here influence the rest of the plot?
Quote #9
"My dear boy," cries [Rankeillor], "go in God's name, and do what you think is right. It is a poor thought that at my time of life I should be advising you to choose the safe and shameful; and I take it back with an apology. Go and do your duty; and be hanged, if you must, like a gentleman. There are worse things in the world than to be hanged." (30.5)
Originally, Rankeillor suggests that Davie should absolutely not try to get involved in the Duke of Argyle's trial of James Stewart. But Davie is sure that he has a moral obligation to save an innocent man. This is one of the rare examples where one character actually manages to change another character's mind about the morality of what he's doing. Why do so few moral discussions in this novel actually result in persuasion? Can you really change another person's mind on questions of morality?