Chapter 7 - Davie Beaton's Closet

Since this whole adventure is just one big science experiment, I decided on this chapter to experiment with not only reading the chapter, but listening to it while reading it. I must say, Davina Porter's performance on the audio version is really stunning to me. Hearing the accents and pronunciation of obscure (to me) Scottish names, places and things increased not only my comprehension of the story (since I wasn't trying to figure out how things should be pronounced), but I'm finding my appreciation of the story increased as well.

One of the things I am really enjoying about the story is how Diana doesn't always explain what a term is, and leaves us to find out from context clues what it is. Things like "breeks" for britches; "kiss the iron" for (what I think relates to) honoring the pope (or converting to Catholicism); "theriac" for poison antidote. These little "treasure hunts" are the types of things that appeal to me, where the meaning is not right out there, but becomes evident if you apply yourself a bit.

I also appreciated the opportunity to take a break from everything new that Claire was experiencing and to get a glimpse into what she could remember about her time travel experience.

"I had tried repeatedly to think about everything that had happened to me since I stepped through the standing stone. But things moved so rapidly around this place that I had hardly had a moment to myself when I wasn't asleep. Apparently I had one now, though..."

I'm not sure why, but this little respite in the action was refreshing to me. The description of her recalled experience is very "Dr. Who"-ish, but we do glean a couple of other glimpses or snapshots of things that may or may not come to pass in the story: what were the terrifying images she "had fought away from" during the maelstrom of the time-passage; had she really "fought toward others?"

When she brings Jamie his lunch out at the horse fields again, he recounts the story of why he was a wanted man, and how it is all a case of mistaken identity for the murder of the sergeant-major who had flogged him. But he adds enticingly:

"Though had it been Captain Randall, I expect I'd ha' made the effort."

The way Black Jack keeps coming up in the story, the scene is definitely being set for what I can only assume will be the ongoing antagonism between the characters as the story unfolds. His physical likeness to Frank; the fact that he is the moral antithesis of her husband; he's the bane of our hero Jamie, and a well-reputed enemy of the Castle Leoch; yes, it is a masterfully applied interweaving of delicious villainy.

Obviously, since my wife has read all of the books, and I have been exposed to everything Outlander since Seattle, I knew Jamie's last name was not MacTavish. While it wasn't the whole explanation, it was nice to have that back-story explained a bit in this chapter, as well.

As Claire drifts off to sleep in the afternoon sun while Jamie and Old Alec talk horses, Claire recounts:

"Oddly contented and drowsy, I pushed away all thoughts of Colum's suspicions, my own predicament, and other disturbing ideas. 'Sufficient unto the day,' I thought sleepily, picking up the biblical quotation from some recess of memory."

Interesting usage of this biblical quotation from Matthew 6:34, the full text of which reads: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." The context of this saying comes on the heels of God's provision for those who "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things [food, drink, clothing] shall be added unto you."

The psychology of picking and choosing bible verses for our own edification (and not entirely in its full context) is a natural human tendency that fascinates me. I have been guilty of that very thing myself from time to time. It seems that in a time of crisis, the mind seeks to make sense of unusual things and events, to find solace with the known in the midst of upheaval; so it is here with Claire pulling a comforting slice of scripture from "some recess of memory".

As she makes her way back to the castle, Claire considers the shape of the scar on Jamie's head that he had showed her while recounting his tale of woe:

"It wasn't a straight line, as might be made by an English broadsword. The wound was curved, as though made by a blade with a definite bend. A blade like a Lochaber ax? But so far as I knew, the murderous axes...were...carried only by clansmen..."

Hmm. Not sure exactly how Claire would have known a detail like that, unless I missed it earlier in the story. But it is an interesting twist to the shroud of mystery surrounding Jamie's past.

The detailed descriptions of all of the late-medieval medical tools and potions made for some interesting reading at the last part of the chapter. All I have to say after reading that is, "Thank God for modern medicine and indoor plumbing." :)

Chapter 3 - The Man in the Wood

Okay, now we're cookin' with gas. Once this chapter is off and running, it just keeps going. From meeting new 18th century characters, to field dressing war wounds, to skirmishes, this chapter never slows pace.

Favorite quote:

"'I can handle a single redcoat wi' one hand -- maybe even two of them,' he said, a bit boastfully, 'but not three.'" - Jamie

I like how this shows that even Jamie understands his own limits. While he may not be humble, he is at least a realist.

Favorite scene:
As much as you might think my favorite scene might be Claire popping Jamie's shoulder back into place, or the skirmish with the English at Cocknammon Rock, I am actually amazed at how strikingly descriptive the portrayal is of the night scenery. The way the starlight (with no city lights to drown it out) colors and highlights all of the characters; how the half moon causes shadows to appear deceptively 3D as Claire tries to walk the road towards what she thinks is Inverness. I know I've experienced that same sensation myself walking down our long gravel driveway toward home at night where I grew up. In my opinion, this is the type of imagery that provides the liquid backdrop for the characters to perform in.

A sideways reference to St. Paul's stance on the silence of women demonstrates how Claire is a modern woman, not limited by the constraints of old dogmatism. When the men are shocked at her profanity, one of the men states how her husband should "tan her" for her swearing. Not only does she tell him "You can mind your own business," but she adds, "and so can St. Paul." This passage from 1 Cor. 14:34 is almost always quoted out of context, and this unnamed ruffian, as would be expected, follows suit. However, the point is well made, that Claire knows her mind and is not afraid to speak it. I know it's still early, but if I'm reading Claire right, in general I think I would tend to agree with her that pragmatism far outweighs a rigid and sterile orthodoxy based only on customs and traditions.

I'm still amazed at how quickly characters are being introduced, establishing the storyline early on. With this basic outline, it appears that Claire and Jamie are off on their first adventure. (Oh, wait...I guess it would be their second adventure, since they just had one...)

Chapter 1 - A New Beginning

I had this idea that in order to maintain some consistency and provide some basic insights regarding my male perspective during this "journey into the world of Outlander",  I would post my favorite quote, scene, and most surprising aspect for each chapter with a brief explanation and some additional comments.

Perhaps you would like to help create this blog's community and share your favorites in the comment section at the end of each post?

Favorite quote:

"You are not to play dolls with my Persian grave figurines. Anything else, but not that. Got it?" - Uncle Lamb

This is hilarious to me and just sounds like something that I would say to my inherited niece if I was unattached and focused on my work. To me it shows a professionally focused but tender way of "bonding" with his niece. I'll probably end up a grumpy old man (but hopefully with a good heart). It was cool to see him involve her in his work, and that she would become a well-traveled and knowledgeable woman.

Favorite scene:
When Frank related how he encountered the "ghost" outside Claire's window.

When I lived for a couple of years in England, I thought it would be cool to do some ghost hunting in some of the most historical places in the world. I had visited Borley Rectory in Essex, and when I was there, I coincidentally encountered some actual paranormal investigators who had permission to run tests on the nearby church building after hours. They shared stories of recorded voices and sounds of individuals walking about the church when it was locked at night, and alleged poltergeist vandalism of tossed Bibles and knocked over icons found the following morning.

There was also a local story of a murdered nun whose apparition on certain nights could supposedly could be seen on her routine vigil walking through the church yard. The strange thing is that she would appear to be walking about six inches off of the ground. It was explained that the level of the grade used to be at that height at the time she was alive. 

Those who had seen her said that it would appear that she was simply replaying the same events the same way, like a recording in time. She would have no influence from any observers or weather conditions, much like the Scotsman whom Frank sees outside Claire's window. Reading that just reminded me of the similarity of those descriptions. (And, no, I never personally witnessed any apparitions or ghostly events at Borley).

Most surprising elements:
1) I was amazed that the terms "outlander" and "sassenach" were introduced right here in the first chapter. No big deal, just surprising that these now-iconic terms show up so early in the story.

2) Frank describes the Druidic calendar, or "holy" days, which is essentially the Wiccan calendar still in use. (I just saw advertisements for a Beltane festival in recent weeks in my hometown).

3) Frank describes the practice of a sacrifice being killed when a home's foundation is laid, based on a local tradition "as old as the hills." This brought immediately to mind the quote, "He shall lay the foundations thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it," which is actually not from Gaelic tradition, but the Bible and while not as old as the hills, it does date back a very long way to about 3500 years ago and a specific event regarding the ancient Hebrews. It appears word-for-word in the King James Bible at Joshua 6:26 as a curse that Joshua pronounces on anyone who would take it upon themselves to rebuild the city of Jericho once God had destroyed it. This prophetic curse literally came to pass when Hiel the Bethelite did indeed rebuild Jericho, but it was at the expense of his firstborn son Abiram and his youngest son Segub in 1 Kings 16:34. It would not surprise me if, through the intervening ages, this truth morphed into the superstition described by Frank. Just goes to show how superstitions that run amok can affect whole cultures.

(Disclaimer: Double-check my "About" page for my background in Biblical studies; don't mean to come across too strong or freak anybody out...)

Do you have a favorite quote from the first chapter, or a favorite scene? Have any questions or comments based on my perspective above? Why not relate it and share in the comments below?