Outlander Book Club: Book 2, Chapter 33 breakdown
Just the Outlander chapter
We pick up with Claire and Jenny remaining at Lallybroch while Jamie and Ian head off to Broch Mordha.
Claire has time to think about how easy children have come to Jenny. She also wonders whether she would have been jealous of Jenny after miscarrying Faith. However, Claire is able to see the good and bad of parenting. As much as she’d love a child of her own, she is also grateful that she’s not woken up in the middle of the night by a young boy who hasn’t quite figured out how to use his chamber pot in his room.
It’s a cute moment. We all tend to focus on the positives of parenthood. However, children are a burden. They completely change the family dynamic and our lives, and Claire is honest about that to herself as she contemplates her lack of jealousy.
She also thinks positively about the future. It will happen again—and we know that is the truth.
When Jamie and Ian eventually get back after waiting out the snow, Ian is covered in bruises. It turns out Ian had stepped in a mole hole and broke the wooden leg. They had to wait in Broch Mordha to carve a new one, which is why they were so delayed.
Claire also tells Ian that he’s done a lot of damage to the knee joint. Ian needs to rest, although Ian certainly seems to have other plans. There’s no time for resting!
Jamie shares the full story to Claire. It turns out the bruises came from Jamie. The first night, Ian rolled over in his sleep and cuddled and kissed Jamie. Naturally, Jamie’s mind went to Wentworth Prison and he attacked Ian.
The next day, Jamie had no choice but to tell Ian everything that happened at Wentworth Prison. It’s a huge moment, as Jamie never once thought he would tell anyone apart from Claire the truth. This certainly shows the trust Jamie has of Ian.
Ian didn’t take it too well. As a man of his time, he views Jamie’s actions as shameful. However, the two patch things up on the way back to Lallybroch.
There is a positive moment from the chapter. Jamie gives Claire a piece of amber as an anniversary gift. Claire notes how the anniversary gift is six months late. I do find it interesting that Diana Gabaldon says that Claire doesn’t know her anniversary date, yet she says that the anniversary occurred while Jamie was in the Bastille and she was with King Louis. Is this just a rough date, then?