Jamie learns a little more about Tom Christie in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 48
Despite being on the side of beating as a punishment, Jamie checks in on Malva in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 48. It’s a chance for him to learn a little more about Tom Christie.
We’ve had a chance to learn a little about the man. Jamie has his opinions formed from the time at Ardsmuir. It can sometimes be hard to comprehend the idea that these two just wouldn’t like each other because of religion, but that’s what it mostly boiled down to. Plus, Christie wanted to lead men and Jamie was the one with the power there.
That doesn’t mean Jamie actually knows the man all that well. He learns much more when it comes to speaking with Malva. I love this chapter because it reminds us that everyone sees what they want, and we can put up a front for everyone we meet. Only we know our actual selves.
The chapter certainly foreshadows a few things. There are some family secrets that are left unmentioned in this chapter.
I’m also expecting to see the chapter developed in the series in some way. I’m not sure if it’s going to be exact, but it’s going to be enough to help us understand Christie more as well as Jamie’s feelings about the man.
Let’s dive into A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 48.
Just the Outlander chapter
Jamie goes to pay the Christies a visit. While he’s not too concerned about Tom beating Malva, he does want to check up on the family. That’s when he comes across Malva on his own, where she finds a small snake and gets a fright. After his snakebite, Jamie is rather calm about being around a snake. I know in later books he’s a little more on edge around them. Is it a front he’s putting on?
The topic eventually moves onto Malva spending time with Claire, a woman that a lot of people view as a witch. That’s not too surprising considering her healing abilities for the time, but it doesn’t stop it stinging now and then.
Jamie wants to know what Tom thinks about Malva spending so much time with Claire. Tom doesn’t forbid it, but it’s clear that Tom isn’t completely happy about the idea.
When Jamie brings up the topic of suitors for Malva, she gets scared. She doesn’t want Tom to hear that there are men interested in her, and Jamie realizes that he’s at least diligent in protecting Malva’s virtue. Oh, if only Jamie knew at this point.
What happened to Tom’s wife? He married while in the Colonies but his wife left him and went back to Scotland. That’s not something Tom would ever want shared with anyone due to pride, and Jamie makes a mental note that it’s why Tom would have people believe her dead. He starts running through the ages of Malva and Allan knowing how soon after Culloden Tom was arrested.
The chapter is mostly about learning a little more about Tom, but the subject does change to Malva sharing how she’s never been to the Highlands. She’s heard that Fraser’s Ridge is a little like the Highlands, and Jamie confirms that some elements are. However, Jamie can’t take his mind off Tom Christie’s wife who left him.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
There is a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter. It initially starts with the comment about suitors. Jamie thinks that Tom is protecting his daughter. To be honest, Tom at one point might have thought he was. However, it’s hard to protect her from Allan Christie. Malva is not as innocent as she makes out to be.
There is also more to the Christie story. Jamie is trying to put the family tree together. Malva’s birth would have had to be around the time Tom got out of Ardsmuir and as an indentured servant. It’s the only want timelines can match up. However, we know in later chapters that Malva isn’t Tom’s daughter at all.
There’s a reason Tom doesn’t talk about either woman he married. He is ashamed of both of them.
Adapting A Breath of Snow and Ashes chapter
I do think some of this chapter is going to be developed for Outlander Season 6. We need some of it as Jamie needs to learn a little more about the Christie family. Having Malva share some of the details is the best way to do that. If not with Jamie, then with Claire at least.
However, this chapter offers a little more than just sharing details about the Christie family. It’s a chance for Malva and Jamie to be alone. There is a huge storyline involving Malva and her claims about who she is with. There’s no way the series can skip that, and having this moment will help to lead to that.
What did you spot while reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 48? Let us know in the comments below.
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