Why doesn’t Tom make Malva wear a cap in Outlander?
During Outlander Season 6, Episode 3, Tom made a big deal about Claire not wearing a cap. Why doesn’t he force Malva to always wear one?
While treating Tom’s hand, Claire has to face a few questions. One of those is why she doesn’t wear a cap. Tom points out that Claire should wear one, and fans of the books will know that Tom isn’t the only person who thinks that. We know Claire isn’t someone who would wear a cap in her own time, though. She’ll wear one when and if she wants.
One question a lot of fans brought up was why Tom wouldn’t make Malva wear a cap. If he made such a big deal about Claire not wearing one, why wouldn’t he force his daughter into wearing one?
This all comes down to expectations of the time, and Diana Gabaldon did clarify this on Facebook.
Why doesn’t Malva wear a cap in Outlander?
There are times that you’ll see Malva with her cap and her hair tied up. This is usually while in church, and the location and reasoning behind the cap is important. It’s not necessary for Malva to always wear a cap.
Tom notes that Claire is a “pious married woman.” This is the reason Claire is expected to wear one but not Malva. Unmarried women wouldn’t necessarily need to wear a cap.
The cap was a sign of modesty and respectful of her husband and family. The idea was that women would tie their hair back and have it placed under a cap. The cap was also an outward sign that a woman was married so that others wouldn’t go after her. Of course, we know Jamie would never consider forcing Claire into wearing a cap, and he doesn’t care that she doesn’t have this outward sign of marriage. Roger also doesn’t make Bree wear one.
When Malva is married, she’d be expected to wear a cap. You’ll see the married women on the Ridge do wear caps (except Claire and Bree). It’s also rare to see the married women with their hair down.
dark. Next. What is Malva hiding about her family in Outlander?