Jamie continues to learn about the world through Virgins section 8. I think this is a part of his life when he learns that not everything is fair or right. Sure, he would have known some of that at Lallybroch, but he’s learning things the hard way while in France.
We’re reminded that Jamie has been in France before in this section. Ian mentions university, but this time, his life in France is different. It’s harsher, and he’s learning that people do terrible things.
Breaking down Virgins section 8
The two men are digging a shallow grave for the deceased Jewish attacker. One thing that Jamie doesn’t understand is why a Christian burial is being given to the man considering he was Jewish. Ian remarks that it’s “no a verra civilized life,” and brings up the civilized life that university was, reminding us that he was in France before. That makes Jamie angry, but he holds it back because he doesn’t want to fight.
It turns out that the burial is more of a way to avoid repercussions. The D’Englise, the captain, won’t want the man’s friends to find his body and realize that he was tortured. This would lead to attacks of revenge, and everyone wants to move on. Burying the body is the best way to do that, but it only has to be a shallow grave.
When they’re done, they place the body in the grave and then cover it up. The two discuss what they’re meant to do next, because saying a Christian prayer over a Jewish man seems like more of an insult. I love that despite this man attacked them, they are still respectful of his religion. I’m starting to see why Jamie understood Claire’s need to heal the enemy troops during various battles in Scotland now.
In the end, they decide to leave a stone each, building somewhat of a cairn, which is the normal thing for people of Scotland. That’s when thoughts of the answers the D’Englise got come up. Did he get some answers? Well, they hope he did.
Could this section be used in a TV adaptation?
I don’t think a lot of time will be spent on this, as it’s not a major part of the story in Virgins. This is more just to show Jamie’s development from the past, as he learns more about life in general. So, I could see this part being skipped over.
Maybe there could be a mention of the Christian burial at some point between them. I would like to see it, but we don’t necessarily need it, and I could see this being a short miniseries, so there wouldn’t be much time for it.
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