The Fiery Cross

“It was difficult to see so many people suffering from things that could have been easily treated in a time of antiseptics, antibiotics, and anesthesia.”

This quotation captures Claire’s frustration and sadness when she provides medical treatment in the 18th century. Although her sophisticated scientific knowledge enables her to save many lives and alleviate suffering, she also faces constraints. The quotation introduces contrast between the 18th and 20th centuries and raises the stakes around decisions for characters who can travel through time and possess knowledge not available in the 18th century.

“He told me—if I wanted to be…whole…again, I had to find a way to forgive Stephen Bonnet. So I did.”

Brianna recounts the advice that Jamie (himself a survivor of sexual violence) shared with her. Brianna desperately wants to move on, even though she struggles to do so. While it later becomes apparent that Brianna has not forgiven Bonnet (especially for the threat he poses to Jemmy), she longs to be free from the traumatic events of her past.

“Were we never to have a little peace, Jamie and I?”

This rhetorical question captures Claire’s frustration and weariness after she learns about Tryon’s orders to raise a militia. Claire has seen many violent conflicts in both the 18th and 20th centuries, and she detests the senseless death that accompanies warfare. Having taken the risks of traveling through time to reunite with Jamie, Claire longs to simply enjoy time with her beloved in peace and security.

“But I have been a hunter for a verra long time, Claire. I willna bring danger to them—I swear it.”

Jamie responds to Claire after she objects to his determination to track down Stephen Bonnet and get revenge. Claire wants Jamie to prioritize his own safety rather than intentionally seeking out a dangerous man, but Jamie confidently reassures her that he can safely execute his plan, developing the theme of Masculinity as a Social Construct, as Jamie feels the need to prove his masculinity by facing danger. The quotation reveals the complexity of Jamie’s character: At times, his love and protectiveness toward his family can actually create danger because he stubbornly refuses to heed the many people who caution him to leave Bonnet alone.

“Under the influence of brandy and emotion, I could easily see too the ranks of ghosts who stood behind them; the families and friends who remained still in Scotland, whether on the earth…or under it.”

At the celebrations after Roger and Brianna’s wedding, Claire is moved by the many Scottish immigrants who gather and pledge their loyalty to Jamie. Especially due to the violent events of the Jacobite uprisings, many of the Highlanders have suffered greatly before traveling to North America and they may not ever return to their homeland. While Claire, Roger, and Brianna have left behind their lives in the 20th century, many of the 18th-century characters have left behind lives and people they loved as well, the “ranks of ghosts” she sees behind the people, illustrating a point of connection between the characters regardless of their origins.

“For the most part, I felt no regrets. I had chosen to be here; I wanted to be here. And yet now and then small things like our conversation about immunity made me realize just how much had been lost.”

Claire muses on the challenges in her life after she tries, with limited success, to explain vaccinations and immunity to Jamie. Claire deliberately chose to return to the 18th century because she wanted to reunite with her beloved, but she sometimes feels lonely and isolated. As a physician, Claire is also particularly aware of how much more dangerous life is in the earlier period of history.

“But these men—there is no debt of blood between them and me. They are not Frasers; I am not born either laird or chief to them.”

Jamie contemplates gathering men to serve in his militia and reflects on how life in the American colonies differs from life in Scotland. Scottish Highland culture involves a complex system of loyalty and allegiance, which Jamie is very comfortable navigating; he has a noble bloodline and many personal qualities that make him a strong leader. However, in America, the men around him (even the Scottish immigrants) do not necessarily have to abide by these traditions, and Jamie is moved by their freely chosen loyalty to him.

“And if Roger found himself now bard to a displaced Highland chieftain, still he must try also to be a warrior when the time came, for the sake of his son, and those who would come after.”

This quotation captures Roger’s struggle to adapt to his new circumstances and the expectations that accompany them. Roger is not accustomed to the violence of the 18th century and struggles with expectations that he will engage in warfare alongside his father-in-law. Nonetheless, Roger reveals his loyalty and adaptable nature by trying to conform to 18th-century standards of masculinity, developing the theme of masculine empowerment by fulfilling the ideas of the era.

“For the hundredth time since the men had left, she wished passionately that she could have gone with them.”

This quotation captures Brianna’s frustration as a new mother and a woman charged with significant domestic responsibilities that are not always appreciated or respected. Brianna is accustomed to 20th-century gender norms and sometimes struggles with the differing responsibilities allotted to men and women in the 18th century. Brianna finds it frustrating to be left out of adventurous exploits, evidenced by her hyperbolic statement that she is wishing to go with them “for the hundredth time.”

“I had no notion what was going on, or what might happen next, but at least I knew for sure that I was right. Betty had indeed been murdered.”

This quotation captures Claire’s confusion as a chaotic scene erupts when Philip Wylie and Stephen Bonnet interrupt her while she is performing an autopsy on Betty’s body. Claire’s keen intellect and medical knowledge alert her to the suspicious nature of Betty’s death, and she confirms these suspicions when she finds glass in Betty’s stomach. The revelation of Betty’s murder deepens suspension and tension within the plot with a small mystery that is entangled with the longer narrative arcs of the series.

“Her face was calm, but I was her mother, and I saw the fear move in her eyes, like a snake through water.”

This quotation captures Claire’s reaction as she observes Brianna when the latter learns that Stephen Bonnet has been seen nearby. Although Brianna tries to put her traumatic past behind her, she is terrified of Bonnet. The simile of a snake foreshadows Jamie’s snakebite and also reveals how Bonnet repeatedly intrudes on an otherwise peaceful and happy life, like a snake entering the garden of Eden.

“And here was the same creation, no longer new, perhaps less innocent, but no less marvelous.”

When Roger and Herman Husband pray together, they achieve a moment of strange spiritual transcendence. Roger is left struck by Husband’s inner beauty and temporarily sees the wonder of every human being, similar to how he marvels at his infant son. The quotation develops Roger’s character by revealing his strong spiritual core and ability to connect and empathize with others.

“He had an irresistible urge to make some physical connection between them—this time for her sake, as much as his.”

This quotation describes the moment where Roger impulsively gives Morag MacKenzie a platonic kiss, unwittingly setting in motion events that nearly cost him his life. Roger is moved because Morag is one of his ancestors, and he feels a strong emotional connection to her, but he doesn’t consider the consequences of this action when her husband observes it. The quotation captures Roger’s impulsive nature, as well as demonstrating how simple actions can have volatile consequences, a recurring concept in the novel and series.

“A brilliant light blazed up behind his eyes, and he heard nothing more but the bursting of his heart and the distant cries of an orphaned child.”

This quotation describes the dramatic moment when Roger almost dies. The narrative is told from a close third-person perspective to capture the experience from Roger’s point of view, capturing his confusion as his body shuts down and creates confusion as to whether he will live or die. The visceral description sets the stage for why this event is so traumatic and transformative for Roger and highlights the stakes and dangers of life in the 18th century.

“And whether it is one George or the other who rules in time—this land will be ours.”

Jamie explains his desire to safeguard his land and keep his family secure during the forthcoming upheaval of the American Revolution. His allusions to “one George or the other” points to the transition in power from British rule (under King George III) to independent American statehood (under the leadership of the first president, George Washington). Jamie sees land ownership as the key to autonomy and economic stability.

“But I canna think that men and women are so different, then.”

Jamie and Brianna argue over the dynamic between Brianna and Roger. Brianna vainly tries to explain that she doesn’t want to view Roger as a protector, but Jamie’s view of gender and masculinity is based in 18th-century ideals. The quotation develops the theme of masculine empowerment by fulfilling the ideals of the era through its juxtaposition of the viewpoints from two very different times.

“D’ye ken that the only time I am without pain is in your bed, Sassenach? When I take ye, when I lie in your arms—my wounds are healed then, my scars forgotten.”

Jamie explains to Claire that their love and desire for one another is a source of comfort for him, erasing his physical and emotional pain. As a warrior and a man with a traumatic history, Jamie has to contend with both physical and psychological reminders of his past, as well as The Burdens of Leadership. However, his love for Claire keeps him anchored in the present and grateful for their life together.

“God has made me what I am. He has given me the duty—and I must do it, whatever the cost.”

Jamie explains his near-death experience to Claire. After being bitten by a snake, Jamie chooses to fight for his life rather than surrender to death. He feels a strong sense of responsibility and does not ever want to abandon those who depend on him. Jamie’s sense of responsibility, exemplifying The Burdens of Leadership, extends to both his biological and adopted family, as well as the various members of the Fraser’s Ridge community.

“‘The blood doesn’t matter,’ he said quietly. ‘He’s my son.’”

Roger speaks this quotation after Claire asks whether he would like to pursue testing that could reveal whether Jemmy is his biological son, establishing Love as the Foundation of Chosen Family. Roger uses “blood” in its meanings as both literal blood type and a metaphor for the connection with biological family. Although Roger struggles with his emotions about Jemmy’s uncertain paternity, he eventually decisively claims Jemmy as his own.

“Brianna’s your daughter, aye—but she’s my wife.”

Roger calmly speaks this quotation to Jamie when he explains why he wants to be the one to kill Stephen Bonnet. Although Jamie is a much more confident and skilled warrior, Roger believes that he should be the one to avenge Brianna. The quotation reveals the patriarchal systems that govern 18th-century social norms and also shows Roger adopting the masculine ideals of the time.

“I couldn’t teach her to be a doctor. But evidently I had, without meaning to, somehow taught her to be a mother.”

Claire is moved by the care and empathy that Brianna demonstrates after Claire loses a patient. Brianna becomes more confident and independent over the course of the novel as she navigates being a new parent and coping with her traumatic history. Here, Claire recognizes that she has modeled the role of mother for Brianna and reflects on her daughter’s growth.

“He wrote it with a ball-point pen. My God.”

Claire has a startling realization while reading the journal written by Otter Tooth. His writing implement confirms that Otter Tooth must be a time traveler who brought a modern pen with him to the 18th century, and the specific image of a “ball-point pen” drives home the point. The quotation reveals how even a mundane object like a pen can reflect technological sophistication and function as a marker of modernity.

“Of what ye shall do—you and your family. Now that ye ken both that the wee lad can travel—and what it might mean, if ye stay.”

Jamie speaks to Roger after evidence strongly suggests that Jemmy (like his parents) can time travel. Roger and Brianna now face a significant choice, especially considering the approaching war, about whether to remain in the 18th century. Jamie’s comment to Roger reflects his burgeoning respect for his son-in-law and the choices Roger might make about the welfare of his family.