VOYAGER: Chapter 16: Willie

repoman · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:58 pm

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Voyager, by Diana Gabaldon
Chapter 16 ~ Willie

As the title proclaims, this chapter introduces us to William, Viscount Dunsany, the ninth Earl of Ellesmere, in his boyhood. Unfortunately, his parents are deceased, his grandparents are elderly, and his only aunt is quite young. The result is a very spoiled boy.

William is growing up on a horse ranch. His grandfather encourages him to ride at a very early age. This physical exercise helps him to overcome his baby fat. The horses do not respect his title. These are positive factors in William’s development.

Another factor is the groom, Mac (Jamie). Jamie, despite his role as a servant, has a hard time controlling his reaction to William’s outrageous behavior. Jamie does use his time with Willie to try to improve his behavior. Jamie, in a small way, does have a hand in raising his son.

Meanwhile, this chapter also develops the story of Jamie’s life. Jamie finds that his life at Helwater is rather pleasant. His needs are met. He gets fresh air and exercise. He works with horses. The other servants keep a respectful distance due in part to the rumors about what really happened at Ellesmere. Jamie is happy with his decision in the last chapter to delay his departure from Helwater.

After our observations of Jamie as Laird at Lallybroch, Jamie as Captain of his warriors in the Rising, Jamie running Jared’s wine business, and Jamie as leader of the prisoners at Ardsmuir, were you surprised that he is happy at Helwater to have minimal responsibility?

But, the day comes that Jamie is dreading. A visitor remarks on the similarities between groom and young Earl. The time has come for Jamie to end these pleasant times and ask for his promised release.

So, Jamie prepares for his departure. He knows that saying farewell to Willie will be tough. Willie’s actions during this farewell scene certainly display his behavior problems. Jamie takes rather bold actions to correct Willie, including spanking him. The result of this scene is a rather touching farewell that includes development for Willie.

How did you feel about Jamie losing his temper and calling Willie “Ye little b*st*rd”?

What did you think of Willie’s defensive reaction to this term?

Did Jamie redeem himself with his apology?

Are you wondering how much time has elapsed at Helwater? We know from Chapter 14 that he arrived in September, 1756.

How old was Willie when Jamie leaves? We know from Chapter 15 that Willie was born in January, 1758.

We know that Jamie leaves in the middle of September with pardon in hand courtesy of Lord John. But what year? Peeking ahead to Chapter 17, Brianna found the pardon dated 1764. So, Jamie spent almost exactly eight years at Helwater, and Willie was six and three quarters years old when Jamie said farewell.

TwilightTINK · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:07 pm

Great summary repoman!

Was I surprised he was happy at Helwater? Not really. It seems like it would have to be a relief to be able to take a break from all the responsibility, to be able to be just a man. To be able to enjoy the mundane aspects of life without having to care for everyone had to be a nice respite. And we know Jamie loves horses so he was in his element there.

audiobooklover · **Joined:** Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:09 pm **Posts:** 2683

Can I just say Ditto to everything TINK said? :agree:

I felt so bad for Willie for knowing that he'd been called a b*st*rd and therefore having that strong reaction. Jamie clearly didn't mean it in that way. He was basically saying "You little brat!" but chose poorly with the word he used. I was glad that they had a warm and affectionate goodbye because I know they both meant a lot to each other. But, I was sorry that Jamie had to leave him not knowing if he'd ever see his son again.

Pauline · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:09 pm

I know I said it in the previous summary but Jamie was really enjoying this working vacation he was on at Hellwater. The parting between Willie and Jamie was especially bittersweet. He disciplines him as no other person in Willie's life has before and then bestows his treasures. A horse sculpture and rosary beads. What better objects embody Jamie's essence and what better inheritance can he give his heir?

TwilightTINK · **Posted:** Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:31 pm

How did you feel about Jamie losing his temper and calling Willie “Ye little b*st*rd”?

I thought it was an honest reaction to a child with too much power throwing a tantrum. I hated it for Wee Willie but Jamie didn't know that William had heard the rumors surrounding his conception so he didn't do it out of malice. We sometimes say things in anger that we regret.

What did you think of Willie’s defensive reaction to this term?

I thought it was telling that William had heard the gossip. Poor boy should never have been exposed to it.

Did Jamie redeem himself with his apology?

I don't know that he needed redemption but it was more fence mending. He didn't want his son growing up with the idea that his favored 'groom' thought ill of him.

Are you wondering how much time has elapsed at Helwater?

I always assumed it was 5 or 6 years.

Yolie_the_Insomniac · **Posted:** Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:07 pm

repoman wrote:

Voyager, by Diana Gabaldon
Chapter 16 ~ Willie

As the title proclaims, this chapter introduces us to William, Viscount Dunsany, the ninth Earl of Ellesmere, in his boyhood. Unfortunately, his parents are deceased, his grandparents are elderly, and his only aunt is quite young. The result is a very spoiled boy.

William is growing up on a horse ranch. His grandfather encourages him to ride at a very early age. This physical exercise helps him to overcome his baby fat. The horses do not respect his title. These are positive factors in William’s development.

Another factor is the groom, Mac (Jamie). Jamie, despite his role as a servant, has a hard time controlling his reaction to William’s outrageous behavior. Jamie does use his time with Willie to try to improve his behavior. Jamie, in a small way, does have a hand in raising his son.

Meanwhile, this chapter also develops the story of Jamie’s life. Jamie finds that his life at Helwater is rather pleasant. His needs are met. He gets fresh air and exercise. He works with horses. The other servants keep a respectful distance due in part to the rumors about what really happened at Ellesmere. Jamie is happy with his decision in the last chapter to delay his departure from Helwater.

After our observations of Jamie as Laird at Lallybroch, Jamie as Captain of his warriors in the Rising, Jamie running Jared’s wine business, and Jamie as leader of the prisoners at Ardsmuir, were you surprised that he is happy at Helwater to have minimal responsibility?

Not surprised. It was actually a relief to hear that Jamie had experienced some moments of happiness. It's true that Jamie is a natural leader, but by this point, he was tired of all that he had to endure in the past and I feel he was grateful for all the accommodations; no serious responsibilities, being around the animals he loved, and not being pestered by those around him. I strongly believed Jamie must have been suffering from depression and appreciated his solitude.
But, the day comes that Jamie is dreading. A visitor remarks on the similarities between groom and young Earl. The time has come for Jamie to end these pleasant times and ask for his promised release.

So, Jamie prepares for his departure. He knows that saying farewell to Willie will be tough. Willie’s actions during this farewell scene certainly display his behavior problems. Jamie takes rather bold actions to correct Willie, including spanking him. The result of this scene is a rather touching farewell that includes development for Willie.

How did you feel about Jamie losing his temper and calling Willie “Ye little b*st*rd”?
I felt Jamie just called him that term simply as an immediate response to Willie's behavior, but I remember thinking to myself, "Jamie, what were you thinking calling him that? You should know better." What did catch me by surprise was not so much that he called him that but the fact that he resorted to calling his son a demeaning term to begin with and also saying that he wasn't "fond of him either." Maybe it was the times, but I can't imagine calling my children anything derogatory. (thinking it is something else, no? hehehe)

What did you think of Willie’s defensive reaction to this term?
With all the rumors swirling around about Willie's parentage, it would seem natural for Willie to respond in some way. Especially since he is a child who is still learning. Most likely his grandmother, who loved him very much, was preparing Willie for such a moment and told him that he should not be called that.
Did Jamie redeem himself with his apology?
As Tink mentioned, I don't think Jamie needed to redeem himself to us readers. He realized his folly and made amends. He was trying to console a child's hurt feelings, but groom or not, I think Jamie should have listened to the call of his heart and knelt and embraced Willie. I doubt Willie would have refused and probably would have appreciated it.

VOYAGER: Chapter 16: Willie

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