ABOSAA: Discuss Part Five here

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Five parts in and I'm only about 1/3 of the way through the book.  Lots of things yet to happen. 

Part Five - Great Unexpectations
Chapters 35 - 39

1.  What did you think of Fergus “inducing” Marsali’s labor?



2.  Given the circumstances, what do you think of their relationship?



3.  Both Jamie and Fergus feel they failed to protect their wives.  Given the circumstances of the abduction, do you think either of them are justified?



4.  Did you expect there might be something wrong with Marsali’s baby considering the injuries she sustained at the malting shed?



5.  From the Mayo Clinic website:

Most dwarfism-related conditions are genetic disorders, but the causes of some disorders are unknown. Most occurrences of dwarfism result from a random genetic mutation in either the father's sperm or the mother's egg — rather than being in one of the parent's complete genetic makeup.

Discuss Henri-Christian’s condition, the attitude of the people on the Ridge, and his future.



6.  Do you think Fergus knew he was not pulling his weight in the family, or did he only realize it when he thought about Henri-Christian’s future?



7.  What did you think of Ian’s story of the loss of his daughter?  How do you think it affected him?



8.  Do you think helping the MacCallum’s is giving Roger a sense of purpose?



9.  What did you think of Grannie Wilson coming back to life?  Do you think Claire will be accused of witchcraft again because of it?

[millie34]

1.  What did you think of Fergus “inducing” Marsali’s labor?
   I’ve never heard of this but it does make sense.  I do recall hearing that having intercourse would induce labor.  I guess anything that would make the uterus contract would help.



2.  Given the circumstances, what do you think of their relationship?
   I was surprised to see Fergus be so tender with her.  They love each other, but are under a lot of strain.



3.  Both Jamie and Fergus feel they failed to protect their wives.  Given the circumstances of the abduction, do you think either of them are justified?
   Fergus may feel he was to blame, that he should have been in the malting shed instead of his wife, except that he couldn't do the work with one arm.  I don’t see how Jamie can blame himself either.  He couldn’t possibly be with Claire all the time.



4.  Did you expect there might be something wrong with Marsali’s baby considering the injuries she sustained at the malting shed?
   I thought she would lose the baby in childbirth, never expecting that it would be a dwarf.



5.  From the Mayo Clinic website:

Most dwarfism-related conditions are genetic disorders, but the causes of some disorders are unknown. Most occurrences of dwarfism result from a random genetic mutation in either the father's sperm or the mother's egg — rather than being in one of the parent's complete genetic makeup.

Discuss Henri-Christian’s condition, the attitude of the people on the Ridge, and his future.
   I guess they were regarded as curiosities.  They were not wanted by their families and were sold, abandoned or killed at birth.



6.  Do you think Fergus knew he was not pulling his weight in the family, or did he only realize it when he thought about Henri-Christian’s future?
   He knew it all along, but was struck by the fact that his son would not live a normal life.  He would not be able to care for a family any better than he.



7.  What did you think of Ian’s story of the loss of his daughter?  How do you think it affected him?
   So sad!  It had to have changed him.  He's holding all that grief inside of him.  He finally got to talk about it.


8.  Do you think helping the MacCallum’s is giving Roger a sense of purpose?
   You always get more than you give.  He already was sensitive and caring, and helping the MacCallum’s could only be a source of satisfaction to him.



9.  What did you think of Grannie Wilson coming back to life?  Do you think Claire will be accused of witchcraft again because of it?
   That’s why they put bells on the outside of coffins, with a string on the inside.  They probably buried a few people alive.  They wouldn’t understand the medical circumstances and would easily attribute it to witchcraft.  It was nice that Mrs. Wilson got a chance to forgive Hiram before she died.
   

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

1.  What did you think of Fergus “inducing” Marsali’s labor?
   I’ve never heard of this but it does make sense.  I do recall hearing that having intercourse would induce labor.  I guess anything that would make the uterus contract would help.

Walking works, too, but Fergus had this "unusual" childhood. 

2.  Given the circumstances, what do you think of their relationship?
   I was surprised to see Fergus be so tender with her.  They love each other, but are under a lot of strain.

Yes, they do love each other.  I would think Marsali would be tired of being the only one keeping the family together, but apparently, she's content.

3.  Both Jamie and Fergus feel they failed to protect their wives.  Given the circumstances of the abduction, do you think either of them are justified?
   Fergus may feel he was to blame, that he should have been in the malting shed instead of his wife, except that he couldn't do the work with one arm.  I don’t see how Jamie can blame himself either.  He couldn’t possibly be with Claire all the time.

It seems to me that some tools could be easily adapted to allow Fergus to do some work.  A leather strap for his hook fastened to the handle of rakes, shovels or hoes would give him the ability to work with them.  Surprised Bree hasn't thought about it.

7.  What did you think of Ian’s story of the loss of his daughter?  How do you think it affected him?
   So sad!  It had to have changed him.  He's holding all that grief inside of him.  He finally got to talk about it.

It's the first thing we have heard of what happened to Ian with the Mohawk.  Yes, it helped him, but I think he offered the story to Marsali as comfort for her.

[izzykolo]

2.  Given the circumstances, what do you think of their relationship?
   I was surprised to see Fergus be so tender with her.  They love each other, but are under a lot of strain.

I really was touched by this. Marsali is really okay with having the bulk of the labor rest on her shoulders; she just wants Fergus home.

[izzykolo]

9.  What did you think of Grannie Wilson coming back to life?  Do you think Claire will be accused of witchcraft again because of it?
   That’s why they put bells on the outside of coffins, with a string on the inside.  They probably buried a few people alive.  They wouldn’t understand the medical circumstances and would easily attribute it to witchcraft.  It was nice that Mrs. Wilson got a chance to forgive Hiram before she died.
   

Ohh...that's a horrible thought. That was a pretty funny scene. Thankfully, Roger stepped in to calm the situation.

[izzykolo]

1.  What did you think of Fergus “inducing” Marsali’s labor?
An interesting technique; obviously, very effective 

2.  Given the circumstances, what do you think of their relationship?
We haven’t seen a great deal of love between the two of them in awhile. It was very sweet to see them so close and affectionate with each other again.

3.  Both Jamie and Fergus feel they failed to protect their wives.  Given the circumstances of the abduction, do you think either of them are justified?
I don’t, but they would. Men at that time (especially with a Highlander upbringing) would see their primary role as protecting their wife and family, with violence, if necessary.

4.  Did you expect there might be something wrong with Marsali’s baby considering the injuries she sustained at the malting shed?
Yes, I really thought the baby would die.

5.  From the Mayo Clinic website:

Most dwarfism-related conditions are genetic disorders, but the causes of some disorders are unknown. Most occurrences of dwarfism result from a random genetic mutation in either the father's sperm or the mother's egg — rather than being in one of the parent's complete genetic makeup.

Discuss Henri-Christian’s condition, the attitude of the people on the Ridge, and his future.
He would be considered a freak, unless something amazing happens to shift the opinion of the masses. I hope it does, but doubt it. I have concerns for his welfare.

6.  Do you think Fergus knew he was not pulling his weight in the family, or did he only realize it when he thought about Henri-Christian’s future?
Yes, he knew, that’s why he was never home. In spite of the fact that he, obviously, loves Marsali, he’s escaping from his situation, instead of trying to deal with it.
You’re right Gertie, Bree could have rigged something to help. 

7.  What did you think of Ian’s story of the loss of his daughter?  How do you think it affected him?
I am amazed by the power the women in the tribe have. Ian is still mourning and, until now, unwilling to share his story with anyone. I was touched by the tenderness he showed baby Henri-Christian. I’m sure we’ll hear more from Ian.

8.  Do you think helping the MacCallum’s is giving Roger a sense of purpose?
Yes, I think he feels good helping others when he can and, more importantly, he’s making a difference, and he knows it.

9.  What did you think of Grannie Wilson coming back to life?  Do you think Claire will be accused of witchcraft again because of it?
DG did a great job with this scene. Listening to Grannie go after Hiram was quite comical. Mrs. Wilson was a pretty tough cookie. On the other hand, how sad it would have been if she died speaking such angry words. And she would have, without Roger stepping in and asking that she “compose her soul.”
Many of these people were already frightened by Claire. Her presence at the “resurrection” would certainly be cause for concern. 

[NessaBug]

My favorite part of the funeral scene was Jemmie. He saw her move or open her eyes or something. And the ladies kept trying to shush him. And poof! Awake she came! I giggled so much at that part.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

My favorite part of the funeral scene was Jemmie. He saw her move or open her eyes or something. And the ladies kept trying to shush him. And poof! Awake she came! I giggled so much at that part.

It was a very funny scene.