Flight of the Heron read-along: Part IV chapters 5-6

[regshoe]

I'm afraid real life is being stressful at the moment and I'm feeling a bit frazzled, so no comment from me today—but here's the post, so others can start on the discussion. :)

Next week we'll read chapter 7, the final chapter of Part IV.

Comments

[luzula]

I love how this time around Keith is not blazingly angry and hasn't lost his judgment when he confronts a superior officer on an issue concerning Ewen. I mean, it was definitely very satisfying to see him that way with Lord Loudoun, but it's equally satisfying to see him sacrifice his chances of advancement with full deliberation and knowing exactly what he's doing and what it's costing him. Especially when it has been set up from the beginning that military ambition is what he has left to care about...but then, he has something else to care about now. ♥

And we talked last time about how he still doesn't fully realize his feelings, and once he's removed from Ewen it's all a mystery to him once again. But actually he doesn't completely let go of it this time. Saving Ewen Cameron’s life he did not for an instant regret; he would have done the same again without a moment’s hesitation, nor did he regret his return to the shieling in the guise of the Good Samaritan; but to have dashed in that manner back to Fort Augustus while carrying a despatch, still more to have thrust himself into Lord Loudoun’s presence and almost to have brawled there—was it any wonder that he had found himself under arrest?

He seems to retain a fair amount of his feelings about saving Ewen's life and nursing him at the shieling. But he's all "OMG what was I thinking?" about his behavior with Loudoun. Which, no wonder! He could have achieved more for Ewen if he had kept his head, after all. But then he doesn't write to Ewen--his care for his military career still weighs heavier. Which actually makes it all the more effective when he sacrifices that in the next chapter! And does it without being in Ewen's presence, too.

tgarnsl had a great theory on a previous post about the use of "womanish" to refer to Greening, and that it could reflect Keith's projection of his doubts about his own masculinity when he is so overwhelmed by feeling about Ewen. I very much like this theory, especially because it shows Keith's awareness at some level of the nature of his feelings! Unfortunately it might be somewhat undermined by the fact that Greening is described that way in this week's Ewen chapter, as well. But I think I will choose to interpret it that way anyway! : )

Oops, I mostly commented on Keith's chapter--well, I'll come back to comment on Ewen's tomorrow. I have no research reading written up this week; instead I've been sewing an 18th century men's shirt! : D It's not completely done, but maybe I'll put up some photos tomorrow of what I've got so far.

regshoe: I'm sorry you're feeling stressed! I hope things calm down soon. <3

[osprey_archer]

Keith is slowly inching closer to understanding! Maybe if it was eight or ten meetings instead of five, by the last one he would understand it all even without the immediate goad of Ewen's presence to reminds him...

Looking forward to seeing pictures of the shirt!

[regshoe]

Aww! That's why we have to keep giving them more meetings in fanfic, obviously :D

[regshoe]

to see him sacrifice his chances of advancement with full deliberation and knowing exactly what he's doing and what it's costing him.

Argh, yes, exactly!

...but then, he has something else to care about now. ♥

:)

Hehe, Keith is getting there with his understanding...! I also like the... definiteness? implied in the fact that Keith's choices for Ewen in this chapter are so coolly made and deliberate rather than rashly impulsive. The goodness that Ewen inspires in him is more definitely established now, perhaps? Though it is also his own sense of honour that leads him to refuse to go to Carlisle, of course—but that too is something he shares with Ewen, as this pair of chapters show so clearly.