Why does John Cinnamon believe he’s John Grey’s son in Outlander?

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Why does John Cinnamon believe he's John Grey's son in Outlander?

As a reader deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, I must say that John Cinnamon‘s story has left an indelible mark on my heart. His life, fraught with misunderstandings and longing, is a testament to the complexities of family and identity.

In the novel “Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone“, we encounter John Cinnamon, who is also mentioned in “An Echo in the Bone“. However, his story predates the main “Outlander” series.

In one of the tales featuring Lord John Grey, Cinnamon is first introduced, and it’s this very story that provides all the answers. Notably, when we encounter Cinnamon, he firmly believes that Lord John Grey is his father. However, it’s revealed later on that John isn’t his dad, but he does know who the real father is.

It’s puzzling why Cinnamon might think that Lord John Grey could be her father, given that Malcolm Stubbs, who is John’s relative by marriage (cousin-in-law), is supposed to be her father.

John Cinnamon grew up in a Catholic orphanage in Outlander

Prior to encountering Cinnamon, it’s mentioned that his hair resembles cinnamon bark in color. His backstory reveals that this hair hue is the origin of his name. Apart from this, not much else is known about him.

Willie learns from Cinnamon that his childhood was spent at a Catholic orphanage. He suspects, based on this knowledge, that Lord John Grey might be his father since it was John who left him there. Additionally, he’s aware that his mother passed away when he was barely an infant.

It’s been discovered that the priest who cared for Cinnamon assumed Lord John Grey was his biological father. At that point, John was too exhausted to clarify the truth, so Cinnamon grew up under the impression that John was his dad. All he desired was to meet him, not out of resentment but from a longing to connect. He wasn’t upset about being placed in the care of the Catholic Church; instead, he had a compassionate nature.

Lord John Grey paid for John Cinnamon in the books

In “Lord John and the Custom of the Army,” it’s revealed that Cinnamon was born from an illicit relationship between Malcolm Stubbs and an Indian woman in Quebec. John, his relative, feels betrayed by this revelation, and Malcolm, overwhelmed and unsure, finds himself in a difficult position. To add to his troubles, Malcolm loses a limb in battle and is subsequently returned to England.

As a compassionate soul, I, too, find it heart-wrenching to witness an innocent child endure pain, more so when I learn that his mother succumbed to smallpox. In this tragic circumstance, the boy’s grandmother is unable to care for him, and in desperation, she entrusts him to my care – Lord John Grey.

As a gamer, I’m not just the one buying gaming equipment for my character, John Cinnamon, from his grandmother. I also make sure he has everything he needs. Each year, I even send a priest £5 in exchange for a lock of John’s hair and an update on his progress. It’s clear that people might think I’m a stand-in father, someone who may not be emotionally present but is committed to supporting him financially.

As a gamer, I’ve always known John to be a character with a golden heart. He’s shown time and again that he stands by people. For instance, he took William under his wing, treating him as his own flesh and blood. He’s never failed to watch over his cousin, as well as his niece and nephews. So, it was only natural for him to extend the same care to this young lad, who is not just a friend, but also a part of our family circle.

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2024-08-06 21:37