MAES 6: Seeking Redemption

[renaiya880727]

AN: James Dillon is perhaps one of the most complex characters in the first novel. Most of what goes on in his head is shown to us through the lens of Stephen’s meetings with him, his private thoughts regarding his old friend, and of course what he writes about him. Judging Dillon on Stephen’s assessment, we can safely assume he found some closure

Comments

[eglantine_br]

Poor Dillon. Just human, like the rest of us. Wonder what he would have become had he lived longer.

[esteven]

He had been jealous, as indeed he was jealous of all men who had received their promotions before him, and seemingly with lesser cause.

The poor man. He was certainly competent and would have deserved a promotion. I would like to think that if he had lived through the Cacafuego action Jack would have mentioned him favourably. Thank you for giving him his voice.

Thank you also for these MC: MAES For me they have become part of canon when I think of the different povs.

[rifleman_s]

"... and a thousand and one other things that Dillon could scarcely name all marked Jack Aubrey as a man apart in the world of the navy."

I agree that Dillon is a complex mix of a man and you've proved just how his mind would be working at such a time; thank you for writing his story.

[heather_mist]

I think this is my favourite of them all, I love the delicacy and reflectiveness you bring to it, it is entirely believable, particularly as we know from canon how conflicted - and sensitive - Dillon was.

Although O'Brian never shows us his characters at the moment of their death (they always happen 'offscreen'), I'd like to think that if he did this is how he would do it. Thanks for sharing!

[alltoseek]

I echo heather's thought about this being a favourite - although all your oakums really bring a character to life in a new way.

Dillon certainly deserved much more - we can understand perfectly his jealousy and misunderstanding of Jack.

And his horrible Fate regarding the American - so like a Greek tragedy - the more he does to avoid it, the closer he gets to it. Damned is he does, damned if he doesn't D:

I love the peace and closure you bring to him, especially the notion that he sees his actions with clarity at his death, losing the self-delusions.

Brava!