The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 35: JAMESON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnJameson confronts Ian in a hotel room, having scaled the building to reach him. He reveals he knows Ian’s flat at King’s Gate Terrace actually belongs to his brother, Simon, the Viscount Branford. Ian, though initially drunk, sobers quickly as Jameson presses him for answers. The tension between them is palpable, with Jameson accusing Ian of sending him unprepared into the Devil’s Mercy, where he encountered Simon. Ian dismisses Simon’s involvement but hints at a deeper rivalry, suggesting Simon is leveraging Ian’s recent losses to gain an advantage in the Game.
The conversation shifts to Ian’s family dynamics, drawing parallels between his position as the third son of an earl and Jameson’s as the third grandson of a billionaire. Ian reveals his mother left him Vantage, a prized possession, and offers to pass it to Jameson if he wins it back from Simon. This promise strikes Jameson deeply, though he remains wary of Ian’s motives. Ian’s bitterness toward Simon is evident, and his offer seems driven as much by spite as by genuine intent to reward Jameson.
Jameson shares that Avery has been invited to the Game, while he has not, prompting Ian to strategize. Ian’s urgency suggests the stakes are high, and he presses Jameson for details on his efforts to secure an invitation. Jameson, however, turns the tables, demanding to know why Ian was banned from the Devil’s Mercy. Ian admits to losing too often and displaying a temper, which made the Factotum, Rohan, distrust him. This revelation adds complexity to Ian’s character and raises questions about his reliability.
The chapter ends with Jameson recounting a tense encounter at the Devil’s Mercy, where Rohan disciplined two men for past transgressions. Ian analyzes the situation, recognizing Rohan’s methods of maintaining order. The exchange underscores the cutthroat nature of the Game and the power dynamics at play. Jameson’s determination to secure an invitation is clear, but the chapter leaves lingering doubts about Ian’s trustworthiness and the true cost of winning Vantage.
FAQs
1. What significant revelation does Jameson make about Ian’s living situation, and what does this reveal about Ian’s character?
Answer:
Jameson reveals that Ian isn’t actually living at King’s Gate Terrace—the flat belongs to his brother Branford (Simon), the viscount. This deception shows Ian’s tendency to misrepresent himself and maintain an air of mystery. It also highlights his transient nature and possible financial dependence on his family, despite his outward confidence. The revelation deepens the reader’s understanding of Ian as someone who constructs facades, which aligns with his later admission about being the “third-born son” who struggled to measure up to his accomplished brothers.2. Analyze the significance of Ian’s promise to leave Vantage to Jameson if he wins it back from Simon. What does this exchange reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Ian’s offer to bequeath Vantage to Jameson serves multiple purposes: it’s both a strategic motivator and an emotional appeal. By framing this as a future inheritance, Ian acknowledges Jameson as a potential heir—a significant gesture given their previously strained paternal relationship. The promise also reveals Ian’s deep-seated rivalry with Simon, as he explicitly states that giving Vantage to Jameson would “drive Simon mad.” This moment shows their relationship evolving from manipulation to something more complex, with elements of trust and legacy. Jameson’s internal conflict about whether to accept this gift or win Vantage for himself demonstrates his struggle with familial validation versus independence.3. How does the chapter develop the theme of sibling rivalry through both Jameson’s and Ian’s perspectives?
Answer:
The chapter explores sibling rivalry through parallel experiences. Ian describes his position as the “third-born son” of an earl, overshadowed by his “perfect” and “brilliant” brothers—a dynamic Jameson recognizes as similar to being the “third-born grandson of an American billionaire.” This shared understanding creates temporary solidarity between them. Meanwhile, Ian’s current conflict with Simon over Vantage mirrors competitive Hawthorne family dynamics. The whist game Jameson lost to Simon becomes another layer in this theme, showing how rivalry manifests across generations. The chapter suggests these competitive relationships shape identity, with both men defining themselves in opposition to their siblings.4. What strategic insights does the chapter provide about the workings of the Devil’s Mercy club, based on Jameson’s observations and Ian’s explanations?
Answer:
The chapter reveals the club’s strict hierarchy and disciplinary systems through two key examples: First, Rohan (the Factotum) enforces rules by confronting members about past transgressions and offering high-stakes games as redemption (e.g., the men who could fight in the ring if they won). Second, Ian explains that losing too much makes members “desperate,” leading to bans—a detail that underscores the club’s intolerance for weakness. These insights demonstrate how the club maintains control through a combination of ritual (like the Proprietor’s staircase appearance), psychological pressure, and calculated violence. Jameson’s need to “act quickly” to secure a Game invitation further shows the club’s exclusivity and time-sensitive power structures.5. Evaluate how Jameson’s internal monologue during his conversation with Ian reflects his conflicting loyalties and ambitions.
Answer:
Jameson’s thoughts reveal a tension between his Hawthorne instincts for independence and his desire for paternal recognition. When Ian promises Vantage, Jameson immediately considers bypassing Ian to claim it for himself—a classic Hawthorne competitive move. Yet he dismisses this option because “then it wouldn’t be a gift from his father,” showing his latent yearning for approval. His suspicion that Ian is manipulating him (“He wants me to feel we’re the same”) battles with his recognition of Ian’s genuine emotion (“he didn’t look like he was playing”). This internal conflict paints Jameson as a complex figure torn between self-reliance and the need for familial connection, a duality that drives his actions in the chapter.
Quotes
1. “Jameson thought briefly of his own brothers—of traditions and rivalries and history, of what it meant to grow up alongside someone, to be formed in contrast to them.”
This introspective moment reveals Jameson’s understanding of sibling dynamics, mirroring his own family experience with Ian’s complicated relationship with his brothers. It sets the thematic foundation for the chapter’s exploration of legacy and competition.
2. “‘Growing up the third-born son of an earl,’ Ian said after a moment, his voice thick, ‘was, I’d imagine, a bit like growing up the third-born grandson of an American billionaire.’ […] ‘One perfect brother, one brilliant one—and then there was me.’”
Ian’s vulnerable admission creates a powerful parallel between himself and Jameson, revealing the shared psychology of being the “third” in prominent families. This moment marks a turning point where Ian drops his facade to show genuine connection.
3. “‘Win it back,’ he told Jameson, ‘and someday, I’ll leave it to you.’ That promise hit with the force of a punch.”
This pivotal offer represents the chapter’s central conflict and motivation - Ian’s proposition that blends family legacy, competition, and emotional manipulation. The physical reaction (“force of a punch”) shows its profound impact on Jameson.
4. “‘I lost.’ Ian turned his palms toward Jameson in an insincere mea culpa. ‘People who lose too much get desperate. The Factotum does not trust desperate men.’”
This revelation about Ian’s past failures and temperament provides crucial backstory about the Devil’s Mercy club’s dynamics. The casual admission contrasts with its significant implications for Jameson’s current challenge.