Written in My Own Heart's Blood

Eyes are a motif in the novel, symbolizing both a character’s ability to see truthfully or their false perceptions. Eyes are linked to appearances as well—the nature of a character’s eyes demonstrates their inner nature. Janet has eyes like Jamie’s and like her brother, she sees Claire’s nature clearly. Mrs. Figgs eyes are compared to gun sights, revealing her to be coldly accurate and somewhat dangerous. Claire’s eyes are, besides her hair, her most memorable feature, being light brown and flecked with gold. Her unique eyes symbolize her singular view in this world; she can see the past, present, and future.

John focuses intently on men’s eyes, though he spends a good part of the story unable to see clearly. His injured eye symbolizes a lack of clarity; Tears from his injured eye cloud his sight and his actions are cloaked in deception; he is accused of spying, he disguises himself and joins the enemy’s army, and he hides Germain’s identity along with his own. When John views men’s eyes through his damaged sight, he sees beauty but doesn’t see the danger; he describes Colonel Smith’s eyes as attractive though Smith intends upon executing him. When Claire repairs his eye, he finally sees the machinations surrounding him and escapes to warn his family.