Outlander: Playing Devil’s advocate on the ring removal debate

Many fans say that Claire should remove Frank’s ring in Outlander. With the logic, she should have removed Jamie’s ring eventually.

There are many debates among Sassenachs around the world. One of those is about why Claire still wears Frank’s ring in Outlander. I’m playing Devil’s advocate today to twist the question on the head.

If she should remove Frank’s ring now that he’s dead and gone, she technically should have removed Jamie’s ring while in her own time. For 20 years, she believed Jamie was dead and buried. Eventually, she should have removed the ring and moved on.

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Of course, many will be screaming “no” right now. Why would she remove the ring of a man she loved? Well, the same applies to Frank. Claire may not love Frank in the way she does Jamie, but she still loves him. She respected him for his devotion to Brianna, even if their last moments were constantly fighting. Frank’s ring after his death means everything to her that Jamie’s ring meant to her after she went back through the stones before Culloden.

It’s easy to focus on being fair to Jamie. It’s easy to focus on the facts. Frank is dead and Claire doesn’t intend on going back through the stones anymore. She plans to remain in the past with Jamie, her soulmate. Why would she keep the ring of a man that’s dead and gone—and technically not even born?

But all these facts can be applied when Claire was with Frank. She didn’t think she was going back through the stones. In her head, Jamie was dead and there was nothing in the past for her. She needed to remain in the 20th century with Frank, allowing him to be a father to Brianna. Frank wasn’t her soulmate, but he did love her. After three years apart, he rushed to the hospital when she returned and was there for her when she needed someone.

Outlander — Courtesy of STARZ — Acquired via STARZ Media Center

But there is no way that Claire would have taken Jamie’s ring off, and Frank never seemed to expect her to. He wanted her to remove everything but accepted that the ring would stay. Jamie has the same understanding. Frank and Jamie are both important parts of Claire’s life and wearing the two rings on opposite hands reminds her and everyone of that.

Fans may say that they would have taken the ring off. Some have even said that they have removed their rings since becoming a window. However, it’s a personal choice. We can’t put our expectations on someone else, even a fictional character. Understanding why Claire keeps both her rings on is the beauty of empathy.

What questions do you still have about Outlander? Do you think Claire should remove one of her rings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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