Outlander Book Club: Book 2, Chapter 13 breakdown

Foreshadowing within the Outlander chapter

There is a little bit of foreshadowing within this chapter. The main one is when Claire looks over to Fergus. She pictures his hand being chopped off. Back then, that would have happened for stealing.

Of course, we know that Fergus does eventually lose a hand. It’s something that even comes up when Jamie employs Fergus to steal the letters. Fergus wants to know that if he loses a hand while on the job, Jamie will protect him afterward.

We know what happens to Fergus during Voyager. He loses a hand for very different reasons. It’s almost like Dragonfly in Amber Chapter 13 is getting us ready for that.

Louise decides to keep the baby after all. I can’t remember when or if it even does happen now, but something in my mind tells me that Louise’s baby dies young. If that is the case, this could be foreshadowing that as much as Louise wants the baby, it isn’t meant to be.

This is a turning point for Louise and Claire’s relationship though. A friendship has formed, as Louise trusts Claire with something extremely dangerous and illegal. Claire doesn’t balk at the request but manages to help Louise make a different decision, knowing there would be regret if Louise went through with it. It sets up an important relationship for later in the story.

Adapting the Dragonfly in Amber chapter for the Outlander series

Of course, some of this chapter was definitely adapted for the series, but not quite in the same way. The biggest part was stealing the letters and trying to work out the code. This is reduced to a shorter part of the episode, connecting back to the hospital storyline.

Claire and Jamie are arguing at this point because of Claire’s decision to work at the hospital. It soon turns out that Claire’s choice is perfect for stopping the Jacobites. The Frasers need someone who can read music and Mother Hildegarde is the person for that. It’s all to come in the books still, but that’s how this chapter is worked for the sake of timing in the show.

We do get a little about Louise’s pregnancy on the show, although I don’t remember Claire putting together the drink for the abortion. It’s brought up, but instead, Louise decides that she will make her husband believe the child is his. At this point, Claire doesn’t know Charles and Louise are having an affair, though.

What did you notice in your reading of Outlander Book 2, Chapter 13? Share in the comments below.

Like Claire and Jamie on Facebook for the latest from the Outlander Book Club and more.