Outlander Book Club: Book 2, Chapter 43 breakdown
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
There isn’t too much in the way of foreshadowing in the chapter, but it does set things up for future chapters in Dragonfly in Amber. It’s because of the events in this chapter that Murtagh is able to get his vengeance. That entire rape storyline from Paris is finally going to be explained, although I will admit at this point in the story, I’d forgotten all about it!
There is a mention of the broadsheet that never specifies Claire is English. This can help her, but there’s a hint that something is going to scupper some plans.
The only real foreshadowing is that the Scots don’t stand a chance. The Jacobite cause is lost, with the British starting to turn things around. The Battle of Falkirk Muir was a Jacobite victory, but it was such a small thing that it didn’t have much of an effect on the rest of the cause. The Jacobites were too spread out and too confused, and I do think this part in the church focuses on a little of that.
Adapting the Dragonfly in Amber chapter for the show
This chapter was sort of used for the TV series, but not as a battle. Claire and Jamie were riding with the MacKenzie men to the next stage after Prestonpans. They were shot upon by some British soldiers, so had to seek refuge and sanctuary in a church.
During the Outlander Season 2 episode, Rupert is shot but he isn’t killed. He loses an eye instead. I do think this was to limit the heartache after already losing Angus at Prestonpans.
The Battle of Prestonpans needed a big death—one that would matter to us. The original plan was for it to be Willie but the actor wasn’t available. So, it had to be written in as Angus, and I do think that death hurt more than Willie’s death would have purely because Rupert changed so much without his best friend.
The idea of losing Rupert as well just an episode later would have been way too much. Plus, he was needed for a big goodbye in the Outlander Season 3 premiere.
Much of the rest of the episode was the same. Claire was used as a way to get Jamie and the MacKenzie men out of dodge.
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What did you spot while reading Outlander Book 2, Chapter 43? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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