Outlander Book Club: Drums of Autumn Chapter 11 breakdown

Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter

For the most part, this chapter of Drums of Autumn foreshadows the fact that Claire and Jamie can’t remain at River Run. Neither of them agree with the laws when it comes to bloodshed, and Claire just can’t have slaves. It’s not something that agrees with her.

Slavery isn’t something that Jamie agrees with either. He has been an indentured servant and knows what that’s like. He wouldn’t want anyone in bonds.

We know eventually that Claire and Jamie move away. Jocasta isn’t happy, but she understands why they leave.

Adapting the Drums of Autumn chapter

Of course, the chapter was used for Outlander Season 4, Episode 2. It was heavily adapted, with Claire refusing to let Rufus die. She went against everyone to save him, and it was only at the very end of the episode that she gave Rufus the poison so he would die quickly.

There is a lot of hate for the episode. It’s not my least favorite episode of Outlander, but it’s certainly not my favorite. I do prefer the pragmatic Claire from the books.

However, I do think this episode is written more for those who wouldn’t understand the time. There would have been plenty of people questioning why Claire allowed Rufus to die without an argument. There would have been plenty of people wondering why the fellow slaves wouldn’t have helped Claire protect Rufus.

We get a moment with Ulysses coming forward, explaining the situation. If Rufus doesn’t die for his actions, all the slaves on the plantation will be in trouble. Jocasta and the entire plantation will be in trouble.

Claire must allow the law to act as it is for the time. This is a part of history she simply can’t change.

So, while I don’t like the adaptation, I can understand why it was done.

What did you spot while reading Drums of Autumn Chapter X? Let us know in the comments below.

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