Outlander Book Club: A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 40 breakdown

Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter

There is some foreshadowing within this chapter. The first is that the war is coming. Claire and Jamie still need to figure out the right time to switch sides. After all, they know that the Patriots will win, and they need to make sure they’re on that side when the time comes.

I think we also have some foreshadowing of Jocasta’s money problems without realizing it. Jamie is struggling financially for a few reasons, but he’s not going to be the only one. Jocasta and Duncan eventually have to sell the plantation. They flee north because of the war, but that’s not the only reason.

Then there’s foreshadowing of time travel. Jamie mentions the matchsticks and the gems. We know both are involved in the fire at the Big House. Donner is going to come back. It’s only a matter of time.

But at the same time, we have this foreshadowing that Roger and Brianna will eventually need to time travel. They’ll need to put themselves at risk of being separated as they go to their own time. It’s not a want but a need, and it’s all to do with baby Mandy, who isn’t even a thought just yet.

Adapting A Breath of Snow and Ashes chapter

The chapter hasn’t yet been used in Outlander. I do hope that some of it will be used in Season 6. I want to see Brianna do more with her skills, and seeing the development of the kiln will be excellent. We need to see her find her place in the 18th century as well as Roger find his.

I also hope that we see some of the conversations about leading up to war. We need to know what’s going on around the Frasers and MacKenzies.

There are some teases that some of this scene will be used. We know that Jamie becoming an Indian Agent will be used, which will likely mean a conversation about arming the tribes. Then there’s just the knowledge of what’s going on in the north, which we know will come up as we’ve seen it in the trailer for the season.

We don’t need all the details and events of the chapter. The show just needs to make sure the big moments that show us the development of war and trouble comes up.

What did you spot while reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 40? Let us know in the comments below.

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