Outlander Book Club: A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 47 breakdown

Claire witnesses Malva being beaten in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 47

Sometimes we get the reminder that Claire is from a very different time to the one she lives in. That’s certainly the case in Outlander Book 6, Chapter 47.

Sure, we know that Claire is from the 20th century. She’s been raised in a time when women were no longer the property of their husbands, and she has brought her 20th-century opinions and knowledge to the 18th century on multiple occasions.

Yet, after all this time in the 18th century, she’s still often shocked by the things that she witnesses. That’s the case during this chapter when she sees Tom beating Malva. She talks to Jamie about it, and it’s clear that Jamie also can’t quite comprehend the idea of men not giving their wives a beating now and then. However, he wouldn’t do it the way Claire has been raised to believe is wrong.

This chapter doesn’t foreshadow too much, I don’t think. It’s more of that reminder that Claire and Jamie are from two very different times. Claire needs to keep her nose out of some business, reminding herself of the time period.

I’m not 100% sure if this chapter will be used in the TV series. I’ll get to my thoughts on that in the adaptation section.

Let’s dive into A Breath of Snow and Ashes Chapter 47.