Bree and Roger read another letter from Claire in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 43
We head back to the 1980s in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 43. However, the storyline is focused on events in the past.
I’ll admit that I don’t enjoy these chapters all that much. They further nothing for Bree and Roger for me. I could find out all about Claire and Jamie from their chapters, and then there can be just a quick mention of the letters the Frasers have sent to the future.
However, this is what we get. We do get Bree and Roger commenting on the time and what’s to come, but that’s about it.
I just don’t see this chapter being used in exactly the same way in Outlander Season 7. We’ll likely see the storyline play out in the present day, and I’ll get to why that is so important in the adaptation section.
There’s not all that much when it comes to foreshadowing that I see. It’s mostly focused on plot development, with comments on what is to come. There’s nothing that hints towards events or plays on things to come, except for what we know in real history.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 43.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter involves Bree and Roger reading a letter from Claire. Claire and Jamie are now at Fort Ticonderoga. They will be there for 23 days, and Roger works out that that is after General Burgoyne arrives. It’s Burgoyne who causes problems at the fort, and the MacKenzies just want the Frasers to get out.
Ian is away at this point, and later it comes out that he was bringing Claire some herbs. Now she’s running low on them, and she doesn’t like it. That’s not surprising considering the state of the fort. Claire has already described how bad the sanitary situation is.
Claire is also struggling with getting the fort’s doctor to listen to her. Dr. Thatcher does not believe in women doing the work of a man, and he will not allow Claire anywhere near the tools to do her job. That’s not surprising when you consider the time period. It’s that reminder that Claire is still in the past, even though Bree and Roger are back in the 20th century.
However, Claire has made a friend. She has Mrs. Raven, who Claire refers to as a “ghoul.” Mrs. Raven helps Claire treat her patients, and I think this is the only bit of a hint of how things could go. What will Mrs. Raven do?
We do find out the Hunters have arrived, and Claire can’t help but rave about Dr. John Hunter. Of course she would know who John is, and we get that hint that Claire and Denny are about to get along. Denny spoke highly of his uncle, and he’ll appreciate that someone else knows of John’s abilities.
What I really don’t understand is why Bree and Roger are so worried. Why do they get concerned about events that have already happened. It’s not like they can stop them! Plus, all they have to do is read more of the letters to find out what happened. The fact that they’ve ended up with the letters should say something.
The very end of the chapter takes us back to William. It turns out he’s found the British, and relatively easily compared to how hard it was for the Hunters to find the Contintenal Army. That’s not all too surprising when you consider there was no need for the British to hide. We meet Burgoyne, and there’s this sense that trouble is coming.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
The chapter doesn’t really foreshadow all that much. After all, we know what happens based on real history. It’s clear that this is what will play out.
I guess there’s a little bit from what is mentioned about Mrs. Raven. It took me a while to remember what happened to her, and I thought at first she was going to connect to something going on in the fort. However, I think it’s the “ghoul” part that foreshadows something. Mrs. Raven is suffering from a mental illness thanks to a physical ailment, and it’s all to come out.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I don’t expect to see the chapter adapted the way it is told in the book. This is just because of the way a TV show needs to tell a story. We need to see it happen and not just get told things. To be honest, that’s important for me in a book story, too, and it’s why I don’t really connect with the story through letters and being told of events that have happened.
I have a feeling we’ll get to see everything play out in person. We’ll see Claire interacting with Dr. Thatcher and we’ll meet Mrs. Raven and how she helps Claire. We’ll get to see the threat of things to come, and maybe have a mention of the letters from Bree and Roger in the 20th century. That’s if everything from An Echo in the Bone is going to be used.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 43? Let us know in the comments below.
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