Everyone is cautious of an attack in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 50
We have a threat of attack throughout Outlander Book 7, Chapter 50. We wouldn’t even need to know what was to happen at that fort to even know that.
Everyone seems to know that an attack is going to happen. Yet, nobody seems to want to do anything about it. If I’m honest, I don’t really get much out of this chapter. I don’t really need to be told how close the British are to the American fort.
I guess this is because of all the previous chapters we’ve had. We know what Burgoyne is planning because of William, and we know the British officer believes the Indians are on his side. We also know for Bree and Roger that the fort is lost.
There is certainly some foreshadowing in how things will go with mentions of previous battles. At the same time, it’s not all that much in the way of foreshadowing when we already know how this is all going to play out.
Will it be used in the TV series? I think so, but I think it’s going to be told in a slightly different way to the book. I’ll get to my thoughts on that in the adaptation section.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 50.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with thoughts about Mrs. Raven. Claire realizes that the woman is going mad, and she wants to know what to do about it. Jamie thinks Claire should stay out of it. Raven’s husband likely already knows, and if he does, it’s going to be no good wit Claire telling him.
The focus really is on the impending attack. The British are close, and Claire and Jamie are both concerned about this. I can’t quite remember if they know how this is all going to play out, but it’s clear that they want to get away from the fort. They would have left already if it wasn’t for Ian being gone—we find out later that Ian is very close to the British camp. What we do get to see is Jamie marking on the door where they’re staying. He’s marking how long they’ve been there, something he did at Ardsmuir.
Jamie wants St. Clair to do something. However, St. Clair is waiting on artillery. I get the feeling that it’s artillery that isn’t going to make it, and Jamie needs St. Clair to be a little more proactive. However, when he returns to Claire, he tells her that the meeting went exactly as he thought it would.
There is a quiet moment between the two. It doesn’t quite lead to things that it usually does. Jamie doesn’t seem all that up for it right now. He’s tired and weary. It’s clear that he wants some rest, but he does also want his wife.
Overall, the chapter ends without much happening. We just know that the British are coming.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
There are a lot of mentions of the past throughout the chapter. We’re reminded of Ardmsuir and Culloden. Then we’re reminded of Jamie when he first met Claire. All of this seems to foreshadow that things aren’t going to work out for the Americans in this battle to come. Why else would we be reminded of Culloden?
It isn’t really foreshadowing, though, is it? We know how this is going to play out. Bree and Roger are worried about this in the future. We know Claire and Jamie are going to get out of it since they have other letters to send, but how?
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I think some of this chapter is going to find its way into Outlander Season 7. I think everything about the fort, including the British side, will take up one episode. It’s not going to get dragged on and we’ll only be told of information once because there just isn’t enough time in the show to do it the way Diana Gabaldon has written it. And honestly, the way it’s been written wouldn’t work for TV.
However, I think we need to see this battle play out. We need to see some of the more important moments from history, especially when they involve our main characters.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 50? Let us know in the comments below.
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