William continues to doubt Burgoyne in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 55
We’re back with William in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 55. He gets to see what the Indians have done, and he trusts Burgoyne’s control over them even less.
This chapter is a little bit graphic, but not terribly so. What we see is based on what William sees, and it’s clear that he doesn’t have the stomach for everything involved. However, he looks at the scalp one of the Indians is holding and realizes that the hair belonged to a woman.
The chapter itself is mostly about Burgoyne’s lack of control over the Indians. He thinks he has control over them, but they’re not afraid to fight him if he fails to pay them. That’s what seems to be happening here. They want the money they were promised, and instead, a fight threatens to break out.
We do get some foreshadowing of how the tables turn for Burgoyne. I think we also get some foreshadowing of what William will do in the next book. I’ll get to that in the foreshadowing section.
I’m not all that sure if this will be used in the TV series. I’ll get to my thoughts on that in the adaptation section.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 55.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with William regretting breakfast with General Fraser. It’s not the breakfast itself but what comes after. He goes to see Burgoyne and his dinner threatens to come back up.
There is a fight threatening to break out. The Indians who were there to help take over the fort haven’t been paid yet. They want their money. However, it turns out that there has been some sort of misunderstanding.
William notices that the scalp one of the Indians is holding belonged to a woman. A man, David Jones, then comes out in tears. The scalp belonged to his fiancee, Jane. He’s distraught, and it’s clear that this is leading to some ill will to the Indians. And the Indians really just care about being paid. They’re confused why people are mad at them for doing what they were paid to do.
William already doesn’t really trust Burgoyne. He already thinks that as a playwright, Burgoyne doesn’t really know much about war. The man finds the Indians fascinating and thinks he can control them, but it is clear from this whole interaction that he can’t. The whole point of the chapter is for William to realize that Burgoyne is definitely wrong.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
This chapter certainly foreshadows Burgoyne’s downfall. It’s clear that he doesn’t have the control that he thinks. Misunderstandings happen, and these Indians are not all that interested in coming to some sort of agreement. They’ve made their agreement, and they want to be paid.
I think we also get some foreshadowing of William’s storyline. He is scared of the Indians at times. He’s had bad experiences with all except Ian—and Ian is a Highlander as well as Mohawk. This just furthers this mistrust he has of them.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I would like to see this chapter used in Outlander Season 7. I think we need to see the interactions that William has with Burgoyne and the Indians. At the same time, this chapter doesn’t add too much extra to what we’ve already seen. It’s not all that necessary, so if there isn’t enough time, the show could skip it.
This is one of those cases where I’m easygoing either way. It doesn’t bother me if the show keeps it or doesn’t. Whatever works for the overall telling of the story.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 55? Let us know in the comments below.
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