We get a chance to see why Benedict Arnold would change sides in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 65
If you’ve ever wondered why Benedict Arnold would turn his coat, there are certainly plenty of history textbooks to read. Diana Gabaldon gives a look at a potential reason in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 65.
There is a lot going on during a battle. Arnold wants to take command, but General Morgan is the one with that power. That doesn’t stop Arnold from trying, but things get out of hand. While the troops end up getting the shot they want, there is a hint of a court-martial for the officer.
It’s clear that Arnold doesn’t feel respected. He wants to gain command, and he wants to be listened to. Because that doesn’t happen, he does seem to throw his toys out of his pram and becomes a traitor.
I do expect to see this chapter used in Outlander Season 7. I’ll get why that is in the adaptation section.
There isn’t much in the way of foreshadowing that I see in this chapter. It’s mostly about giving us a look at Arnold’s actions leading to his future decision.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 65.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter mostly takes place on a battlefield of sorts. It’s nothing as big as before, but there is a chance to shoot and kill General Simon Fraser.
Leading up to this, Arnold tries to get General Gates to follow his thoughts. Arnold hears that the British are coming to test the Americans’ strength, and Arnold wants to go out with a show of force. That’s not something Gates wants to do. Knowing how history plays out, maybe Gates had the better idea.
It leads to Morgan being in charge of the riflemen who are supposed to take down the offices. One of those is General Simon Fraser, who Jamie doesn’t want to kill. He still remembers Simon as a young boy, so he decides to aim off—hitting another officer’s hat.
While there is an argument between Arnold and Morgan, someone does manage to shoot Fraser. Jamie is upset to see one of his kin go down, but he is more concerned about William. He can’t see William anywhere, but is that a good thing? Jamie doesn’t know.
At the end, Arnold is thrown from his mare and injured. Jamie saves him. As much as he would prefer to kill Arnold and prevent the treachery from happening, he had agreed with Claire not to attempt to change any of history. They don’t know what that would do. So, instead, he helps Arnold back up and gets him back to his tent.
What we do see is the reasons why Arnold could end up turning. There is the threat of him being court-martialed at one point. He tries to take over Morgan’s command, and Morgan is not happy about that. Did Arnold have the better plan, or was he just a sore loser?
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
I don’t see foreshadowing in this chapter. This is more about plot development, with the story leading up to Benedict Arnold changing sides. We get this look at why it could have happened. I’m not sure if we’re supposed to have some empathy for Arnold in this chapter, though. I don’t have any.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I think we’ll see this chapter adapted for the series. We know Benedict Arnold is going to come into the story, and it would make more sense to have this as well as the previous chapter. We need to see Arnold switching sides as we’re so close to that happening.
This is also important as General Fraser is wounded. Jamie is worried and saddened by that. After all, Fraser was family. I know we’ve seen Jamie have to fight on the opposite side of family before—Murtagh in Outlander Season 5—but there was always the chance it was going to happen again. This mixed with William being over there is important for Jamie.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 65? Let us know in the comments below.
Like Claire and Jamie on Facebook for the latest from the Outlander Book Club and much more.