Should Claire have researched more before going back to the past in Outlander?

Should Claire have researched more before going back to the past in Outlander?

As a seasoned gamer who has navigated countless virtual worlds, I find myself deeply immersed in the intricate tapestry of Outlander’s historical narrative. The character of Claire, a time-traveling medical professional, presents an interesting conundrum that resonates with my own gaming experiences.


Initially, when Claire stepped into the past through Outlander, it took her by surprise. However, on her subsequent visit, she had the opportunity to prepare in advance.

In 1968, Claire foresaw her return journey through the stones to reunite with Jamie. She had a general idea of the era she was returning to, anticipating it would be around 1766. Consequently, it would have been wise for her to conduct extensive research about that time, including upcoming conflicts, appropriate medicinal herbs, and various Native American tribes to prepare herself better for her journey.

As a gamer, I couldn’t help but notice that Claire didn’t manage to uncover more secrets. Was it because of a plot oversight, or was the sheer amount of research required beyond her capabilities?

Claire didn’t expect to go to the Colonies in Outlander

Initially, one particular aspect of history she had no intention of investigating was the Colonies. It was evident that she didn’t anticipate a voyage there due to Jamie’s severe seasickness. She believed he would never willingly embark on a ship for such a journey. However, their mission to rescue Young Ian from Jamaica necessitated this unexpected journey, and they had no intention of remaining in the Colonies post-rescue!

Well, as a gamer, I can totally relate! If I were in Claire’s shoes, I wouldn’t dive deep into the Revolutionary War or Southern history either. You see, the South has a complicated past with slavery, and from what I’ve gathered about Claire, she’s clearly against it. Given her stance, if she had control over the decision, she’d probably opt for the North instead. And since her primary focus is on the show or books, she’d likely confine her U.S. research to that region. Honestly, I can understand why she wouldn’t feel compelled to delve into the South, considering her values and preferences.

Should Claire have researched more before going back to the past in Outlander?

There wasn’t time to research everything in Outlander

In addition, we need to take into account the specific era she was in. She wasn’t able to quickly search everything online like we do now with Google. Instead, she had to physically visit libraries to find sources for her research, which was a lengthy process and something she didn’t have the luxury of time for back then.

Instead of exploring the Colonies, one reason was her limited time. She focused on Britain, France, and certain European regions as potential areas, aware of their possibilities. Regrettably, even these investigations consumed all her available time.

She, too, is mortal. Is it reasonable to expect her to recall everything perfectly? Let’s keep our expectations about memory more grounded, shall we?

The portrayal of Claire’s lack of extensive research in both the Outlander books and series wasn’t a mistake; instead, it was a realistic representation given the limited timeframe and the narrative structure of the story.

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2024-09-03 13:37