The novel, Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon deals with the idea of people being outsiders. I found it fascinating that she chose to do this not just with one’s nationality, but also with through their family alliances (clans) and through the time period they are from.
In the beginning she defines the term “Sassenach”, which we hear used time and time again throughout the series, both endearingly and to insult. To the neutral party, it simply means “outlander”.
“It only means ‘Englishman.’ after all, or at worst, ‘outlander,’ and we’re all of that.”
With Frank answering Claire that “we’re all of that” meaning an Englishman and an Outlander, I couldn’t help but think of all the people that are Outlanders in one way or another. From the infinite groups people use to separate themselves—ethnic, religious, racial, sexuality, socioeconomic, gendered, geographic, collegiate, etc.—there is no way to ever truly belong. We see this through Jamie who shares blood with a clan and is from the Highlands, but due to his mother’s choices will never receive full acceptance. We see this through Claire who can never fully belong to her own time period or that of her new companions. She also can never fully belong to a city because she is perceived as different in both time periods. Gabaldon continues to introduce characters that are perceived as strange or that are from different places. These characters (the majority) never seem to find peace or acceptance, except by a select few, never by the society. She compares them to the individuals that have never left home base permanently, have never left their clan, and who always follow society’s preset standards (i.e. not being a witch/touching fairy children).
It makes one wonder that perhaps those that dare to dream, those that dare to wander, may always find loved ones, but may never find complete acceptance. I know in my case, currently living abroad, as much as I speak the language or try and fit into the culture that I will never fully belong. I will always be an Outsider. I will also always be an Outsider back home because I am no longer the same as all of the people in my small town. Even though I have found friends in both places that accept me, even though my family will forever take me back, there may always be that feeling that I lack belonging.
But what about the people that don’t try to fit in?
“What if a displaced person were too different, though, or went about loudly proclaiming what had happened to him? If the exit were in primitive times, likely a conspicuous stranger would simply have been killed on the spot without further inquire. And in more enlightened times, they would most likely be considered mad and tidied away into an institution somewhere, if they didn’t quiet down. This sort of thing could have been going on as long the earth itself.”
This thought that Gabaldon presents made me think about lobotomies, witch burnings, and mental institutions…as well as lynching, assault, [cyber]bullying, and laws. There are so many ways that people fear for themselves when someone is different. These things have been happening since the beginning of time. It is easier to feel safe if nothing around you is different, but unfortunately that is not possible (especially not in today’s globalized world). Certain species of animals do the same thing…they pick on the strange, new, sometimes weaker animal until that animal is bleeding or dead. Better that one animal than themselves. Humans do the same thing, treating each other horribly out of the preemptive yet unjustified need for self-defense. Its a truly terrifying reality and causes, at best, the exclusion of wonderful people that have a lot to offer in friendship, skills, and knowledge.
Thankfully in literature, it makes them an interesting character worth falling in love with and following around on adventures.
Cheers to these characters, both fictional and nonfictional.
Life Should Be Lit 