In "Outlander," Diana Gabaldon explores themes of loss and escape, illustrating how individuals can become disconnected from their lives and loved ones. Young children may wander off, leading to worry and often tragic outcomes, while housewives, feeling overwhelmed, make impulsive decisions, abandoning their responsibilities for a chance at freedom. These moments highlight the desperation and longing for change that can drive people to seek new beginnings.

The narrative also delves into the world of international financiers who, overwhelmed by their circumstances, choose to change their identities and disappear. This sense of fleeing from troubles and the quest for a fresh start reflects deeper societal issues and the personal struggles of these characters, as they navigate the complexities of their lives while searching for something beyond their current reality.