The character Geillis from "Drums of Autumn" embraces her identity as a witch by adopting her own name, signifying a personal transformation. She emphasizes that her birth identity is less significant than her aspirations and the journey of self-creation ahead of her. This marks a profound embrace of agency and self-determination in defining who she will become in life.

The quote reflects a theme of empowerment and the importance of self-definition, central to Geillis's character development in Diana Gabaldon's narrative. Her choice to claim the name Geillis symbolizes not only a connection to her past but also an active choice to shape her future, highlighting the transformative power of naming oneself in the context of personal and cultural identity.