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Isabel's Character Development and Influences in Chains

Summary:

In Chains, Isabel faces numerous challenges that shape her character, including slavery, separation from her sister Ruth, and betrayal by those she trusts. Isabel's journey is marked by her quest for freedom, which she pursues by spying for the Patriots and eventually taking bold actions to escape with Curzon. Her character is defined by her compassion, determination, and bravery, influenced by her mother's example of resilience. Isabel's fears drive her to courageous acts, reinforcing her commitment to protect Ruth and reclaim her dignity.

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In Chains, what challenges does Isabel face and how do they change her?

Isabel encounters numerous challenges in her life, especially after the demise of the kindhearted Miss Finch. However, her most notable challenge is her quest for freedom. Their troubles start immediately she and her sister are sold off to the Lockton’s after failing to prove that Miss Finch had freed her family in a will. Ruth is forced to take on backbreaking labor at the Lockton’s estate, which she perseveres through while remaining determined to find a way out to freedom. She detests the inhumane conditions under which she and her sibling live, and she would go to any extent to gain freedom.

After her encounter with Curzon, she becomes a spy and exchanges information with different groups with the hope of gaining freedom in return. Her hopes do not materialize as the groups only use her to gain crucial information to advance their agenda. Finally, Isabel realizes that nobody but...

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herself will help her secure freedom, which she does at the end of the book when she manages to sneak Curzon from prison and row the boat across the river to Jersey.

Among other challenging encounters for Isabel is the loss of Ruth. She wakes up one day and discovers that Madam Lockton has sold Ruth off to another owner. Isabel becomes momentarily defiant, an act that forces her to run away from Lockton’s estate only to end up beaten and in jail. The judge rules that she be branded upon Madam Lockton’s suggestion. The branding is a painful experience for Isabel; it is a permanent mark and reminder of her slave status. Isabel sinks into depression soon after due to the loss of Ruth and her dwindling hope of ever being free. However, her attitude towards her branding changes, and instead of shame, she takes it as a proud survival symbol, just like the one her father had.

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In some ways, Isabel does not change all that much from the beginning of the story to the end. She remains fiercely protective of Ruth through the entire story, and she is committed to do what it takes to save her. What changes is her dedication to people other than Ruth. Curzon is a good example. When the story begins, Curzon tries to convince Isabel that she should spy on the Locktons for the Patriot cause. Isabel is averse to doing this because she just wants to keep a low profile and protect Ruth. Once it becomes clear to Isabel that she can't keep Ruth safe without taking active steps against the Locktons, then she begins spying for the Patriots.

Her loyalty grows beyond just Ruth, and Isabel is willing to risk her own safety at the end of the story to rescue Curzon from the prison. The other major change that happens to Isabel is what she is willing to do in order to obtain her freedom. For much of the story, Isabel believes that she can go through legal channels to obtain her freedom. That failed at the story's beginning, and it continues to fail even though she tries to trade information for her freedom several times. Isabel will eventually take matters into her own hands and forge her freedom papers because she has learned that the end justifies the means.

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What are Isabel's strongest traits in the book Chains and how do they help her overcome obstacles?

In my opinion, Isabel's strongest traits are compassion, determination and bravery.  All three of these traits help her to overcome obstacles.

First, Isabel is compassionate.  The best example of this is that Isabel takes great risks to deliver food and supplies to Bridewell prison in order to aid the rebel prisoners who reside there after the Battle at Fort Washington.  Isabel is also compassionate when she saves Lady Seymour (and her coveted picture of Mr. Seymour) from the house fire. Instead of becoming bitter in being a slave, Isabel overcomes this obstacle by serving others through her compassion.

Next, Isabel is determined (from the very beginning of the book) to keep herself and her sister, Ruth, together.  When the two are separated (when Ruth is sent away to Charleston), Ruth continues her determination to find Ruth.  The reader can see Isabel's determination even into the last moments of the novel when Isabel (who is finally free) and Curzon leave for Charleston in order to find Isabel's sister.  Another more limited example of determination can be seen when Isabel throws the rebel note into the fire to escape detection from Mrs. Lockton.  Therefore, Isabel's determination helps her overcome the obstacles of slavery, separation, and even British oppression through the examples above.

 Finally, it is interesting to note that Isabel's compassion and determination nicely highlight her bravery.  Isabel, of course, is a slave.  Therefore, showing compassion for other slaves (as well as rebel soldiers) and disobeying direct orders from her mistress (because of her determination to find her sister and desire to aid the rebels) are very brave of Isabel.  These examples of bravery all help Isabel overcome the biggest obstacle in her life:  slavery.

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In Chains, how is Isabel's mother a role model for bravery?

During chapter 6, Curzon offers Isabel a way to work toward and obtain her freedom. Isabel is obviously tempted by such a possibility, but she turns down the offer. Isabel claims that she promised her momma that she would take care of Ruth no matter what. This means that she has to stay close to Ruth, and that means continuing to work for and take punishments from the Locktons. At this point Isabel has already taken a beating in order to protect Ruth from it. Isabel knows that her mother would have done the same thing for the two of them, and she acts bravely because of this knowledge. In fact, Isabel even asks herself, "What would Momma do?" in this chapter, and that shows Isabel's commitment to do brave things for Ruth's safety because it is what her mother would do.

I'd also like to point out that Isabel has a somewhat spiritual relationship with her mother. Early in the novel, readers see Isabel talking to her mother's grave in a way that suggests Momma's ghost is present and capable of helping Isabel. Isabel pleads for her mother's help at this time. Isabel doesn't get the sign or help that she hoped for, but that doesn't change the fact that Isabel truly believes that her mother's spirit is absolutely capable of giving her aid through tough times. This is why Isabel will at times whisper a silent prayer to her mother before doing dangerous and risky acts, like sneaking out of the Lockton house to get to Bellingham's house.

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Isabel's mother is critical in establishing the foundation of bravery that defines her daughter's character.  Isabel's mother does not establish a fully active role in the narrative.  However, she exists in Isabel's mind and through this image, Isabel understands the demanding nature of bravery. One example is how Isabel transcends the evil of the world around her.  The institution of slavery that binds Isabel quickly extinguishes bravery.  However, Isabel's mother plays a vital role in helping her daughter fight such a brutal institution.  One of the lessons transmitted from mother to daughter is how to be brave in the face of unspeakable evil: "Everybody carried a little evil in them, Momma once told me. Madam Lockton had more than her share. The poison had eaten holes through her soul and made room for vermin to nest inside her."  Isabel's bravery is demonstrated in how she does not allow the evil of slavery to be replicated within her.  

Another distinct example of how Isabel's mother is one of her role models for bravery lies in Isabel's commitment to her sister.  Isabel remembers that her mother was devoted to the needs of her children.  Despite the horrors of slavery, Isabel's mother possessed the universal value that protected her children above all: "She wouldn't let anyone hurt her children."  This idea makes Isabel's mother a role model for Isabel's bravery when she protects her sister.  When Isabel shows bravery by taking the abuse intended for Ruth, it reveals bravery:"No one had ever slapped my face like that, not once in my whole life. Better me than Ruth, better me than Ruth."  Isabel's devotion towards and protection of Ruth is bravery personified.  It was inspired by Isabel's mother and how she displayed bravery by protecting her children.  In this instance, Isabel's mother becomes a role model for Isabel's bravery.

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How do Isabel's fears fuel her bravery and courage in Chains?

It has long been established that fear gives people the courage to do things they ordinarily wouldn't do and Isabel in Chains is no different in that regard. For her, fear acts as a spur to do the right thing, whether it's defending her epileptic sister Ruth or rescuing Lady Seymour from a raging fire.

In a way, Isabel's numerous acts of bravery are a way for her to deal with the almost permanent fear that she must feel as a slave, constantly subject to the whims of others. In her situation, many would just keep their heads down and do what they could to make the best of a very bad job. But not Isabel. She understands that it's better to die on your feet than live on your knees. So she takes risks—extraordinary risks—that put her in harm's way, but which at the same time also allow her to recover some of the dignity and self-worth that has long been denied to her as a slave.

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In chapter 2, readers see that Isabel is scared by her slavery. We also know early on that Isabel is quite motivated to make sure that she is around for Ruth. Ruth is mentally handicapped in some way, and Isabel feels that it is her job to take care of her. In chapter 2, we get to see a little bit of how Isabel's fear help motivate her to do some very brave things.

My belly flipped with worry. I was breathing hard as if I'd run all the way to the village and back. This was the moment we'd been waiting for, the one that Momma promised would come. It was up to me to take care of things, to find a place for us. I had to be bold.

We can see that Isabel admits to her fear and worry, but she also knows that she has to "be bold" in order to improve their situation.

Another vivid example that comes to mind is when Isabel throws herself in front of Madam Lockton in order to take the beating for Ruth. Isabel is afraid of what the beating might do to Ruth, so Isabel bravely takes the punishment for her. However, it is when Madam Lockton moves Ruth to another property that readers get to see Isabel's fear and concern about Ruth's safety turn into straight fearlessness.

"Did you sell Ruth?"

"You will not address me in that insolent manner." Her voice shook a little. . . .

I took another step up. "Answer me, you miserable cow. Did you sell my sister?"

It is actually incredible that Isabel is brave enough to say that to Madam Lockton. She has made Isabel's life miserable, and she has the legal capacity to make Isabel's life much worse. From here on out, Isabel's desire to rescue Ruth far outweighs fears she has. She forcefully wills herself to overcome her fears in order to rescue herself and Ruth.

When I thought what they might do to me, I went to the necessary and had me a good puking. But the next day, I made my way up there again—food for the prisoners, water for the Locktons, and every once in awhile, a message to the gap-toothed man in the brown coat at the Golden Hill Tavern.

The fear of being caught as an escaping slave is still there. However, she is brave enough to take the risk and fake her papers that say that she is a free slave in order to rescue Curzon.

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What are the most fearful moments for Isabel in Chains?

This answer is going to depend on the reader. Readers will all see Isabel in fear throughout the story, but picking the one or two most fearful moments will change slightly from reader to reader; therefore, I am going to list many instances when I feel that Isabel was experiencing more than her standard amount of fear and worry.

  • Isabel realizes that she and Ruth are not being set free—instead, they are being resold into slavery to the Locktons.
  • Isabel realizes that Madam Lockton knows that she can further control Isabel by taking advantage of Ruth. One sick way that Madam Lockton does this is by turning Ruth into her own personal living human doll child.
  • Isabel watches Madam Lockton threaten to hit Ruth. This is what causes Isabel to throw herself down and take the beating instead of Ruth.
  • Isabel gets branded . . . on the face.
  • Isabel is told that Madam Lockton sold Ruth.
  • Isabel rescues Lady Seymour from the fire. This had to be a scary and harrowing experience.
  • Isabel fakes her papers to become free.
  • Isabel rescues Curzon from the prison.
  • Isabel rows across the river knowing that she and Curzon could be captured at any moment.
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How does Isabel's character evolve in the novel Chains?

In Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Chains, Isabel changes from a naive, diffident young girl, into a stronger, more confident young woman, who's in charge of her own life and her freedom.

Anderson first presents Isabel as a struggling orphan who, together with her younger sister Ruth, faces a plethora of challenges. She's a slave, who has been promised freedom after the death of her owner, Miss Finch, however this doesn't happen, as after Miss Finch passes, her nephew decides to sell both Isabel and her sister to Anne and Elihu Lockton, who mistreat and abuse their slaves.

It is Isabel's resilience, intelligence and her attempts to protect her mentally disabled sister as much as she can that show her true strength and maturity.

The first notable change Isabel goes through is her acceptance that her life is far from ideal. This prompts her to become braver and more determined to take risks, which is how she becomes a spy for the Rebels and agrees to get them information about the Locktons' political affiliations in exchange for her freedom. When she sees that she's been used and manipulated yet again, she realizes that she must be careful about whom she trusts. She grows more wary and understands that, until she's certain that she can trust someone, she can only truly rely on herself.

When Madam Lockton sends Ruth away, Isabel is furious and acts out. She receives a branding on her cheek as punishment for her "unsavory" behavior, which serves as a reminder that she's a slave—nothing but someone's property. At first, Isabel is angry at herself, feeling helpless and hopeless. But eventually, she realizes that everything she went through has only made her stronger.

Thus, she decides to take measures into her own hands. She steals a boat and breaks her friend Curzon from jail; together, they escape to Jersey. It's notable to mention that Curzon is the one who teaches Isabel about the true meaning of trust, friendship, and how to properly open up to people.

This way, Isabel finally finishes her quest for freedom, simultaneously completing her transformation from an innocent, impressible slave girl to a free, proud, and independent woman.

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