Chains

At the end of Chains, Isabel discovers that Ruth was not sold but sent to Charleston. Madam Lockton reveals this during a confrontation, threatening Ruth's life to upset Isabel. Isabel resolves to...

Ruth, Isabel's younger sister, is a central figure in Isabel's life, evoking deep feelings of love and protectiveness in Isabel. Isabel is devoted to Ruth's well-being, often putting Ruth's needs...

Ruth is the five-year-old sister of Isabel in Laurie Halse Anderson's Chains. She suffers from epilepsy, which causes seizures mistaken for possession or mental illness in the 18th century. Both...

Biblical allusions used in Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson include references to being enslaved, which the New Testament refers to as the plight of sinners. The fact that Isabel's young, innocent...

Isabel's relationship with her sister Ruth in "Chains" is central to her journey. Isabel's search for Ruth drives much of her actions and decisions throughout the story, showcasing her determination...

Ruth and Isabel could not take their personal belongings from Ms. Finch's because the dehumanizing nature of slavery denied them any personal identity or humanity. Allowing them to keep items of...

Ruth's seizure episode highlights the contrasting characters of Madam Lockton and Lady Seymour. Madam Lockton reacts with cruelty and superstition, violently abusing Ruth, whom she believes is...