Themes: Growth and Coming of Age
Throughout Chains, plants can be seen as an analog to Isabel’s own growth and maturity.
When Isabel and Ruth are sold by the Locktons, Isabel realizes there’s only one souvenir small enough to covertly fit in her pocket: a handful of Momma’s seeds. When she arrives at the Lockton home, Isabel notes that the Locktons aren’t especially adept gardeners, and this foreshadows the inhospitable environment she and Ruth find there. After planting the seeds she smuggled, Isabel notes how well they grow, though she does not know what they will become.
In chapter 43, Isabel catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror and is similarly surprised by the way the woman looking back at her has matured. Her journey has brought her a mark of adulthood that mirrors the ceremonial marks her father received in Guinea as a young man:
In truth, it seemed I was looking at a stranger who lived beyond the glass. My face was thinner than I remembered and longer from brow to chin. My nose and mouth recollected Momma’s, but the set of the eyes, those came from Poppa. As I stared, their two faces came forth and drifted back, until I could see only me. I turned my head to the side a bit and studied the brand on my face; for the first time, studied it hard: the capital I that proclaimed my insolent manners and crimes . . . The scars on Poppa’s cheek had been three lines across his cheek, carved with a sharp blade. He was proud of his marks. In the country of his ancestors, they made him into a man. I traced the I with my fingertip. This is my country mark. I did not ask for it, but I would carry it as Poppa carried his. It made me his daughter.
In this same scene, Isabel forges herself a fraudulent pass in case she’s stopped while out after dark. When pressed to write her last name, she pauses—she’s not a Finch, nor is she a Lockton. Instead, she recalls the sense of growth and life on the farm she still considers home and chooses something new: Isabel Gardener, her “true name.”
Expert Q&A
How does Common Sense inspire courage in Isabel?
Isabel draws courage from Thomas Paine's Common Sense by understanding its core message of fundamental human equality and resistance against oppression. Despite some language barriers, she connects Paine's arguments against British control over the colonies to her own experience of slavery. This realization empowers her to contemplate escaping her own "chains," inspired by the notion that if a nation can fight for freedom, so can she.
How has Isabel's identity changed by the end of the book Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson?
By the end of Chains, Isabel transforms from a passive slave into a proactive, confident individual who takes control of her life. Initially enslaved by the Locktons, she dreams of freedom but fears taking risks. As the story progresses, Isabel gains courage, symbolized by the "I" branded on her cheek, which she redefines as a mark of her identity and strength. Ultimately, she escapes, rescuing Curzon and seizing her freedom, asserting control over her destiny.
What life lessons does the book Chains convey?
The book Chains conveys powerful life lessons about the human capacity to endure and persevere. Through Isabel's story of enslavement and her refusal to let slavery define her, the narrative emphasizes the importance of striving to establish one's voice despite oppressive circumstances. Isabel's journey teaches readers the value of resilience and the potential for triumph through suffering, inspiring modern readers to apply this resolve in their own lives.
Why is Curzon's friendship important to Isabel and how does it change her?
Curzon's friendship is crucial to Isabel as it develops into a deep bond where he consistently helps and supports her, even risking his own safety. Initially, Curzon's generosity, like providing food, reveals his caring nature. Over time, Isabel realizes the depth of his friendship, prompting her to risk her own safety to rescue Curzon from prison. This relationship transforms Isabel, highlighting her growth in understanding loyalty and gratitude.
How does Isabel's boldness and bravery develop throughout the novel?
Isabel's boldness and bravery evolve significantly as she transforms from a passive character into one who takes decisive action for her freedom. Initially, she hopes to secure freedom by complying with the Locktons, but as Madam Lockton's tyranny escalates, Isabel becomes more daring. The turning point occurs when Isabel learns Ruth is still alive, prompting her to steal papers declaring her freedom and escape, rescuing Curzon and rowing to New Jersey.
Isabel’s journey and challenges in Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Chains
In Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Chains, Isabel faces numerous challenges, including enslavement, separation from her sister, and the struggle for freedom. Her journey is marked by resilience as she navigates the complexities of loyalty during the American Revolution, ultimately seeking her own independence and justice.
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