At first glance, the title “Chains” may seem vague or unfitting for this book by Laurie Halse Anderson. However, when closely examining this book, one can see many “chains” the main character Isabel experiences as a person with a strong moral compass, and identity as an enslaved person, and a sister. Be it mental or physical chains, Isabel is chained to many parts of her identity and surroundings.
Isabel is chained to Curzon. In the final pages of the book, Isabel attempts to escape from her life of enslavement and also frees Curzon from prison. Although Curzon had wronged Isabel in their pasts, Isabel’s moral compass seems to be chaining Isabel to Curzon; on page 294, Isabel’s inner monologue tells her: “He’ll be dead soon. Leave him and run.” Nevertheless, she still ends up transporting him away in a wheelbarrow. Her moral compass acts as a psychological “chain” to Curzon, not letting her let him die in prison. This is heightened by the other physical and mental “chains” they had experienced and were escaping from.
Further, Isabel is chained to her fate as an enslaved person.For example, on page 281, nearing the end of the book, Isabel is found by Madame Lockton to have been passing secret messages to the Patriots. Once she found out, Madam Lockton lashed out at Isabel, furious that Isabel had tarnished her image and reputation as a “good Loyalist housewife”. Madam Lockton then attacked Isabel with a riding crop, seemingly holding her to the same level as a horse. In this way, Isabel seems to be chained to her fate as a slave. In the same argument, Madam Lockton screams that she will sell Isabel and her sister to the “most cruel, heartless master I can find, the Devil himself if he wants” in a fit of hysteria. This shows the power Madam Lockton holds over Isabel, vowing to never let her live her life, keeping her “chained” to a life of slavery; this builds tension.
Also, Isabel seems to be chained to her young sister, Ruth. Ruth’s “simple-mindedness, slight deafness, and quickness to anger,” forces Isabel to care for Ruth extensively, as if she were Ruth’s mother. In this way, Isabel feels responsibility for Ruth and an intense familial bond with her. Isabel was at times given the chance to escape while enslaved under Madam Lockton, but because of her devotion to her sister, she never did. Isabel at times feels as if leaving her own sister is a sin, and betrayal of her parents, who asked her to care for her. On page 33, Isabel demonstrates her loyalty to Ruth by taking the blame for one of Ruth’s actions, and faces the ramifications.
Most people would think that Chains would be a slightly controversial book because of its author and subject: the author is white, and the book surrounds the life of a slave. However, I’ve found that Anderson accurately represents human nature in her writing, showing the metaphorical chains real people deal with in their own lives. Isabel’s chains are apparent: she is chained to her identity and the people around her.