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=__**PLOT**__= In Laurie Halse Anderson's book, Chains, a young slave named Isabel, and her sister Ruth, were living moderatly happy lives in their home in Rhode Island in the time of the American Revolution. But then their master, Miss Mary Finch, dies, and they become the property of her nephew, Mr. Robert, who promptly sets off to be rid of them and make a profit. So now Isabel and Ruth are the property of Mr. and Mrs. Lockton, who happen to be loyalists. Isabel is asked to spy on the Lockton's, and in exchanged would ear her's and Ruth's freedom. But it doens't go very well, and no arrest were made. Also, Mrs. Lockton figured out it was Isabel who had fed the information to the Patriots, so to punish her she sells Ruth. In a fit of rage, Isabel hits Mrs. Lockton and tries to run away, but is caught and sent to jail where she is put on trial. There, Mrs. Lockton decided her fate, which was for her to be branded with the letter "I" to stand for insolence. After Isabel's branding, life becomes dull and meloncholy. She refuses to speak to Curzon but looks for him everyday after hearing tht some rebel soldiers had been captured, and felt relief when she saw that he was not one of them. Isabel tries to join with the British in hopes of finding Ruth one day, but is turned away. She then lives with Lady Seymour for a little while, helping her with the Hessians, ut wakes up one day to find the city ablaze. Isabel is able to get Lady Seymour and herself to safety, but Lady Seymour was half paralyzed in the process. Time passes slowly for Isabel, until she finds out that Curzon, along with other rebel troops, were captured. She immediatly goes to his aid against Mrs. Lockton's wishes and secretly takes table scraps to the soldiers that are in jail as well as pass messges to Captain Morse, a rebel, from his men in jail. But then word gets back to Mrs. Lockton that Isabel had been talking with the "enemy" so she hits Isabel and threatens to sell her and Ruth. This comes as a shock to Isabel because she thought Ruth had already been sold, but Mrs. Lockton tells her that Ruth had just been at their house in Charleston. Mrs. Lockton then orders another sevant to lock Isabel in the potatoe bin. Isabel escapes and plans to leave New York and go find Ruth. But first she went to the proson and was able to break Curzon, who was sick with fever, out of jail. They both slowly made their way to the wharf where Isabel rowed them both over two miles of river into New Jersey and into their new found freedom. 10/10 =__CHARACTER LIST__= Isabel: Protagonist of the story/ slave in the revolution/ becomes spy for the patriots in her master's home/ tries to escape and gets branded when caught/ sister's name is Ruth whom she loves and promised to take care of/ becomes a spy for the Rebels/ Ruth: Isabel's younger sister/ somewhat slow in the head but Isabel just tells everyone that she is "simple-minded"/ is sold by Mrs. Lockton as Isabel's punishment for disobeying Curzon: And assistant to Mr. Bellingham/ always wears a red hat/ wants to fight in the war/ helps Isabel out to find her way/ offers her a job as a spy/ becoms a soldier and gets captured when New York is taken over by the British army/ is broken out by Isabel and they escape New York Mrs. Lockton: Married to Master Lockton/ is mean to Isabel and makes her do the hardest chores/ likes to throw parties/ loyalist/ stubborn and proud Master Lockton: Loyalist/ merchant/ plots with several other men agaisnt the Patriots/ usually gives Mrs. Lockton everything she wants/ bought Isabel and Ruth Becky: Servant of the Locktons but not a slave; gets paid/ is friendly but hard on Isabel/ has a small build/ middle-aged/ likes to talk Lady Seymour: Master Lockton's aunt/ is nice to Isabel/ tries to buy Isabel from Mrs. Lockton but fails/ wealthy lady Sarah: one of the soldier wives that lives at the Lockton's house/ boss of all the soldierwives/ pregnant then has her baby and names him George Captain Morse: captain for the rebel army/ person who gets messages from Isabel that his men in prison wrote Good connections 25/25 =__ANALYSIS/PREDICTION__= Ch1) The main character, Isabel, is introduced, and we learned that her and her sister's master, Miss Mary Finch, had died. Isabel had run ahead of the funeral procession to see if she could talk to her mother's ghost, but wasn't able to and was roughly pulled away by Miss Finch's nephew, Mr. Robert. I think that in the next chapter Isabel and Ruth will have to leave their home. Ch.2) Isabel finds out that her and Ruth are now the property of Mr. Robert, and where to leave with him. She protests that in Miss Finch's will, that they were free, but nobody believes her. Isabel has a flashback of when her family was sold and split up, and how her Poppa had not cried, but roared like a lion, and yet she could not do the same. I think in the next chapter Isabel and Ruth will be sold. Ch.3) Isabel, Ruth, and Mr. Robert leave Isabel and Ruth's home and make their way to Newport, where they stop at a restaurant so Mr. Robert can try and sell them. Thre Isabel meets a woman named Jenny, who claimed to know Isabel's mother. Then Mr. Robert makes a deal with Master and Mrs. Lockton, who then become Ruth and Isabel's new owners even though Jenny tried to buy the girls for their own safety. I think in the next chapter Ruth and Isabel will see their new home and discover where they will be living. Ch.4) Isabel and Ruth are aboard one of Master Lockton's merchant ships, the //Hartshorn//, on their way to their new home, and Isabel is seasick. In the next chapter i think she will overcome the seasickness and see her surroundings. Ch.5) The ship arrives in the New York harbor, where Isabel and Ruth see their new home, New York City. The cargo is unloaded and checked, as procedure by the Patriots, except Mrs. Lockton makes a big deal about them not searching her chest of delicates. Isabel meets a boy named Curzon who wears a floppy red hat. Ruth goes with the Locktons to the house while Isabel goes to fetch water, and Curzon goes with her to give her directions. I think in the next chapter Isabel will see some of New York City and learn a little more about the boy Curzon. Ch.6) Cuzon leads Isable to the water pump that the slaves use to fetch water. On there way to the Lockton's house, Cuzon asks Isabel if she wanted to be a spy for the Patriots and to listen in on the Locktons conversations since they were Loyalists and she was a slave who went unnoticed. Isabel declines saying that she had to protect Ruth. I think in the next chapter Isabell will meet the rest of the staff at the Lockton's house and see the inside of the building as well. Ch.7)﻿﻿﻿ Isabel meets Becky, the other worker in the house, except she is not a slave, she gets paid. Isabel gets a tour of the house by cleaning it from top to bottom, and discoveris a library. I think that Isabel and Ruth will finally settle into a normal routine in their new lives. Ch.8) Isabel and Ruth have their routine down, with Isabel doing the hardest work so Ruth will be spared. However, Isabel is becoming increasingly angry at their present situation, and starts to think more and more about Curzon's offer to spy on the Locktons for the Rebels. I think in the next chapter Isabel will meet someone important. Ch.9) Isabel meets Master Lockton's aunt, Lady Seymour, who gives her the name Sal Lockton. Then Isabel is sent away to serve Master Lockton and the other gentlmen in his library. In the next chapter I think that Isabel is going to spy on Master Lockton and his friends.  ﻿Ch.10) Isabel sneaks out in the middle of the night to go and tell Curzon what she saw at the Locktons and about the money they were hiding. In the next chapter i think that the Lockton's house will be searched. Ch.11) Captain Bellingham and his troops come to the Lockton's house and take their window panes for lead to make bullets, and then search the house fo the money Isabel said was there. Not finding it, they still arrest Master Lockton and when they do Mrs. Lockton faints. I think in the next chapter Mrs. Lockton will become more suspicous of Isabel.  Ch.12) Isabel is sent to Lady Seymour to tell her the news about Master Lockton's arrest. Lady Seymour then writes a note that will get Mr. Lockton out of jail and bids Isabel to deliver it. I think in the next chapter Isabel will have to run more errands. Ch.13) Master Lockton gets home and he and Mrs. Lockton fight because she wanted to go to Charleston where it was safer. In the weeks to follow Master Lockton had more and more company and Isabel kept spying on them and reporting back to Curzon. But she is getting frustrated because the army has not freed her and Ruth yet like they had promised in exchange for information. I think in the next chapter Isabel will keep spying on Master Lockton and his friends.  Ch.14) The mayor comes to visit the Lockton's and Isabel is sent to serve them and overhears a plot to kill Commander Washington. All the men there sign a piece of paper pledging their allegience. Isabel is sent for more food when she hears a scream. I think that in the next chapter Isabel finds out who is screaming and why. Ch.15) Isabel walked into the kitchen to see Ruth having a fit on the ground and mrs. Lockton screaming at her saying she was posessed by the Devil. Mrs. Lockton hits Ruth with a broom and Isabel immediately shields her and takes the blows herself. When Master Lockton walks in Mrs. Lockton says that she wanted Ruth to be sold, but Master Lockton says no. I think in the next chapter something bad might happen to Ruth.  Ch.16) Isabel knows that her and Ruth were not safe at the Locktons. She steals the letter with the Loyalist's names on it, including Master Lockton's, and takes it to the Patriot's camp to show it to Colonel Regan. Isabel has a hard time getting in to see the colonel but finally does and is able to convince them that she is telling the truth about the plan to kill Washington. They give her the password "ad astra" to get into the camp again if she gets more information. I think in the next chapter Mrs. Lockton will do something terrible to either Ruth or Isabel. Ch.17) Master Lockton discovers that the plot to kill Washington has been unveiled so he rushed home and burns all his papers and then escapes across the boader to New Jersey. Mr.s Lockton was not happy with the idea and now Master Lockton's aunt is going to live with her. When the soldiers come to arrest Master Lockton, the only thing they find are ashes and Mrs. Lockton. I think in the next chapter something significant will happen.  Ch.18) Becky, Isabel, and Ruth all go with the rest of New York City to see the hanging of Thomas Hickey, the man who almost killed Washington. I think in the next chapter they will meet Lady Seymour. Ch.19) Isabel, Ruth, Mrs. Lockton and Lady Seymour were in church when they found out that the British Navy was in the harbor. There was a riot because the Patriots were not happy about this, but they all settled down after firing a few cannons. However, Ruth has another fit and Mrs. Lockton becomes more suspicious. In the next chapter i think that Mrs. Lockton will do something about Ruth.  Ch.20) Isabel was at the market and saw the Patriots tearing down the staute og King George. When she got home, Mrs. Lockton was uncharacteristly nice to her, offering her a sweet drink and food saying that she had been to hard on Isabel. Isabel soon falls into a deep sleep. I think that something bad is going to happen while Isabel is asleep. Ch.21) Isabel awakes and cannot find Ruth, until Mrs. Lockton informs her that she sold Ruth. Isabel wanted to hit Mrs. Lockton, but got distracted when Becky opened the door, and so Mrs. Lockton threw a picture frame at her. Isabel ran, heading south to the rebel camp in search of help in exchange for all the spying she had done. Mrs. Lockton then comes to the army camp where Isabel is, and demands to have her slave back. Isabel tries to escape, but gets knocked out.  I think in the next chapter Isabel's fate will be decided.  Ch.22) Isabel was stuck in jail for 3 days and then faced her trial in court. Because Mrs. Lockton is her master, she decides what punishment Isabel will recieve for her "crimes". It is decided that Isabel is to be branded with the letter "I" on her cheek. In the next chapter i think that Isabel will get branded. Ch.23) Isabel gets brandedd infront of a whole crowd. I think that in the next chapter Isabel will finally be given some kindness from someone.  Ch.24) Isabel awakes to a strange house after being insensible for 6 days of fever. She discovers that Lady Seymour took her in after she almost died at the stocks. Isabel unfortunately still belongs to Mrs. Lockton, and goes back there with Lady Seymour. I think that in the next chapter Isabel's life will return to how it used to be, but without Ruth. Ch.25) Isabel continues her life in a meloncholy state for nearly a month, ignoring everyone around her and instead focusing on her chores. Mrs. Lockton completely ignored her. Curzon kept trying to visit her, but she ignored him until one day and then finally told him to leave her alone and that she wouldn't be talking to him again. In the next chapter I think that Isabel's life will continue much the same as it has been.  ﻿Ch.26) At the fresh water well, Isabel overhears Curzon saying that he was a soldier in the Rebel Army. She struggles on her way home and Curzon helps her but doesn't say a word. I think in the next chapter Isabel will see more of Curzon. Ch.27) Isabel finds out that the British beat the rebels badly in a battle. Everyday for 8 days she keeps an eye out for Cuzon to make sure he didnt get captured, and feels relief when she sees him. I think that in the next chapter something bad will happen to Curzon.  Ch.28) The British invade New York, and Mrs. Lockton orders Isabel to go buy a big list of things because she is certain that Master Lockton will be coming home soon. But Isabel doesn't plan on going to fetch these items, instead, when she leaves, she will go and join the British and then find Ruth. In the next chapter i think that something will go wrong when Isabel finds the British Ch.29) The British officer, Captain Cambell, does not except Isabel as help because she is a slave to loyalists. At the docks Master Lockton sees Isabel and tells her to go home to tell Mrs. Lockton that he'll be home soon. I think in the next chapter the Lockton's will have house guests.  Ch.30) Isabel is sent to help Lady Seymour with the Hessian troops she is housing because all her Dutch servants had left. The Hessians scare Isabel a bit, but she still does her job. One night she went to bed, and awoke to the entire city burning. I think in the next chapter Isabel will have a hard time escaping the fire. Ch.31) Isabel is able to drag herself and Lady Seymour our of Lady Seymour's burning house. They both collapse near the edge of a graveyard. When Isabel awakse she sees the extent of the fire's wrath, and also sees that Lady Seymour cannot mover her left arm or leg. Helping her walk, Isabel and Lady Seymour slowly make their way to the Lockton's house. I tink in the next chapter we learn the extent of Lady Seymour's injuries.  Ch.32) Much of New York is damaged, but the cause of the fire is debated. The left half of Lady Seymour's body is paralyzed and the doctors do not know what to do. Meanwhile, homeless soldiers and their fish wives have moved in with the Locktons and their house has become crowded. I think that in the next chapter Isabel finds out more about the guests in the Lockton's house. Ch.33) August passed slow for Isabel, evrything is shades of gray. British ships filled with goods cram into the harbor and the prices of food double and double again. As the weather gets colder Lady Seymour gets stronger and is able to walk some. One day as Isabel is going to fetch water, she sees some rebel soldiers get thrown into prison, including Curzon. I think in the next chapter Isabel will try and go visit Curzon.  Ch.34) Isabel didnt have time to considering Curzon's fate because Mrs. Lockton was throwing a huge paty. It was Isabels job to ferry to food up and down the stairs the entire meal, and meal in which one of Mrs. Lockton's fake eyebrows fall off. After the dinner, Isabel takes the bowl of table scraps in the holly bushes behind the privy. I think that in the next chapter Isabel will take the table scraps to the prison. Ch.35) It was 3 more days until Isabel could take the scraps to the prison, and gets in by saying she was there to see her brother. Curzon tells her all about the batlle and how they got captured, then the guard returned after "inspecting" the rest of the table scraps and gives it to Isabel with almost half of the food gone. After the food is passed out the seargent in the prison cell asks Isabel to carry messages to their captain outside of prison. I think in the next chapter Isabel will visit the prison again.  Ch.36) Lady Seymour gets sick and it is decided that Isabel shold tend to her until she recovers. She continues to visit the prison, bringing table scraps with her. Lady Seymour asks Isabel to run some erands for her, which includes getting items from a bookshope. While there, the book keeper gives Isabel a free book of her own despite her protests. I think in the next chapter we find out what the book is. Ch.37) Lady Seymour's health improves, and Mrs. Lockton's lists of foods increases as Christmas draws near. The fishwives fight more and Isabel volunteers to go fetch the water so she can visit the prison again. She finds that Curzon is sick and has been treated badly by his own cell mates and strikes a deal with them that she would send a message to their captain if they treated him better. That night, Isabel begins to rad her book, called Common Sense. I think in the next chapter Isabel will be busy with holiday preparations.  Ch.38) It is Christmas Eve and Isabel decides that the next day, her day of, she would walk the length of New York City. Mrs. Lockton forbids her to go to the prison again. Late at night when everyone else is asleep, Isabel makes bread pudding and goes and gives it to a porr family that lives in the burnt part of town, finally feeling at peace. I think in the next chapter Isabel will find a way to still go to the water pump and the prison. Ch.39) Isabel goes with Sarah, a soldier wife who is pregnant, to the market to get food. There she is approached by Captain Morse, the captain who she had been deliver messages to from the men in the prison. Then news reaches them that the rebels had fought and won a battle. I think that in the next chapter something big will happen at the prison.  Ch.40) Sarah has her baby and named him George and says that maybe they wouldnt move back to England. Lady Seymour becomes more sick and tells Isabel that she had tried to buy her from Mrs. Lockton but failed. Later that night, Isabel reads more of her book. I think in the next chapter a big event will happen. Ch.41) Mrs. Lockton is attending a ball in honor of the Queen's birthday. Lady Seymour suffered another fit and everyone thinks that she is going to die soon. I think that in the next chapter there will be more news about the ball.  Ch.42) Isabel came back from fetching the water later than usual, and comes back to find Mrs. Lockton waiting for her, and promptly slaps Isabel across the face. I think that in the next chapter something worse will happen to Isabel Ch.43) Mrs. Lockton hits Isabel again and tells her that someone told her that they say Isabel accept a note from the enemy and Isabel throws it in the fire. Mrs. Lockton threatens to sell her, along with Ruth. Isabel is shocked by the fact that Ruth hadnt been sold, but shipped to Charleston. Mr Lockton then orders a servant to lock Isabel up in the potatoe bin. Isabel escapes the bin and packs to escape new York and to freedom. She renames herself Isabel Gardner. I think in the next chapter Isabel tries to escape New York  Ch.44) Isabel left the Lockton's house for the last time intending to walk west and steal a rowboat, but found herself instead walking towards the prison. She is able to sneak Curzon our by a wheelbarrow, saying that he is dead. I think in the next chapter Isabel and Curzon will make a break for their freedom Ch.45) Isabel and Curzon slowly made their way to the wharf, Curzon barely concious. Isabel then rowed them both by herself across the river that led them to New Jersey. When they got to the shore Isabel passed out. She wakes up and her and Curzon begin their long journey to freedom. End of the book. Good detail 50/50

= ﻿ ﻿__**REVOLUTION THEME CONNECTIONS**__= The book Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson has a lot to do with revolution and the ideals of freedom. For starters, it takes place during the American Revolution, and in the heart of New York, where several key battles took place. There is an abundance of background information about the war in the book, such as talking about the Germans that the English hired, or the fact that England said that any slave who fought for them would earn their freedom. Also, there is another example of a revolution, except on a much smaller scale. Isabel's revolution and fight for her and Ruth's freedom against their oppressing masters, the Locktons. It shows that no matter what or who it is, nation or slave, the call of freedom is strong and people would revolt against pretty much anything to get it. Great job relating to Isabel's life 25/25 =﻿__**DISCUSSION**__= Freedom in the eyes of Mr. Lockton would probably not be the definition we all think of today. To him, freedom is being able to do what you want, but to have someone set the rules and boundaries for you, not having to think as much for yourself, and of having control of the people beneath him. Liberty and freedon to the Patriots is something we may be more familiar with. It is being able to set your own rules and standards, to not have someone always telling you what you can and cannot do. Freedom in Isabel's mind is not having to anser to a master's beck and call, it is for her and Ruth to be able to take care of themselves without the weight of bondage and slavery limiting what they are capable of. Isabel will do almost anything to achieve her goeal and protect the people around her that she loves, and would risk almost anything for the freedom she craves.