Chains Study Guide, Chapters 1-5
Name: _____________________________________________
The setting of a novel refers to its time period and location. It usually changes as the story unfolds. Answer the following
questions to identify the initial setting of Chains.
1. What dates do the first five chapters span?
2. In which colony does the story begin?
3. To what city do Isabel and Ruth travel in Chapter IV?
4. Based on what you’ve read so far and what you know about the historical significance of this time period, why will the
setting play an important role in the story?
The point of view of a story refers to the perspective from which the story is told. Chains is told in the first person point of
view because the story is narrated by a character (Isabel), we can only see her perspective, and the author uses the
pronouns “I” and “me” when referring to the narrator.
5. Write down a quote that shows that the story is told from the first person point of view.
Circle 1 – 3 words in that quote that signal the first person point of view.
6. Why do you think the author, Laurie Halse Anderson, chose to write this book from first person point of view?
7. As a reader, what do you gain from the first person point of view? What do you lose?
8. Look closely at page 5 when Isabel is trying to reach her mother, beginning with “I started…” and ending at “…called
overhead.” Write down anything you think might be symbolic or foreshadowing and explain why.
9. Isabel says, "I opened my mouth to roar, but not a sound escaped. I could not even mewl like a kitten." (Anderson 12)
What does Isabel mean in this statement? Why does Isabel try to roar, but can’t? Include examples and details from the
chapter to support your answer.
Chapter 2
10. Characterize Pastor Weeks. How does his role as a Pastor compare with his actions? How does his name reflect his
personality?
Chapters 3-5
Authors develop a believable and likable character by giving the reader information about his/her background, family
life, personality traits, and feelings. We learn about the characters in a novel by examining what they think, feel, say, and
do, as well as what others say and think about them.
11. Characterize Jenny
12. Characterize Mr. Finch.
13. What do the seeds symbolize or represent to Isabel?
14. Write down five things you know about Ruth (age, ability, background).
15. Then explain how Isabel feels about Ruth and use a quote from the book to support your answer.
16. Describe Curzon.
17. Then explain what Curzon says he is fighting for.
18-19. How do imagery and setting reflect Isabel’s internal conflict?
“Anne.” Lockton fixed his eyes intently on his wife. “Do not fail me.” She gave a little nod. “You have a plan?” Charles
asked. “Everything is in order,” Lockton said.” (Anderson 29)
20. Make a prediction about the Locktons’ plan. What is it?
Illustrating what Figurative Language Develops in Our Minds
Name: _________________________________
The author, Laurie Halse Anderson, uses a lot of figurative language, words and phrases that produce vivid images in the
reader’s mind. Re-read the following passages. Then draw a simple sketch of the image each passage produces in your
mind.
. … Mr. Robert dropped the heavy coins into a worn velvet bag. The thudding sound they made as they fell to the
bottom reminded me of clods of dirt raining down on a fresh coffin. (p. 23)
They kept moving us over the water, stealing us away from our ghosts and our ancestors, who cried salty rivers into the
sand. (p. 25)
Now find your own passage (1 – 3 sentences) from the first five chapters that produces a particularly strong image in
your mind. Copy the passage and draw a simple sketch. Then explain why that passage is so powerful to you.
On the back of this paper: Sketch a picture of how you envision Isabel. Around the picture, write four words describing
what she’s like. Under the picture, pull out a specific quote from the book that supports each word. For instance, for the
word “brave,” you might use this quote: “I kept my face still as a plaster mask, but inside my brainpan, thoughts chase
round and round. By the time the men rose to leave, I knew what I had to do.” (p. 61)
Chains Study Guide Questions
Name: ___________________________________________
Part 1
Chapter 1
1.
What is the setting at the beginning of the novel?
2.
From what point of view is the story told?
3. How do you know?
4. Identify the narrator.
5.
Who is Miss Mary Finch and what has happened to her?
6.
Why does Isabel ask Pastor Weeks if she can run ahead of the wagon carrying Miss Mary Finch?
7. What happens?
8. Why does this upset Isabel?
9.
How does Mr. Robert treat Isabel? Why?
10.
Which sentence is a simile that describes one of Mr. Robert’s features?
Chapter 2
1.
Why does Isabel ask Pastor Weeks if he knows of a place where she and Ruth can sleep?
2.
How do Isabel and Ruth become the property of Mr. Robert? How does that affect Isabel?
3.
How does Isabel’s ability to read work against her?
4.
What are Mr. Robert’s plans for Isabel and her sister?
5.
Why does Pastor Weeks tell Mr. Roberts that Isabel and Ruth will fetch a better price with their shoes and
blankets?
6.
What incident does Isabel recall when she realizes that she and Ruth are to be sold?
7. How does she compare herself to her father?
8. What literary device does Anderson use to compare Isabel to her father?
Chapter 3
1.
Mr. Robert tells Isabel that she can only take their shoes and blankets because nothing else belongs to them.
What does Isabel decide to take as a reminder of home?
2.
Isabel states that she doesn’t know if her mother’s seeds will grow or what they might become. What might the
seeds symbolize?
3.
Why does Mr. Robert take Isabel and Ruth to Sullivan’s Tavern?
4. How is Mr. Robert’s business proposition received by the proprietors of the establishment?
5.
Describe the difference between Mr. Robert’s treatment of Ruth and Isabel and the tavern owners’ treatment of
the girls.
6.
What does Isabel discover about Jenny’s connection to her past?
7.
According to Jenny, what skill has Isabel always possessed?
8. Why might such a skill be important to the narration of the novel?
9.
What request does Isabel make of Jenny?
10. How does Jenny respond?
11.
Why does Mr. Lockton ask Mr. Robert about his loyalty to the King?
12.
Why does Jenny offer to buy Ruth and Isabel?
13. Why is this unusual?
14.
What is the outcome of the bidding?
15. How will this affect Ruth and Isabel?
Chapter 4
1.
How do the Locktons, Isabel, and Ruth travel from Newport to New York?
2.
Describe Isabel and Ruth’s living conditions while traveling.
3.
What is Isabel’s mental state while sitting on the deck of the Hartshorn?
4.
What does the reader learn about Isabel’s own beliefs and the history of her people?
Chapter 5
1.
Describe and explain Ruth’s and Isabel’s reactions when they emerge from the ship in New York.
2.
Why does the soldier stop the sailors from loading Madam Lockton’s walnut chest onto the carriage?
3. What is Madam Lockton’s reaction?
4.
When Charles arrives at the dock, he is clearly upset and tells the Locktons that they shouldn’t have come back.
How does this affect the tone of the scene?
5. What does it (the reaction of Charles) imply with regard to the Locktons?
6. How does the introduction of Mr. Bellingham alter Lockton’s previous claims regarding allegiance to the King?
7. What is Mr. Bellinham’s major concern?
8.
Why does Madam Lockton threaten to remain perched on her chest at the dock?
9.
How do Ruth’ and Isabel’s reaction to Madam Lockton’s behavior alter the stand-off over the chest?
10.
Who is Curzon? What does he offer to do for Isabel?