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Chains Study Guide Questions
Part 2
Chapter 25
1. How has Madam Lockton’s and Isabel’s behavior changed since Isabel has returned to the home? Isabel just
does as she’s told; Madam doesn’t even speak to or look at Isabel.
2. Why does Madam Lockton allow Isabel to walk into town unattended? How is Isabel treated in town? How does
Isabel feel? She thinks that because of Isabel’s brand, she won’t do anything out of line. Everyone notices the
scar whether they say anything or not, and Isabel knows it.
3. Why does Isabel finally speak with Curzon? Why does Curzon want to talk to Isabel? How does she respond?
What is Curzon trying to get Isabel to understand when he tells her that they all have scars? She doesn’t want
him to get into trouble for coming around. She wants to tell him to stay away. He just wants to tell her he is
sorry. He needs her to realize that nothing is easy or free.
Chapter 26
1. What particular challenge does the storm present for the Lockton home? The house leaks and there is no man to
fix it.
2. What debate is in progress at the water pump when Isabel arrives? Which side would you support? What side
should the slaves take in the war?
3. Why does the woman in the yellow head cloth say that both the Loyalists and Patriots are hypocritical? Do you
agree or disagree? They say one thing and do another. The British will only free the Patriot slaves who work for
them, and the Patriots won’t free the slaves even if they fight.
4. What words of support and advice does Grandfather provide to Isabel? What does he mean when he tells the
people to find their River Jordan? Use your scar to remember your strength. The River Jordan is a symbol of
freedom.
5. How does Curzon behave differently than he has in the past when he comes up behind Isabel on her walk home
from the pump? He does not talk to her.
Chapter 27
1. Why is Madam Lockton so nervous? She is hoping that the British have won.
2. What news does Becky bring that upsets Madam Lockton causing her to take to her bed, and Isabel unable to
eat her breakfast? She talks about the wounded men.
3. Why does Becky say she will leave New York? She will leave if the British take control.
4. Who is Isabel pleased to see moving around at the end of the chapter? Why is her relief significant? Curzon. She
pretended not to care about him. She is showing that she does care.
Chapter 28
1. What has finally arrived in New York? The British ships (the war)
2. On what errand does Madam send Isabel after dinner? Why is Isabel shocked by and reluctant to follow
Madam’s orders? She tells her to go get food from the market. There is a war going on outside and she has no
way of knowing if and when Master Lockton will return.
3. What does Isabel decide to do and why? She decides to sneak away and try to get a job with the British soldiers.
She is hoping that they will set her free.
Chapter 29
1. What internal conflict rages within Isabel at the opening of the chapter? Should she join the British or not.
2. Who does Isabel approach in order to offer her services in return for British support? What is his reaction to her
offer? She approaches Captain Campbell, and he is not impressed with her.
3. How does Isabel demonstrate that she can be useful to the British forces? She offers the location of
Washington’s headquarters.
4. Why does Captain Campbell hesitate to allow Isabel into the camp, despite her usefulness? Her scar says she has
had some trouble with authority.
5. Does Captain Campbell allow Isabel to join his cause in exchange for her help? What is the deciding factor? He
does not help her because she is a Loyalist slave.
6. What familiar individual emerges from the boat? What is his reaction to Isabel’s presence? Lockton comes from
the ship. He is suspicious of her being there, but she easily explains it away.
7. How does Captain Campbell respond to Isabel’s statement to Master Lockton? He confirms that she is a loyalist
too.
Chapter 30
1. Who begins living in the Lockton home, as well as many of the homes in New York?
British soldiers are living in the Lockton’s home and other Loyalist’s homes.
2. Why has Isabel’s work load increased?
Becky has disappeared.
3. Why has Lady Seymour requested that Isabel be sent to her home? How do the Lockton’s respond to the
request? All of her servants have left and there are soldiers in her house. Madam Lockton says no, but Master
Lockton tells her to go, and Madam Lockton is furious that he chose his aunt over her.
4. Compare and contrast Isabel’s working and living conditions in the Seymour household with her living and
working conditions at the Locktons’. At the Lockton’s she had to stay in the basement with the spiders and rats.
At Lady Seymour’s she has a bed and is well fed.
5. To what does Isabel awaken at the close of chapter 30?
Fire
Chapter 31
1. How does Isabel react to the realization that the house is on fire? What is Lady Seymour’s response?
Isabel tries to warn everyone, while Lady Seymour is trying to get some of her belongings out.
2. Who is responsible for getting Isabel and Lady Seymour out of the house when the ceiling begins to collapse?
Isabel
3. What question does Lady Seymour ask regarding the bells? Why are the bells important? Why aren’t the bells
chiming? They are supposed to be warning everyone, but they have been melted down to make bullets
therefore causing innocent people to die.
4. Where does Isabel take Lady Seymour to ensure her safety? What does this decision prove about Isabel’s
character? The Lockton’s- She Is a good person. She could have just left Lady Seymour on the street to die and
escape herself, but she put herself back in a bad situation to save the old woman.
Chapter 32
1. How did the fire begin? How does the investigation represent the political scene during the time period? No
one really knows how it started, but both sides blamed the other.
2. What have both Isabel and Lady Seymour lost in the fire? What is Lady Seymour’s condition after the fire?
Isabel lost Ruth’s doll. Lady Seymour lost all her belongings except those that Isabel saved. She has had a stroke.
3. Why does Madam Lockton make daily trips to Lady Seymour’s burned down house? She is hoping that she will
eventually find some treasure there.
4. How do the dynamics of the Lockton household change? Why? More British soldiers come to stay there
including a high-ranking Colonel Hawkins. Many houses burned in the fire and they have been displaced.
5. How does Isabel feel about the changes to the Lockton household and the loss of Ruth’s doll? She is happy to be
working in the kitchen, but she is very lonely without the doll/Ruth.
Chapter 33
1. Isabel states that “the autumn passes in a dogweary haze…everything was cloaked in gray” and covered with
ash, including her skin. What does this tell the reader about Isabel’s state of mind? Why does this make her
wonder about Ruth? She is depressed. She remembers her mother taking care of them, and hopes that
someone is taking care of Ruth now.
2. What does Isabel notice about the difference between the rich and poor Loyalists?
The rich ones had food and a place to stay.
3. How does the newspaper article that describes the British troops’ destruction and looting of the library affect
Lady Seymour? She becomes very angry.
4. How does Madam Lockton feel about Lady Seymour? She doesn’t think she is ever going to die.
5. What becomes Isabel’s responsibility as Lady Seymour’s health improves? What does Lady Seymour do to show
Isabel how much she appreciated having the letters and picture of her husband? She has to take Lady Seymour
for walks. She doesn’t make her pay for the new clothes she has made for her.
6. What does Isabel witness at the Commons the next day? What is the most horrifying moment for her?
Patriot soldiers being taken to prison. Curzon is one of them.
Chapter 34
1. What do the details that Isabel provides of Madam Lockton’s dinner party demonstrate about her character?
Madam Lockton is all about impressing other people.
2. Describe the change in Master Lockton’s physical appearance. How does Isabel explain the change?
He has lost a lot of weight. He has been working really hard, but he is getting lots of money.
3. Why do the serving girls and wine steward have to hold back their laughter following the meal?
Madam Lockton’s eyebrow falls into her rice pudding.
4. What does Isabel learn about the treatment of the rebel prisoners while listening to the dinner conversation?
The Loyalists are trying to figure out how to get rid of them.
5. Why does Isabel hide the table scraps in the holly bushes? Maybe she will take them to the prisoners. She feels
bad that they have leftovers and the prisoners are starving.
Chapter 35
1. How long does Isabel have to wait before going to the prison? How is she able to go without permission from
the Locktons? 3 days. She sneaks out when the ladies leave to visit friends.
2. What are the ashes that stirred Isabel’s soul? How are the ashes settled and shushed? Her internal struggle
about whether she should help Curzon. She knows she will get in trouble, but she knows it is the right thing to
do. She remembers that he saved her life.
3. What simile does the author use to describe the men in the prison cell? “It was filled with men and boys milling
around like nervous cattle herded into a goat pen.”
4. How does the author use imagery to describe Curzon when Isabel sees him in the cell? Curzon is described as a
pile of rags on the floor.
5. Curzon tells Isabel about the battle at the fort and the boy from Connecticut. What is the author trying to get
the reader to understand about war and violence? The reader will be able to connect to the realities of war.
6. What happened to the rebel officers after the fort was surrendered to the British? How does this make Curzon
and his fellow prisoners feel? They are allowed to walk free. They are fed regularly. They are bitter about it.
7. What happens when the guard returns with the food bucket that Isabel had brought for Curzon? How is the
situation handled? What does Isabel learn about the soldiers? Half the food is gone. One soldier takes the food
saying that a slave shouldn’t get the food. It is passed around for everyone. She is surprised that they all make
sure everyone gets food.
8. What favor does the sergeant request of Isabel? What is her response? Pass messages to their Captain. She says
it is too risky.
Chapter 36
1. What delays Isabel’s return to Bridewell? Lady Seymour gets sick, and Isabel has to tend to her.
2. How does Isabel use the time with Lady Seymour to keep up with the progress of the war? She reads the
newspapers that Lady Seymour leaves laying around.
3. How have the conditions in the prison changed? How is Isabel able to get more food to the prisoners? Blankets
and food have been donated. She hides the food she brings under pie.
4. How does Lady Seymour respond to Isabel’s bold suggestion that she eat more to maintain her strength? She
says that she appreciates her taking the left-overs to the prison, but be careful.
5. How does the stationer recognize Isabel and know that she has been taking food to the prisoners? Curzon had
pointed her out before and her brand.
6. The stationer secretly gives Isabel a book and tells her that anyone who loves liberty should commit the words
to heart. What does Isabel intend to do with the book and why? She plans to throw it in the fire. She doesn’t
want to get in trouble anymore.
Chapter 37
1. How does Isabel use an argument between the soldiers’ wives to her advantage? Which of Isabel’s character
traits is most obvious in this scene? She offers to go to the pump herself. She is showing her intelligence and
cunning nature.
2. How have the regulations changed at the prison? No one can go inside, and anyone bringing food or other things
will be arrested.
3. Why does Isabel bargain with Dibdin? What does she agree to do? What does Dibdin agree to do? Curzon is sick.
She agrees to get a message to the Captain. He will give Curzon his hat and blanket.
4. When Isabel finds Captain Morse and gives him Dibdin’s message, how does he respond? What does she ask of
the Captain and why does he agree? He says he will do what he can immediately. She asks him to treat Curzon
the same as the soldiers. He agrees because he considers Curzon to be a true soldier.
5. Why is Madam Lockton angry with Master Lockton? He is going to London until summer and refused to take her
with him.
6. Due to the cold and her concern for Washington and his troops, Isabel is unable to sleep. In her restlessness she
retrieves the book given to her by stationer. What is the title, who wrote the book, and what is Isabel’s initial
impression of the book? Common Sense by Thomas Paine. She thinks he makes sense, but he uses too many
words.
Chapter 38
1. What holiday memories does Isabel share with the reader? Christmas with her mother and Ruth
2. What does Isabel receive for Christmas? Black leather shoes from Lady Seymour
3. What does Isabel plan to do on her day off? What interferes with her plans? She plans to walk through New
York, but Madam Lockton keeps finding work for her to do.
4. What is Isabel’s initial reaction when Madam Lockton questions her about going to Bridewell prison? What does
Isabel soon realize while listening to Madam Lockton? What is the outcome of the conversation? She is scared
until she realizes that Lady Seymour covered for her. Madam tells her to fear the day that Lady Seymour dies.
5. What change comes over Isabel as she walks on the north shore of the North River? She realizes that Madam
can hurt her body, but she cannot harm her or her sister’s soul.
6. How does Isabel celebrate Christmas? She bathes, bakes, and then prays with a family who lost their home.
Chapter 39
1. With whom does Isabel walk to the fish market? Why? She goes with Sarah, so she can help carry a basket that
is too heavy
2. Who approaches Isabel during the ruckus at the market? What is Isabel’s reaction? Captain Morse. She thinks
that someone will see them.
3. Why does Sarah allow Isabel to fetch water from the pump after Madam forbids it? Sarah thinks it is silly that
Isabel is not allowed to go, so she tells her she can. She feels that she doesn’t answer to Madam.
4. Why does Isabel intentionally spill the water after lunch? What is Sarah’s reaction? Isabel wants to meet Captain
Morse. Sarah thinks she is up to something, but tells her to go anyway.
5. What is the message Captain Morse wants Isabel to deliver? Why does Isabel hesitate to deliver the message?
Why can’t Isabel deliver the message as she has done in the past? He needs her to tell the prisoners that
Washington has defeated the British in Trenton. She is afraid she will be arrested because it is a handwritten
note.
6. How do the prisoners respond to Captain Morse’s message? The prisoners are thrilled because the Patriots have
not given up.
Chapter 40
1. What surprising offer does the guard Fisher propose to Isabel? Why might such a proposition be important to
her plans? He offers to hire her if she is allowed. She may be able to get into the prison cells.
2. Why does Master Lockton leave for London earlier than planned? He leaves early to deliver the news of British
setbacks.
3. Sarah gives birth to a boy and names him George. Why is that significant? It could show her allegiance to the
King of England or her patriotism to George Washington.
4. Why does Lady Seymour ask Isabel to sit with her even though it is improper for a slave to do so? Why do you
believe Lady Seymour does this? Lady Seymour wants to apologize to Isabel for not forcing the Lockton’s to sell
the girls to her. She doesn’t have the same view of slavery as others in the time period.
5. How does Isabel react to Lady Seymour’s confession? She can’t tell her thank you because she still would have
been a slave.
6. Explain how the closing scene of chapter is ironic. The book is about freedom, but she has to hide it.
Chapter 41
1. What upcoming event has filled Madam Lockton with excitement? She is excited about a party in the honor of
Queen Charlotte.
2. What is the result of Lady Seymour’s latest seizure? Lady Seymour can no longer speak or use her legs.
3. How does Madam Lockton demonstrate her own self-centeredness following Lady Seymour’s illness? She wants
her to live until after the party so she won’t have to miss it. She also takes her room back from her.
4. Why does Isabel think of Ruth and who does she blame for her thoughts? Why? She sees some frozen sheets
and thinks that Ruth would like to see that if they were free. She blames Lady Seymour for making her think of
freedom.
5. What other thoughts of freedom enter Isabel’s mind? She thinks about Phyllis Wheatley being freed because she
was famous, and then she thinks about working to free herself.
Chapter 42
1. How does the author contrast the characters of Lady Seymour and Madam Lockton? Why might Isabel’s role as a
narrator be particularly important when comparing those two characters? Lady Seymour needs a doctor daily
while Madam needs a hairdresser. Isabel has no respect for Madam, so seeing it from Isabel’s eyes makes her
look even worse.
2. What possibilities does Isabel consider as she finishes Common Sense? She thinks that because a nation was able
to free itself, a young girl ought to be able to free herself.
3. Captain Morse calls to Isabel after weeks of no contact. What does he ask Isabel to do? Why can’t he perform
this task himself? He asks her to take a penny to Captain Farrar as a message. He is confined to his boarding
house.
4. Why does Isabel decide to deliver Captain Farrar’s message in her own good time? She is afraid that she will get
caught and in trouble for being gone too long.
5. How is Isabel greeted upon her return to the Lockton home? Isabel is attacked by Madam with a riding crop.
Chapter 43
1. Why is Madam furious with Isabel? What does Madam demand from Isabel? What does Isabel do? Madam has
heard that Isabel got a note from a rebel officer. She demands the note, and Isabel throws it in the fire.
2. What is Isabel shocked to learn from Madam Lockton’s angry ranting? Ruth has not been sold, just sent to the
Lockton’s other home.
3. What does Madam Lockton instruct Hannah to do with Isabel? Madam has her locked in the potato bin.
4. How does Isabel’s mental state change as she considers her situation in the potato bin? She is upset at first and
thinks of giving up until she thinks about Ruth being alive and so close to her.
5. How does Isabel escape? She is able to kick a rotten board away.
6. Explain the significance of Isabel’s reflection in the mirror. How is the importance of naming reflected in this
passage? Isabel sees both her mother and father in the mirror, but more importantly she sees the brand as a
symbol of her name rather than a symbol of her slavery. Also the last name identifies her as a real person.
7. What action does Isabel take to secure her freedom? Why is the ability to read and write important to her plan?
She forges the papers that release her from slavery. She would not have been able to do that if she couldn’t
read.
8. In what way does Isabel compare herself to Queen Charlotte? They share a birthday now. Isabel was reborn on
that day.
Chapter 44
1. Why does Isabel gather all of her belongings? She doesn’t plan on coming back.
2. How does Isabel’s relationship with Lady Seymour affect her actions before she leaves the Locktons’ home?
Isabel makes sure she is comfortable before she leaves.
3. Why is Isabel conflicted about taking Lady Seymour’s money? How does Isabel know that it is okay to take the
money? She feels like she is stealing from her. Lady Seymour looks at the picture of her husband and then at the
coin purse giving her permission to take it.
4. What is the last word that Isabel hears Lady Seymour utter? She tells Isabel to “run.”
5. What do the details of Isabel’s escape plan demonstrate about her character? She considers circumstances and
possibilities meaning that even though she must move quickly, she will not make rash decisions.
6. Why does Isabel risk her own escape to go to the prison? Explain your answer. She goes to rescue Curzon. He is
her only friend.
7. How does Isabel gain entrance to the prison? What warning does Fisher offer? She says she has to clean the
cells. Fisher tells her to mind her breathing because the inmates are sick with a fever.
8. How is Isabel able to get Curzon out of the prison? She puts him in a wheelbarrow covered with blankets and
tells the guard that it may take a while to bury.
Chapter 45
1. How do Isabel and Curzon escape? Fireworks provide a diversion so they can get to a boat
2. While rowing across the river Isabel says that she sees people in the fog. Who does Isabel see and what does she
learn about ghosts? She believes that the ghosts of her ancestors came to give her the strength to succeed
3. What is the significance of Isabel’s statement that they have “crossed the River Jordan?” Explain.