Chains by: Laurie Halse Anderson

1. Chainsby: Laurie Halse Anderson Character Analysis By: Mackenzie Cross

2. Name: Isabel Lockton

3. Theme: Hard Work • Isabel works for the whole story to get herself and her sister, Ruth, free from the Locktons. She does what she is told and tries to please her masters so they will eventually allow her to leave the house on an errand so she and Ruth can get away.

4. Physical Description • Young, black, female about 12 years old • At the end of the novel, she has an “I” branded into her cheek to stand for “Insolence”.

5. Personality Traits • Kind to Ruth • Helpful to Becky • Hardworking for Ruth • Loyal to her mother • Caring to Aunt Lockton

6. Dreams/Goals • To get herself and Ruth free from the “Chains” of slavery

7. Climactic Action • When Isabel is drugged and falls asleep, she wakes up to find that Ruth has been sold out from under her. • She goes nuts. • Madam Lockton has her caught and has an “I” branded on her cheek. • This makes Isabel determined to change her life and find Ruth.

8. Struggle • Isabel struggles in the beginning of the novel when their new owner doesn’t believe her about the will. • Isabel struggles when the Lockton’s bargain to buy them. She begs Jenny to keep them. Jenny says she can’t. • Isabel struggles with whether or not she should spy on the Locktons. • Isabel struggles with finding Curzon and rescuing him. • Isabel struggles with how to find Ruth after she is sold.

9. Reward • For being kind to Aunt Lockton, she gives Isabel money to be able to make it past the guards at the end. • Isabel helps Curzon escape and they head for New Jersey to look for Ruth.

10. Family • Isabel’s father was sold. • Isabel’s mother died of yellow fever. • Isabel’s sister, Ruth, was sold away from her.