DiscussionQuestions

Here are all of our discussion questions from the book //Chains// by Laure Halse Anderson.

Nathan G: Bradley- Not slavery John- Deciding what you want to do when you want to ||
 * = **Assignment** ||= **Discussion Question** ||= **Answer** ||
 * = ch 1-5 ||= On page 23, how does Isabel compare the selling of a slave to the death of a person? ||= Isabel thinks that being sold as a slave makes you feel like you are dead. It makes you feel like the person who is buying you thinks of you as property and not a human being. ||
 * = ch 1-5 ||= How does the author use opposite character qualities to develop the characters? ||= The author does a great job of using opposite characters to describe the situations. For example, Jenny and Mrs. Lockton have totally different intentions on buying Isabel. Mrs. Lockton needs Isabel to work, while Jenny wants to give Isabel and Ruth a better life. ||
 * = ch 6-15 ||= Do you like how on page 58 the characters' names are their most prominent feature? Why or why not? Why aren't their real names used? ||= I like the names of the characters being their most prominent feature because it helps to keep a mental picture of each one. The author does this because Isabel doesn't know their names and decides to make some up. ||
 * = ch 6-15 ||= How are the personalities of Mr. and Mrs. Lockton different? Similar? ||= They're similar because they are both Loyalist, mean, and rich. They're different because Mrs. is meaner, while Mr. is business-like. Also, they get in arguments constantly. ||
 * = ch 16-20 ||= What does the king's statue symbolize? (Being gold on the outside but lead on the inside) ||= The King's statue symbolizes that the King seems to be powerful on the outside, but actually, he is weak. It is also ironic that the rebels melt down the statue as cannonballs to fire at the King's troops. ||
 * = ch 16-20 ||= Why did Madam have such a large change in character? Is it more than the stated reason? ||= Madam was nice to Isabel and gave her the night off because she was going to sell Ruth. Madam didn't want Isabel to suspect anything, so she tricked Isabel into thinking that everything was alright. ||
 * = ch 21-25 ||= What does Isabel's dream on page 130-131 symbolize? What does it mean? ||= Isabel's dream symbolizes that Isabel is lost and doesn't know hat to do. Isabel wants to run away, but she has never had a good chance. She is deeply upset that she doesn't know what to do. ||
 * = ch 21-25 ||= Why are there so many references to bees? (Especially in chapters 24-25) ||= The bees that Isabel sees refers to the confusion that Isabel has. She can't see things correctly, so she says she sees bees. ||
 * = ch 26-30 ||= "Freedom" means different things to different people. What does freedom mean to you? ||= Kyler- Total unlimited power
 * = ch 26-30 ||= "Freedom" means different things to different people. What does freedom mean to you? ||= Kyler- Total unlimited power
 * = ch 26-30 ||= Do you think that Isabel will reach freedom? If so, how? ||= Yes. I believe she will reach freedom by either running away or joining the British Army. Isabel is starting to get respect from the British, so she might get her freedom through them. ||
 * = ch 31-36 ||= Did Lady Seymour take the most valuable things from her house before it burned? What would you take from your house? ||= Yes because Lady Seymour actually repays Isabel for taking the things out of her house later in the book. If I were in a house on fire I would just want to get out. ||
 * = ch 31-36 ||= How do the plants on the top of page 202 compare to Isabel's hopes and dreams? Why? ||= The plants are dead and so are Isabel's hopes and dreams. Isabel forgot to care about the plants, and she forget to achieve her goals too. ||
 * = ch 37-41 ||= In what ways does Isabel rebel from the normal expectations of a slave girl? ||= Isabel is rebellious to show that she isn't completely controlled by her owners. She feeds the prisoners and delivers messages between officers. Unlike other slaves, Isabel has a life outside the home. ||
 * = ch 37-41 ||= What impact does //Common Sense// have on Isabel? ||= //Common Sense// changes how Isabel thinks of freedom completely. She now has support to believe that she too can be free one day. ||
 * = ch 42-44 ||= Did filling out a pass truly make Isabel a person? Was she a person before? ||= Isabel was a person before, just not in the eyes of others. Now that she has a pass, she is free, but that doesn't mean she won't get caught. ||
 * = ch 42-44 ||= What is Isabel's motivation for rescuing Curzon? ||= Isabel rescues Curzon because she likes him and she feels a moral obligation to him. She wants to repay him for being so nice to her at the beginning. ||
 * = ch 45 ||= Do you think Isabel will find Ruth in the sequel? ||= Yes, because it would make a good ending to the second book. ||
 * = ch 45 ||= Is Isabel permanently free or will she soon get caught? ||= I think she will probably escape for a little while, then get caught in the second book. ||

Bradley S: -Sides with King -Doesn't look for will || -Curzon might've experienced similar events -Things might get rough soon || -No, play it safe, stay out of trouble || - Maybe Isabel will run away (To the stars, North star) || -Fight back -Shoot her with the lead bullet! || -To show her who's boss - To punish her || -Can't face Isabel || - Life is becoming routine || - Isabel's hopes are gone || - Isabel's choices -Nothing || -Realize that the rebels were right || -No, because she would still be a slave || -If she should steal from anyone it should be from Lockton -Well, she need the money... || -Has to be happy ending -No, Isabel will have to deal with reality ||
 * = **Assignment** ||= **Discussion Question** ||= **Answer** ||
 * = ch 1-5 ||= How does the author portray Mr. Robert to be a "bad guy" ||= -Compared to Reverend
 * = ch 1-5 ||= How does the author portray Mr. Robert to be a "bad guy" ||= -Compared to Reverend
 * = ch 1-5 ||= Do Curzon's "dark gray [eyes], the color of the sea during a storm," symbolizes anything? ||= -Isabel's problem in New York, not having will
 * = ch 6-15 ||= On page 39, Isabel says, "Loyalist or rebel, I don't care." Do you think she will change this policy? ||= - Yes, become rebel spy, join up with Curzon
 * = ch 6-15 ||= Is Lady Seymour really nice, or is she just mean like Madam Lockton, except better at concealing it? (78) ||= -Nice, serves as a FOIL to Madam Lockton ||
 * = ch 16-20 ||= Does "ad astra" symbolized anything? Will it foreshadow future events? ||= -Maybe
 * = ch 16-20 ||= Isabel thinks, "Tyrants beware" (126) as she pockets a piece of the leaden king. How will Isabel deal with the tyrant in her own life? ||= - Run away
 * = ch 21-25 ||= Why does Madam want to brand Isabel? ||= -To get back at her
 * = ch 21-25 ||= Why is it Madam who ignores Isabel, and not the other way around? ||= -Because Madam is cowardly
 * = ch 26-30 ||= Will joining the British solve Isabel's probelms? (174) ||= -No, she'll still be a slave ||
 * = ch 26-30 ||= Why does Isabel keep saying "it matters not?" ||= - Losing will to live?
 * = ch 31-36 ||= Is there any symbolism behind Isabel's plants dying? (202) ||= - Isabel's life in Rhode Island is dead
 * = ch 31-36 ||= What do the three turtles represent? (207) ||= - The choices you can make
 * = ch 37-41 ||= How will reading //Common Sense// change Isabel's opinion of the war? ||= -Side back with the rebels
 * = ch 37-41 ||= Should Isabel be grateful that Lady Seymour tried to buy her? ||= -Yes, because Lady Seymour is so much nicer than Madam Lockton
 * = ch 42-44 ||= How will changing her name to Isabel Gardner affect the story? ||= -Isabel will be more caring, nice ||
 * = ch 42-44 ||= Is stealing from Lady Seymour justifiable? ||= -No, stealing is wrong, period
 * = ch 45 ||= Will Isabel find Ruth? ||= -Yes
 * = ch 45 ||= Will Curzon live? ||= -Yes, otherwise sequel will be boring ||

John G:
 * = **Assignment** ||= **Discussion Question** ||= **Answer** ||
 * = ch 1-5 ||= On page 23 it says" the thudding sound they made as they fell to the bottom reminded me of clods of dirt raining on a fresh coffin," is this foreshadowing or looking at what she has seen before? ||= It is either comparing it to here life partially ending or just thinking back. ||
 * = ch 1-5 ||= What will happen with Curzon and Isabel? ||= They will fall in love. ||
 * = ch 6-15 ||= Do you think Lockton knows Isabel is a spy ||= No he only moved his money for safety ||
 * = ch 6-15 ||= How will they stop the plan to kill Washington? ||= Isabel will tell the soldiers. ||
 * = ch 16-20 ||= Why does the other slave on the street help Isabel? ||= Because slaves feel bad for all slaves. ||
 * = ch 16-20 ||= Why was Madam so nice to Ruth and Isabel? ||= Because she is going to sell Ruth. ||
 * = ch 21-25 ||= How did Madam get into the fort? ||= Because she is rich and powerful. ||
 * = ch 21-25 ||= Why does Isabel hate Curzon now? ||= Because she likes the british. ||
 * = ch 26-30 ||= Do you think Isabel will see Curzon again? ||= Yes, once the war is over they will become friends again. ||
 * = ch 26-30 ||= Do you think curzon will die in the war? ||= No, because he and Isabel will be great friends after the war. ||
 * = ch 31-36 ||= On 197 it says "'God's judgement on the british' whispered the rebels 'rebel sabotage' shouted the loyalist" why do the british shout and the rebels whisper? ||= Because the british are winning the war and the rebels are scared what will happen if they support the cause to much. ||
 * = ch 31-36 ||= How does lady seymour know about isabel helping the prisoners? ||= Because she is rich and can find things out. ||
 * = ch 37-41 ||= Why weren't the guards suspicious of note passing when the prisoners cheered for the trenton victory? ||= They don't care because prisoners don't mean anything to them. ||
 * = ch 37-41 ||= Will Isabel ever work at the prison? ||= No, Madam won't let her. ||
 * = ch 42-44 ||= Will Isabel's escape plan work? ||= Yes, because it is planned very well. ||
 * = ch 42-44 ||= Will Curzon die in the prison? ||= No, Isabel will be able to get him out. ||
 * = ch 45 ||= Will they make it to Charleston? ||= Yes because Isabel is motivated. ||
 * = ch 45 ||= Will Curzon be able to walk? ||= Yes, because he's determined. ||
 * = ch 45 ||= Will Curzon be able to walk? ||= Yes, because he's determined. ||

Kyler W: -They might have gotten captured, and/or arrested -They might work for someone else || -She could have sent Ruth outside and got her lost ||
 * = **Assignment** ||= **Discussion Question** ||= **Answer** ||
 * = ch 1-5 ||= At the beginning of the chapter three, why does Isabel call Mr. Robert a Snake? Is there any symbolism used? ||= There is symbolism used because he is very sly and evil. ||
 * = ch 1-5 ||= What do you think would have happened if Jenny bought Isabel and Ruth? How would their lives be different? ||= She might have helped them or let them find the will that sets them free. ||
 * = ch 6-15 ||= On pages 39-41, is there any foreshadowing? If so, what is it foreshadowing? ||= Yes there is foreshadowing. Its foreshadowing that Isabel might be a spy for the rebels. ||
 * = ch 6-15 ||= On pages 53-54 and again on page 56, does the phrase, "Ten circles to the left, ten circles to the righty, all make the blade sharp and mighty," mean anything? ||= It might foreshadow that Isabel might do something with the knife, or it is her trying to make herself strong, and not let Mrs. Lockton get to her. ||
 * = ch 16-20 ||= On page 97, if Ruth and Isabel were to run away at that time, what do you think would have happened to them? ||= -They would have tried running to their old home
 * = ch 16-20 ||= On page 97, if Ruth and Isabel were to run away at that time, what do you think would have happened to them? ||= -They would have tried running to their old home
 * = ch 16-20 ||= On page 115 to 116, how do you think Ruth would have reacted if she saw the hanging? Would that be bad for her and Isabel? ||= Ruth might have had a possible seizure, and that would have been bad for her and Isabel because Isabel wouldn't be able to do anything about helping Ruth. The people would also think differently about her and Isabel. ||
 * = ch 21-25 ||= Is there any symbolism in Isabel's dream at the beginning of Chapter 21? ||= Yes, it shows that she wants to be with Ruth but it shows that she's not always going to have Ruth with her. ||
 * = ch 21-25 ||= On 132 at the top of the page, what were your thoughts of what Madam did to Ruth? ||= -It seemed like she killed her
 * = ch 26-30 ||= Do you think that having the British in New York, will help Isabel at all? ||= No, they do not care about the needs of slaves and they are not willing to help her. ||
 * = ch 26-30 ||= Do you think that Cruzon will do good in the military? ||= Yes, but he still could get injured like the rest of the army. ||
 * = ch 31-36 ||= When Isabel's plant dies, do you think it could be foreshadowing anything? Or could it symbolize something? ||= I think that might foreshadow someone in Isabel's life dying, or it might symbolism her hope dying. ||
 * = ch 31-36 ||= When the house was on fire, why do you think Madam took her valuables, instead of important papers? ||= She felt that those were the most valuable things in her collection. and she probably wanted the papers to burn so that no one would know about her being a loyalist, not that it mattered anymore. ||
 * = ch 37-41 ||=  ||=   ||
 * = ch 37-41 ||=  ||=   ||
 * = ch 42-44 ||=  ||=   ||
 * = ch 42-44 ||=  ||=   ||
 * = ch 45 ||= Before you read the end of the book, do you think that Cruzon will live and be able to help Isabel? ||= No he won't be able to help her because he is to badly beaten. ||
 * = ch 45 ||= Do you think that Isabel and Cruzon will make it to Jersey? ||= Yes they will. ||