In the book "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson, Isabel, a young slave girl tries to attain her freedom, but there is by no means any parity for her and her kind. As she is trying to do this a whole nation is declaring and fighting for their freedom as well. This book is set in New York in the Revolutionary War while Isabel lives in a censorious and Loyalist household. Isabel goes through many woeful experiences and hardships where it is almost unendurable at times. The author shows the theme of perseverance through Isabel's struggles, the branding, Ruth and Momma, and how Isabel perceives and copes with her struggles, the bees.
Isabel has had many struggles nevertheless one of the most demeaning struggles she has endured was her branding. Isabel was infuriated at her …show more content…
She had proclaimed her owner was a cow then at that instant she tried to escape then as assumed she was placed in prison and her owner determined her punishment was she was to be branded with an “I” for insolence. Then as she was being branded she thought, “They cooked me”(148), “Night crept into my soul”(148). After this she was ashamed and conscience-stricken. “He tilted my chin to the side so he could examine the brand on my cheek. I tried to pull away but he held fast”(167). “I caught a glimpse of a girl in the hearth of the mirror with a mark on her cheek that trumpeted her shame. I quickly turned my eyes away”(208). This shows how she sees the mark as disgusting and horrid and that it takes over her and now the branding shows everyone how nonsensical she is. She eventually doesn't see herself as herself. She sees her reflection as an unsightly, disgraceful, and disgusting she is as a person and how the I for insolence is what she is and always will be. An insolent slavegirl who will never be
Isabel has had many struggles nevertheless one of the most demeaning struggles she has endured was her branding. Isabel was infuriated at her …show more content…
She had proclaimed her owner was a cow then at that instant she tried to escape then as assumed she was placed in prison and her owner determined her punishment was she was to be branded with an “I” for insolence. Then as she was being branded she thought, “They cooked me”(148), “Night crept into my soul”(148). After this she was ashamed and conscience-stricken. “He tilted my chin to the side so he could examine the brand on my cheek. I tried to pull away but he held fast”(167). “I caught a glimpse of a girl in the hearth of the mirror with a mark on her cheek that trumpeted her shame. I quickly turned my eyes away”(208). This shows how she sees the mark as disgusting and horrid and that it takes over her and now the branding shows everyone how nonsensical she is. She eventually doesn't see herself as herself. She sees her reflection as an unsightly, disgraceful, and disgusting she is as a person and how the I for insolence is what she is and always will be. An insolent slavegirl who will never be