Chains Study Guide Chapters 21-25 Name: ______
Chapter 21
1. How might the epigraph and Isabel’s dream that open Chapter 21 strengthen the foreshadowing and suspense that concludes Chapter 20?
2. Why does Isabel become frightened when she looks for Ruth?
3. Fearing the worst, Isabel goes to Becky and asks what happened to Ruth. What does Becky tell Isabel?
4. Why does this information terrify Isabel?
5. How does Becky try to comfort Isabel?
6. What happens when Isabel confronts Madam Lockton?
7. How does Becky help Isabel?
8. Why does Isabel turn herself over to the rebels?
9. What is ironic about Colonel Regan’s statement that he cannot help Isabel because “even during time of war, we must follow the rules of propriety and civilization”?
10. What is Isabel’s final attempt at freedom? Is she successful? What happens?
11. Do you think Madam Lockton would have sold Ruth if Master Lockton had been home? Why/why not?
Chapter 22
12. What is Isabel’s physical condition and mental state when she awakens?
13. Where is Isabel taken to await trial?
14. Describe the living conditions.
15. Why is Isabel unable to defend herself in court?
16. During the trial, the attorney reminds the judge that they no longer live in a colony, but a state, due to “independence and all that”. Why might that statement seem inappropriate at Isabel’s trial?
17. Isabel is found guilty. What is her punishment?
18. What is unusual about the punishment and how it is selected?
Chapter 23
19. Use three words or phrases to describe the scene in which Isabel is branded.
20. How is Isabel comforted after being branded?
Chapter 24
21. Describe Isabel’s surroundings and thoughts when she awakens after suffering and hallucinating for days.
22. Where is Isabel, and why?
23. Is this surprising to you?
24. What is Isabel’s first question regarding Ruth?
25. What does Lady Seymour’s response indicate about her concern for Isabel and Ruth?
26. What will happen to Isabel now that she has recovered?
27. Why?
28. Why do you think the author chose to have a character like Angelika serve Isabel in the novel?
29. When Isabel and Lady Seymour reach the Lockton residence, how to they enter?
30. Why is this significant?
Part 2, Chapter 25
31. How has Madam Lockton’s and Isabel’s behavior changed since Isabel has returned to the home?
32. Why does Madam Lockton allow Isabel to walk into town unattended?
33. How is Isabel treated in town?
34. How does Isabel feel?
35. Why does Isabel finally speak with Curzon?
36. Why does Curzon want to talk to Isabel?
37. How does she respond?
38. What is Curzon trying to get Isabel to understand when he tells her that they all have scars?
Chains Study Guide Chapters 25-30 Name: ______
Part 2, Chapter 25
1. How has Madam Lockton’s and Isabel’s behavior changed since Isabel has returned to the home?
2. Why does Madam Lockton allow Isabel to walk into town unattended?
3. How is Isabel treated in town?
4. How does Isabel feel?
5. Why does Isabel finally speak with Curzon?
6. Why does Curzon want to talk to Isabel?
7. How does she respond?
8. What is Curzon trying to get Isabel to understand when he tells her that they all have scars?
Chapter 26
9. What particular challenge does the storm present for the Lockton home?
10. What debate is in progress at the water pump when Isabel arrives?
11. Which side would you support? Why?
12. Why does the woman in the yellow head cloth say that both the Loyalists and Patriots are hypocritical?
13. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
14. What words of support and advice does Grandfather provide to Isabel?
ALLUSION: an allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text. Here, the River Jordan is alluded to by Grandfather. The river has significance in Judaism, Christianity and Islam as the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist.
15. What does Grandfather mean when he tells the people to find their River Jordan?
16. How does Curzon behave differently than he has in the past when he comes up behind Isabel on her walk home from the pump?
Chapter 27
17. Why is Madam Lockton so nervous?
18. What news does Becky bring that upsets Madam Lockton causing her to take to her bed, and Isabel unable to eat her breakfast?
19. Why does Becky say she will leave New York?
20. Who is Isabel pleased to see moving around at the end of the chapter?
21. Why is her relief to see this person moving around significant?
Chapter 28
22. What has finally arrived in New York?
23. On what errand does Madam send Isabel after dinner?
24. Why is Isabel shocked by and reluctant to follow Madam’s orders?
25. What does Isabel decide to do and why?
Chapter 29
26. What internal conflict rages within Isabel at the opening of the chapter?
27. Who does Isabel approach in order to offer her services in return for British support?
28. What is his reaction to her offer?
29. How does Isabel demonstrate that she can be useful to the British forces?
30. Why does Captain Campbell hesitate to allow Isabel into the camp, despite her usefulness?
31. Does Captain Campbell allow Isabel to join his cause in exchange for her help?
32. What is the deciding factor?
33. What familiar individual emerges from the boat?
34. What is his reaction to Isabel’s presence?
35. How does Captain Campbell respond to Isabel’s statement to Master Lockton?
Chapter 30
36. Who begins living in the Lockton home, as well as many of the homes in New York?
37. Why has Lady Seymour requested that Isabel be sent to her home?
38. How do the Lockton’s respond to the request?
39. Compare and contrast Isabel’s working and living conditions in the Seymour household with her living and working conditions at the Lockton’s house.
40. To what does Isabel awaken at the close of chapter 30?