In the novel Chains, Laurie Halse Anderson illustrates the theme of slavery and the dehumanization that was faced by Negroes living in the time period of the Revolutionary War. Not only was the American Revolution a time of warfare and riots, but it was also a time when resources were extremely limited. Slaves, however, suffered the most treacherous of these conditions, and they experienced everything from heartbreak through the loss of one's family, to extremely poor living conditions during the war. At the very beginning of the novel, the protagonist, Isabel, is freed by her owner, Miss Mary Finch, who sadly dies before the readers meet her. Disregarding his aunt's wishes, Mr. Robert sells Isabel and her sister Ruth to the first person he can find, ignoring the fact that Isabel is a free woman. This is the earliest time the themes of inequality and injustice are exposed in the novel. Later in the novel, Isabel and Ruth are bought by Elihu Lockton, and Madam Lockton, two Loyalists only interested in themselves, money, and their reputations. Madam Lockton, in particular, is disturbingly cruel to Isabel and dresses Ruth up to be her tea-time servant, once again illustrating the theme of dehumanization. …show more content…
When Madam Lockton realizes that Ruth suffers from Epilepsy, she sells her, fearing her "fits" were "the sign of the Devil". In the novel, family is a constant contrast to the darkness of reality in Isabel's life. When her sister is taken away from her, Isabel loses everything she holds