Comments on: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:42:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Maria http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-1294 Maria Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:55:18 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-1294 Thanks Jennifer! I didn't think about the title being symbolic at all. I'm getting Chains today from the library. I can't wait to read it. :] Thanks Jennifer! I didn’t think about the title being symbolic at all.
I’m getting Chains today from the library. I can’t wait to read it. :]

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-1292 Jennifer Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:44:57 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-1292 Maria, I think so - I think the first obvious one is the title of the book. "Chains" are symbolic for the whole history of slavery - they wore actual chains, and they were chained by slavery. Isabel has to free herself of the chains of the color of her skin in order to obtain freedom, both physically and in her mind and spirit. She must overcome the harsh treatment and scorn of others in order to find her way in the world. She must decide to throw off the chains of uncertainty and fear in order to obtain freedom, physically and spiritually. Other symbolism in the book - hmmmmm - maybe Lady Seymour as a symbol of hope? She took care of Isabel when she was sick (after she was tried, branded, and near death in the stocks). I think Isabel's sister Ruth could be symbolized as possibly truth, or determination - I think you could extrapolate a lot of symbolism as you read it through. Plus it's just a great story - and you learn more about the Revolutionary War as it happened in New York City, which isn't a common viewpoint. Go for it! Maria,
I think so – I think the first obvious one is the title of the book. “Chains” are symbolic for the whole history of slavery – they wore actual chains, and they were chained by slavery. Isabel has to free herself of the chains of the color of her skin in order to obtain freedom, both physically and in her mind and spirit. She must overcome the harsh treatment and scorn of others in order to find her way in the world. She must decide to throw off the chains of uncertainty and fear in order to obtain freedom, physically and spiritually. Other symbolism in the book – hmmmmm – maybe Lady Seymour as a symbol of hope? She took care of Isabel when she was sick (after she was tried, branded, and near death in the stocks). I think Isabel’s sister Ruth could be symbolized as possibly truth, or determination – I think you could extrapolate a lot of symbolism as you read it through. Plus it’s just a great story – and you learn more about the Revolutionary War as it happened in New York City, which isn’t a common viewpoint. Go for it!

]]> By: Maria http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-1291 Maria Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:38:37 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-1291 I'm thinking about doing my reading assignment on this book. i can tell that there are some good themes but is there any symbolism? I’m thinking about doing my reading assignment on this book.
i can tell that there are some good themes but is there any symbolism?

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-1151 Jennifer Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:03:02 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-1151 I am a grad student doing an author study on Laurie Halse Anderson, and I have to say, having reading Speak, Twisted, Fever 1793, and Catalyst recently, Chains is her best book to date. I haven't read any of her younger reader books (although "The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School" , coming out summer 2009, sounds like a winner!), but of her YA fiction, Chains is far and away her best writing so far. And this is coming from someone who prefers more realistic fiction! The story is dynamic and heartwrenching - you really feel and understand Isabel and her anguish and then her courage - her chains, though not of steel, were as solid as though they were....it's a fabulous book and I feel a must-read if you are trying to get a sense of the author. I am a grad student doing an author study on Laurie Halse Anderson, and I have to say, having reading Speak, Twisted, Fever 1793, and Catalyst recently, Chains is her best book to date. I haven’t read any of her younger reader books (although “The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School” , coming out summer 2009, sounds like a winner!), but of her YA fiction, Chains is far and away her best writing so far. And this is coming from someone who prefers more realistic fiction! The story is dynamic and heartwrenching – you really feel and understand Isabel and her anguish and then her courage – her chains, though not of steel, were as solid as though they were….it’s a fabulous book and I feel a must-read if you are trying to get a sense of the author.

]]> By: liz http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-1003 liz Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:54:00 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-1003 i agree, Twisted was the greatest book ever. Although, i still have to get around to reading this one. i agree, Twisted was the greatest book ever. Although, i still have to get around to reading this one.

]]> By: Jen Hubert http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-987 Jen Hubert Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:39:05 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-987 Hi Emily, Anderson definitely writes two very different genres well, so it's really just a matter of what you like better. This one is better than FEVER in my opinion, I can see how she has grown as a writer between this one and that one. Hi Emily,

Anderson definitely writes two very different genres well, so it’s really just a matter of what you like better. This one is better than FEVER in my opinion, I can see how she has grown as a writer between this one and that one.

]]> By: Emily http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-986 Emily Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:32:07 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-986 I think that this book sounds good. But I think that TWISTED is and always will be Laurie's best novel. I think that this book sounds good. But I think that TWISTED is and always will be Laurie’s best novel.

]]> By: Jen Hubert http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-953 Jen Hubert Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:48:28 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-953 Sure, Carol, I'd be happy to add your site to the blogroll. Thanks for leaving a comment, I'd also like to hear what you think of it after reading! Sure, Carol, I’d be happy to add your site to the blogroll. Thanks for leaving a comment, I’d also like to hear what you think of it after reading!

]]> By: Carol http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/comment-page-1/#comment-952 Carol Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:14:54 +0000 http://www.readingrants.org/2008/09/15/chains-by-laurie-halse-anderson/#comment-952 Sounds like a great book! Now I really want to read it. I've seen it on Amazon but I wasn't so sure. Can't wait for it to come out. Link exchange? Sounds like a great book! Now I really want to read it. I’ve seen it on Amazon but I wasn’t so sure. Can’t wait for it to come out. Link exchange?

]]>