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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Isabel do after everyone in the household is asleep?

2. What does Isabel whisper outside the window at Bellingham's home?

3. Who are the Locktons?

4. About what do Lockton's guests speak openly?

5. What does Mr. Lockton order Isabel to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ruth act about the fall she has in the kitchen, and what does Ruth not seem to understand?

2. What is Isabel's assigned role in the Lockton household?

3. What happens when Miss Finch's nephew comes up while Isabel is talking to the Pastor?

4. Why do the soldiers remove the windows in the Lockton house?

5. How does Isabel get into a secretive meeting of the Loyalists, and what how does she conduct herself?

6. About what does Becky warn Isabel?

7. Why has Miss Mary Finch's nephew come to Rhode Island?

8. Why is Isabel terrified when Lockton is released from jail, and why did she need not worry?

9. What does Isabel learn when she is serving a meeting of some of the Loyalists at the Lockton home?

10. Under what condition does Lockton agree to give the Loyalist money, and why does he stipulate that condition?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "Chains", Isabel grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Chains" might be considered a slice of Isabel's "coming of age" story. It might be said that "Chains" is a "bildungsroman" of Isabel. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Isabel as he changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Isabel?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Isabel's growth throughout "Chains", do you think Chains could be considered Isabel's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Chains" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of freedom in "Chains". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with freedom? Why? What are some symbols of freedom? Symbols of slavery? What characters are free? Why are they free?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Chains". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of growing up and personal responsibility in "Chains". How does Isabel grow up? How does she try to get others to help her out of her situation? How does she finally end up taking responsibility for helping herself?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "Chains" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Isabel. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Madam Lockton. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Mr. Lockton. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

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