Title: Chains
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Pages Read: 300 (All)
Rating: 7
The book Chains is about two young slave girls whose lives take a drastic change for the worst. Everything they once knew is gone; their mother, their home and even each other. Living during the time of the Revolutionary War was not easy for a slave. What side to choose was a decision that determined the rest of your life. If a slave was caught defying their owners beliefs in the war, they would be reprimanded. Only a few slaves had the courage to do this; Isabel was one of them. She would do anything for the freedom she rightfully deserved.
Throughout this book I wondered how someone could treat someone so badly. How could you see someone as being so below you? That is a question I still do not have an answer to. When I first started reading this book, I didn’t understand the slaves didn’t just run away; now I do. The fear slaves had to cope with must have been overwhelming. The risk you take for your freedom was losing everything, including your life. The book’s title, Chains, is very appropriate because slaves were chained literally and figuratively. When slaves were forced to leave their homes, the chains on their heart connected to the lives they once knew were shattered, scattering into memories of everything they knew and loved. They were now chained to the memories that helped them get through each day.
If I thought I would never see any of my family ever again, I do not think I could find the hope and courage to break away from the person who took my family away from me in the first place. I can’t comprehend what it would fell like to have a sibling taken away from you, just because someone felt they had the right to. My brother is the one who gives me courage and hope in life; and without him I don’t know if I could have rebelled against someone who owned me like Isabel did. I would like to think that I could find the bravery with me, because without family what are we? Nothing.
Leah, I cant imagine either if I could never see my family again. Im glad you have your brother to help you and guide you to make important decisions. That means you have a very strong relationship, make sure your relationship stays gold. This book is definitely going on my "Must Read" list. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways i feel as if i can relate this to the book A Child Called "It". The boy named Dave is treated so badly by his mother. I had the same thoughts run threw my head "how can someone treat a person so badly?". This book seems like a wonderful read. Great post, Leah!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love how you were able to use interpret the title of the book in a literal and figurative way. I read the back of this book a few days ago and it did not seem like something I would like to read but after reading your blog it is definetly on my "must read" list.
ReplyDeleteYeah Glenday! Your blog was amazing. You showed such insight on this book. The relations you made with you and your brother were very cute:). My favorite line you wrote was, "They were now chained to the memories that helped them get through each day." Like Alexandra said, your interpretation of the title both literally and figuratively was great. This book reminds me of the other book you read for the quarter 2 literary cafe. Is there a reason you gravitate towards books about slaves? ALl I can say is you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what those slaves had to go through and by the sounds of it, it seems that their life was in bad conditions. Like everyone else had said, i love that you related the book to your personal life and i can deffinetly relate to this post/book. Although when i was 8 and my little brother wasn't even born yet right before he was, he had died. He came into this world without a life and i wish he was here to this day so that i could have met him. In the end we really do have life good and shouldn't take it for granted. But other than that leah i loved your post and i will have to put this on to my list of books to read.
ReplyDeleteLeah I think that you did a great job putting your opinion into this piece! It sounds like a very interesting book and I will put it on my list to read! I think you did a great job summarizing it, but was wondering if it was a true story?
ReplyDeleteLeah says...
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! :) Maddie, I seem to want to read books about slavery because it helps me understand how people could treat each other that way. I still don't think I could feel that way about another person. And Miki, no I do not believe that it is a true story. I am looking forward to reading the sequal. I recomend this book to all of you!
Out of all the posts I read on this blog, this one caught my attention. I love how you depict different possible meanings of the title that you predicted. I agree with all of them, they make sense and give deeper meaning to the title than what I originally thought. I remember you and Mikaela reading a book about slavery so I agree with Maddie on your continuous interest in books in that subject. But I also liked how you wrote back saying why; because it helps you understand and gain appreciation. I think this takes a lot of maturity and to me, it's impressive. This book sounds very interesting and there's a possibility I'll find time to read it :)
ReplyDelete