Chains

In her close observation of the household dynamics, Isabel has noticed a rift between Madam and Master Lockton. Back at the dock, they appeared united in their efforts to conceal their allegiances, but in the time since they have returned home, tension has grown between them. Isabel has learned to be quiet and subservient, and she keeps the Lockton home clean and well-fed, but the back-breaking work is no match for the pain of separation from Ruth. Already occupying the despotic position of slave holder, Madam displays even deeper cruelty when she insists on Ruth being her personal maid. To “own” a human for work is one issue, but to keep one as a type of showpiece in the room is a level of barbarity Isabel cannot comprehend.

The enslaver status can entail numerous negative characteristics. Madam, while she exhibits many, especially illustrates a sense of entitlement in how she objectifies those under her control; Ruth is vulnerable not only as a Black female, and not only as a child, but also as a person with a disability, and Madam exploits her condition to pamper herself. Likewise, Madam renames Isabel as Sal Lockton, treating Isabel as a toy and an extension of the Lockton estate. Names carry a special importance and symbolism for enslaved persons; historically, personal identity was stripped from them early in life as most were not even told their birthday, and some young children were separated from their mothers and raised by older female enslaved persons. These children were given the surname of their enslaver and were often referred to as only “boy” or “girl” no matter their age. Isabel’s name is one of the only possessions she keeps when Finch sells her to the Locktons. To surrender her freedom was a harsh blow, but to lose her name is unthinkable.

Isabel’s ritual of sharpening the knives symbolizes her plight as an enslaved person. Slave owners sought to remove all traces of intelligence or humanity from their “property,” seeing them only as workhorses. The work is mindless, and the rote repetition of the sharpening method dulls Isabel’s anger as it sharpens the knife. Isabel conducts such mental gymnastics many times in the narrative to quell her anger and subdue her spirit. Her efforts are successful for physical self-control, but her thoughts roam as she dreams of taking up the newly sharpened knife against the Madam. Her beloved Ruth, too, has been silenced of her innocent murmurings. Madam has taught her to shush all her speech and stand like a statue in the room. Unable to completely understand the cruelty, Ruth weeps without her sister’s caring presence.

Until the men’s meeting in the library, Isabel was indecisive about becoming a spy, but she soon demonstrates a growing courage—a key theme in the novel, and indispensable to pursuing freedom. Compelled only by her love for Ruth and her desire to be free, Isabel catalogs the men’s conversation and valiantly leaves the house at night to deliver the message to Curzon. In her naivete, she assumes this one errand will earn her and Ruth their freedom—but Curzon, though he does not deflate her optimism, only commends her for a job well done and tells her to wait. Her journey to freedom will be more complicated than she imagines, and this first night flight was a test of her will. She will need to summon more courage in the days to come if she is to find liberty amid her subjugation punctuated by the drumbeats of war in the city.