REVISED Chains (#1) by Laurie Halse Anderson

Chains (the first half)

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Essay based off the question: What really hard things are happening in this text? Are these things happening in the world now? Where?

In my life today, I am always complaining about the “hardships” in my life: my homework, my little sister, my parents, and even walking to school in the rain. I always regret complaining about it later because I know my life could be much worse. In the book, Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, the main character Isabel faces many actual hardships. She deals with being a slave, and everything that comes with that, during the time where the Revolutionary War is about to take place. These issues are also seen in the world today as well.

Isabel and her little sister, Ruth, are both slaves who had just been sold against their wills to two new masters who live in New York. Isabel is trying to find a way to bring Ruth and herself back to their rightful home in Rhode Island, so that they can live out their days in freedom. Isabel struggles to hold her tongue in front of her masters because she knows that it is her right to be free. For instance, when Isabel is upset that Madam Lockton I treating Ruth poorly, she thinks, “I took another breath, slower than the first, and tried not to think about the freshly sharpened knives on the kitchen steps” (Anderson 56). This shows that Isabel has to hide her true feelings about Madam Lockton. She has to worry about watching her tone and what she says around her masters. This is a hard task for her because she knows that it is her right to not be a slave anymore, so she does not deserve to be treated like one. This problem can be related into the world today. Everyday I see people losing their temper, whether it’s on the phone with their coworker, or in an argument with their friends. Learning not to start a fight by holding your tongue is a hard thing to do, and Isabel manages to do it.

During the time period of the book Chains, the Revolutionary War is becoming more of a realistic concept then just an idea. Isabel hopes to assist the rebels to earn her way out of New York and back to Rhode Island. Little does she know that she is helping the Revolutionary War start. For example, Isabel eavesdrops on her master’s conversations, and takes the information to her rebel friend. Isabel says:

I dashed towards him, keeping to the edge of the tavern candlelight. ‘I have news.’

            ‘Of Lockton?’ [Her rebel friend, Curzon, said]

‘And more.’ I quickly told him everything I had seen and heard… ‘Will this be enough to send us home?’

            This proves that Isabel will do anything she can to get herself out of New York. Isabel starts spreading news of war which effects more then just herself. This can be related to the world today because this situation reminds me of gossip. Gossip is a huge issue today, especially within schools and on online websites. Gossip usually starts from a rumor, and if that rumor is posted online it can be spread around the world.

            Isabel is a strong girl for being able to deal with all of her hardships like holding her tongue and delivering dangerous news to get herself out of New York. Even though I have not finished the book, I know that Isabel was very brave and would stop at nothing to get what she wants. My “hardships” don’t even compare to what Isabel had to do.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (#2)

Grace Bugler 809

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Based on the question: How does this text address the points of view (perspectives) of other groups, especially those who usually don’t get to tell their side?

In arguments, especially with my parents, I find that I normally don’t get to tell my side of the story. In the book Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, most of the characters don’t get to tell their side either. They often do things such as random beatings or errands without reason.

            The most important perspective of the book is Isabel’s perspective. Isabel represents the difficult part of the story because she is a slave and is forced to do all of the hard work. For example, when Madam Lockton (Isabel’s master) wants the rooms cleaned she asks Isabel to all of the work:

The work of the day was simple and heavy: strip the bed, haul down the linens for to wash, clean out the hearth, open the windows and wash them inside and out, take the rugs down and beat them in the yard, sweep and mop the floor, take the rugs back in, close the windows, and give all the wood a polish. (Anderson 267)

This shows how Isabel is forced to do all of the heavy lifting. Most people associate that house slaves are treated much nicer then farming slaves. This might be true on some levels, however Isabel proves that her master does not treat her kindly. Isabel is only 13 years old and is treated like she is an adult slave. She shows the challenging life of being a slave in 1776.

            Another important perspective is Madam Lockton’s. She does not get to tell her side of the story, but she makes the reader think that she is mean and does hurtful things. If she narrated the book then the reader might find out why she is always so rude to Isabel. Her character represents the most desired part of the story. Madam Lockton is filthy rich, which leads her to think that she can do or say whatever she wants. For example, Madam Lockton decided to sell Isabel’s five-year-old sister without telling Isabel. Becky, a fellow slave tells Isabel, “‘The sweet milk Madam made up? I figure it contained a sleep potion, knocked you out cold so they could spirit her away. I am dreadful, powerful sorry, but they sold her away from you’” (Anderson 133). This proves that Madam Lockton is an unkind person who thinks she can do what she wants because she is rich, in this book nobody argues with rich people, for fear that they will hurt them. Therefore Madam uses this power to control people, including Isabel.

            The last important perspective is Lady Seymour’s. She also does not get to tell her side of the story, but it is not as important for her to narrate the book. The reader can guess that she is a kind-hearted woman from Isabel’s point of view of her. Lady Seymour represents both the most desired part of the story, and also the kindest part of the story. She is an old, rich woman, who is very wise. While most people in the book are rude to Isabel, Lady Seymour is kind to her by not yelling at her and letting her sneak away to see the prisoners. The most important kind thing she did was let Isabel take some coins from her and use them to escape from Madam Lockton. She is one of the only characters that is nice to Isabel. For example, Lady Seymour bought a warm coat and skirt for Isabel even though Isabel could not pay for them. “…included a heavy skirt and thick woolen cloak for me in the order. I protested I could not pay for the clothes… ‘We’ll not discuss payment again,’ she said slowly.” This shows how Lady Seymour was more then kind to Isabel because she gave her a new coat and skirt for free, which helped Isabel stay warm in the cold winter months. Lady Seymour showed Isabel kindness until her dying day.

            Isabel, Madam Lockton, and Lady Seymour all are very important characters in Chains. Even though only Isabel got to narrate the story, all of the characters seemed to have told their side through their actions.  

Chains (#1) By Laurie Halse Anderson

Chains

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Essay based off the question: What really hard things are happening in this text? Are these things happening in the world now? Where?

In my life today, I am always complaining about the “hardships” in my life: my homework, my little sister, my parents, and even walking to school in the rain. I always regret complaining about it later because I know my life could be much worse. In the book, Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, the main character Isabel faces many actual hardships. She deals with being a slave, and everything that comes with that, during the time where the Revolutionary War is about to take place. These issues are also seen in the world today as well.

Isabel and her little sister, Ruth, are both slaves who had just been sold against their wills to two new masters who live in New York. Isabel is trying to find a way to bring Ruth and herself back to their rightful home in Rhode Island, so that they can live out their days in freedom. Isabel struggles to hold her tongue in front of her masters because she knows that it is her right to be free. For instance, when Isabel is upset that Madam Lockton I treating Ruth poorly, she thinks, “I took another breath, slower than the first, and tried not to think about the freshly sharpened knives on the kitchen steps” (Anderson 56). This shows that Isabel has to hide her true feelings about Madam Lockton. She has to worry about watching her tone and what she says around her masters. This is a hard task for her because she knows that it is her right to not be a slave anymore, so she does not deserve to be treated like one. This problem can be related into the world today. I know that I sometimes struggle to control what I say in front of someone I don’t like. People around the world sometimes lose their temper all the time, and it can affect everyone and everything around them.

During the time period of the book Chains, the Revolutionary War is becoming more of a realistic concept then just an idea. Isabel hopes to assist the rebels to earn her way out of New York and back to Rhode Island. Little does she know that she is helping the Revolutionary War start. For example, Isabel eavesdrops on her master’s conversations, and takes the information to her rebel friend. Isabel says:

I dashed towards him, keeping to the edge of the tavern candlelight. ‘I have news.’

            ‘Of Lockton?’ [Her rebel friend, Curzon, said]

‘And more.’ I quickly told him everything I had seen and heard… ‘Will this be enough to send us home?’

            This proves that Isabel is trying the best that she can to get herself and Ruth out of New York. Isabel is very brave to be putting her life at risk to deliver the news of her master. This can be related to the world today because this situation reminds me of gossip. Gossip is a huge issue today, especially within schools and on online websites. Gossip usually starts from a rumor, and if that rumor is posted online it can be spread around the world. This is a huge issue that doesn’t really have a solution.

            Isabel is a strong girl for being able to deal with helping her sister and herself deal with being a slave to cruel masters during the time before the Revolutionary War. Even though I have not finished the book, I know that Isabel had to deal with really hard things, like giving up all of her possessions and having to move away from her hometown. My “hardships” don’t even compare to what Isabel had to do.

Argument Essay Draft #2

Grace Bugler 809

Argument Essay Draft #2

Banned Book: Looking for Alaska by John Green

When I was little, I used to cover my face when the characters kissed in movies. I would never want to see it because I thought it was gross. In the book, Looking For Alaska by John Green, I found myself wanting to turn away from certain scenes like I did when I was younger. This book should be banned from middle school libraries because it may influence the reader to do bad things, it may make the reader uncomfortable, and it conveys a dark message that might upset some readers.

            In Looking for Alaska there are scenes that may influence some vulnerable readers to start or continue doing bad things. Some bad things the characters take part in are smoking, drinking, pulling pranks, having sex, reckless driving, considering suicide, and more. For example, when Alaska, Pudge (Miles), The Colonel (Chip), and Takumi are all smoking cigarettes by the lake where no one can see them, Pudge asks why Alaska smokes so fast. She responds with: “Y’all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die.” (Green 45) When Alaska, one of the main characters, says this, it shows how she has dark issues. She is thinking about dying and possibly suicide. This might make readers think that dying is an easy way out of pain and suffering, and that it’s okay to kill yourself. On the other hand, some people might say that Alaska has had a really rough childhood and that this might be her way of joking around. However, suicide is nothing to joke around about. When Alaska says this in such a light tone it makes suicide seem desirable. This sort of tone has an effect on readers. For instance, in an article a young girl claims that she would start cutting herself after reading a book about cutting. The girl exclaimed: “ ‘I’d finish reading and immediately reached for my blade.’ ” (Carey 2) This shows that books can affect readers. A vulnerable reader might read this scene in LFA and might consider suicide since Alaska was. Authors need to be careful how they express these statements.

            In Looking For Alaska, there is a lot of graphic content that may make readers uncomfortable. For example, when Pudge and his girlfriend Lara are in a room together alone, she asks: “Just as the Bradys were getting locked in jail, Lara randomly asked me, ‘Have you ever gotten a blow job?’… And then with me sitting watching The Brady Bunch, watching Marcia Marcia Marcia up to her Brady antics, Lara unbuttoned my pants and pulled down my boxers a little and pulled out my penis” (Green 126-127). This scene made me want to put the book down and walk away. I got the same feeling I had when I was little. I just didn’t want to read or hear about it anymore because it made me feel really uncomfortable. This might make other readers, especially middle school readers, feel grossed out. There are other scenes in the book as well. On pages 87-88 the characters watch a porn movie, describing in detail what the characters in the movie are doing, and on pages 130-131 the characters have more sex while they were drunk. Some people might argue that it is only 3 brief scenes, but they are very graphic and are not appropriate for 10-13 year-olds.  

            In the book there is a dark message that may upset some readers who are trying to find a way to deal with a tragedy like death. I think that the message is to never take anything for granted. This message can be supported by the fact that the Colonel took his girlfriend, Sara, for granted and then she left him. Also, the most obvious reason is that the Colonel and Pudge and the rest of the camp all took Alaska for granted, and then she died. For example, “I cannot stop thinking that she is dead, I cannot stop thinking that she cannot possibly be dead. People do not just die.” (Green, 142) This shows how upset Pudge is and that he is in a state of shock. I know how Pudge feels; I have been through it before. It reminded me of my loss and it was a little hard to read. Once I finished the book and looked back on the message, it made me feel really sad. For 10-13 year-olds I think the message is too strong. It might put some certain readers into a depression. The opposing side might say that it is a lesson that will be learned in life anyway. This statement is true, however children between the ages of 10-13 are very vulnerable and may become depressed.

            Looking for Alaska is not very appropriate for middle school readers. I know that it made me feel really uncomfortable and I didn’t want to continue reading certain scenes. Overall, it is a good book with interesting characters; I just don’t think that middle school kids should be reading this particular book. 

Monday Muses Writing Prompts

Monday Muses Writing Prompts

I recently went on a bike ride with my family. I wasn’t feeling so well, but I thought it would be good to get out of the house for a while. So I threw on a sweater and my sister, my mom, my dad, and I all headed out the door on our bikes. We rode down to Pier 6.

The weather was beautiful. The sun shined down and was a light breeze. People crowded the park, pushing strollers and riding bikes. As we rode deeper into the park, something caught my eye. There was this huge area of grass in the center. It was full of kids running around and parents chatting on the grass. Some had brought snacks. I could see little goldfish scattered around.

There was one scene that I found very inspiring. There was a father and his daughter sitting on the grass, their heads tipped up to the sky. The girl pointed at a cloud and her father looked up to admire it. He was leaning against their stroller, both their feet outstretched. They were eating lunch on a makeshift table- a skateboard flipped upside down. The little girl reached for her sandwich and her father placed a napkin on her lap.

I must have stared at them for a while, because my family had already taken off down the road. I hopped back on my bike and peddled after them. The father and daughter were seared into my brain for the rest of the day. I don’t exactly know why it appealed to me so much besides the fact that it was extremely cute. They inspired me because after I left them, I felt happier and much better. I didn’t feel so sick anymore. They may have just been two strangers eating lunch, but they made me feel full of joy.