Device	Example / Evidence	Effect / Purpose
First-Person Narrative	Isabel narrates: “I am not free, though my paper says I am.”	Creates intimacy, allowing readers to experience her thoughts, fears, and courage directly.
Imagery / Sensory Language	“The city smells of smoke, horse dung, and tar.”	Evokes vivid sense of place, immersing readers in 18th-century New York City.
Metaphor	“The chains I wear are heavier than iron.”	Conveys the emotional and psychological weight of slavery beyond the physical restraints.
Simile	“The Loyalists move like shadows in the night.”	Creates tension and a sense of danger, showing Isabel’s careful observation.
Symbolism	Chains symbolize both literal slavery and lack of freedom; New York represents a world of divided loyalties.	Adds depth to Isabel’s struggle, emphasizing themes of oppression and agency.
Foreshadowing	Early warnings of the Locktons’ cruelty hint at future dangers Isabel will face.	Builds suspense and prepares readers for key conflicts.
Tone	Reflective, tense, and at times hopeful: “I must be brave if I am ever to see freedom.”	Sets emotional atmosphere, showing Isabel’s inner growth and resilience.
Repetition	“I will not be broken. I will not be broken.”	Emphasizes determination, perseverance, and psychological strength.
Alliteration / Assonance	“Smoke spirals silently above the street.”	Creates musicality and rhythm, enhancing the reading experience and mood.
Dialogue	Conversations between Isabel and other characters reveal social hierarchies and historical context.	Provides realism, develops character relationships, and advances the plot.

Laurie Halse Anderson’s Chains uses a range of literary devices to bring Isabel’s story to life, immersing readers in her struggles, fears, and growth during the American Revolutionary War. One of the most prominent devices is the first-person narrative. By telling the story through Isabel’s eyes, Anderson creates intimacy and immediacy. For example, Isabel reflects, “I am not free, though my paper says I am.” This allows readers to experience her thoughts and emotions firsthand, highlighting the tension between the legal definition of freedom and the reality of her enslavement.

Imagery and sensory language are used throughout the novel to vividly depict the setting and mood. Isabel describes New York City, “The city smells of smoke, horse dung, and tar.” Such details immerse readers in the physical world of 18th-century urban life, helping them understand the harsh and often unpleasant realities Isabel faces daily. These sensory cues enhance the authenticity of the historical setting and make the story more engaging.

Anderson frequently employs figurative language, including metaphors and similes, to convey deeper emotional truths. Isabel notes, “The chains I wear are heavier than iron,” a metaphor that expresses the psychological weight of slavery in addition to its physical constraints. Similarly, she observes, “The Loyalists move like shadows in the night,” a simile that evokes a sense of danger and suspense, showing her careful attention to the people and forces around her.

Symbolism is another key device. The literal chains Isabel wears symbolize the larger lack of freedom and autonomy in her life, while the divided city of New York represents the conflicting loyalties and dangers of the Revolutionary War. These symbols deepen the reader’s understanding of Isabel’s struggles and her journey toward agency and self-determination.

Anderson also uses foreshadowing to build suspense. Early moments hint at the Locktons’ cruelty and the dangers Isabel will face, preparing readers for the conflicts and challenges ahead. This keeps the narrative tense and engaging. The tone of the novel shifts between reflective, tense, and hopeful, as seen when Isabel declares, “I must be brave if I am ever to see freedom.” This tone conveys her inner resilience and courage, helping readers connect emotionally with her journey.

The author’s use of repetition reinforces Isabel’s determination and psychological strength. Lines such as “I will not be broken. I will not be broken” emphasize her perseverance and refusal to succumb to oppression. Anderson also employs alliteration and assonance, for example, “Smoke spirals silently above the street,” which adds musicality and rhythm to the narrative, enhancing its literary quality and making key moments more memorable.

Finally, dialogue is used effectively to reveal social hierarchies, character relationships, and historical context. Isabel’s conversations with her masters, fellow enslaved people, and allies provide insight into the political and personal tensions of the time, advancing both plot and character development.

In conclusion, Chains is a rich tapestry of literary devices that bring Isabel’s story to life. Through first-person narration, imagery, figurative language, symbolism, foreshadowing, tone, repetition, sound devices, and dialogue, Laurie Halse Anderson creates a vivid, emotionally engaging, and historically grounded narrative. These devices not only enhance the reader’s experience but also deepen the understanding of Isabel’s struggles, resilience, and journey toward freedom.