Theme of Friendship in Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

823 Words2 Pages

On July 20, 1958, a doctor by the name of Artemio Bracho contemplated the idea of a World Friendship Day. The World Friendship is a foundation that honors friendship and fellowship among all human beings, regardless of race, color or religion. This day has been recognized in several countries and is used today. Friendship is established on loyalty and being there for your friend in their time of need. In Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, the protagonist, Isabel, created several relationships with other characters that were constructed on loyalty.
Lady Seymour and Isabel’s relationship is assembled on both of them being there for each other. An example of loyalty in their friendship is when Isabel saves Lady Seymour from dying when her house is on fire. She awakes realizing the mansion is up in flames. Isabel pulls Lady Seymour along with her, risking her own life, “I dropped the boxes and doll, draped her arm around me, and half fell down the rest of the stairs. Once on the ground floor, she tried to walk, but one of her legs was failing her. I opened the front door and dragged the two of us out to the street.” (193). Isabel takes two relics, that are important to Lady Seymour with her. She takes a painting of a yellow-haired man, Lady Seymour’s husband, and some coins. This is loyal because Isabel could have easily let Lady Seymour die while she decamped the fire. Instead, she drags weak Lady Seymour out of the fire. Isabel holds the valuables because she knows they are important to Lady Seymour and does not want to let her down. To compensate for what Isabel did for her, Lady Seymour gives Isabel money to escape with Curzon. “‘I’ll put the money back,’ I said. ‘Forgive me.’ She shook her head from side to side, her mouth movi...

... middle of paper ...

...shed him down the hall and into the guardhouse, I covered Curzon with the filthy blanket I’d stolen from the cell. You’re dead. I hissed to him. No noise.” (294-295) Isabel was loyal to Curzon because he was a couple days away from dying and would have perished if he were to stay another day. She was devoted and relentless to him. Isabel would not leave without helping Curzon. This is loyal because she could have allowed him to die, but she did not want to leave Curzon after all he’s done for her.
Friendship is an unbreakable bond between two people and contains loyalty and love. In the story Chains, Isabel finds herself in grand friendships that play throughout the story. She showed how devoted she was towards Lady Lockton, Curzon, and Ruth by being there for them during tough times. In the end, friendship is the light through the darkness, powerful and important.

Open Document