Chains
March 10, 2015
Statistics
- Career started as a freelance journalist
- Writes Childrens and young adult books
- Won the Margaret Edwards Award in 2009
- Has written over 30 books
- Was published October 1, 2008
- Historical fiction
Quotes
This is a very powerful quote. It talks about how earthly chains can hold her down but her soul if free from any chains. She is saying there is a bigger picture because although physically she is trapped she believes there is something bigger than physical being.
“Momma said that ghosts couldn't move over water. That's why Africans got trapped in the Americas.. They kept moving us over the water, stealing us away from our ghosts and ancestors, who cried salty rivers into the sand. That's where Momma was now, wailing at the water's edge, while her girls were pulled out of sight under white sails that cracked in the wind.”
The quote above shows the slave way of thinking and the culture that was brought with them from Africa. Many Africans were superspicous and had many old ways and explanations for things. This quote shows how that culture and belief was brought over with them.
"Some folks switch back and forth. One day they're for the King, the next, it's all 'liberty and freedom, huzzah!' A tribe of Mr. Facing-Both-Ways, that's what you'll find in New York"
This quote talks about how in New York everybody was back and forth and had no true loyalty. In this quote it means that no one had true loyalty to either side of the war, whoever seemed like they had better odds that day was followed until the other side began doing better
Main Conflict
Historical Referance
- Based on 1700's America
- Slaves often went through situations like her story
- Were often mistreated or lied too