Describe the character Isabel's personality and traits from Laurie Halse Anderson's Chains.

An early
indication of 13-year-old Isabels personality and temperament is evident following the funeral
service for the young slaves former owner, Miss Mary Finch, who had granted Isabel and her
younger sister Ruth their freedom upon her demise.  Isabel inquires of the presiding minister,
Pastor Weeks, regarding potential destinations for these children.  Mr. Robert, the late Miss
Finchs sole surviving relative, has, unbeknownst to Isabel, arranged for the girls continued
captivity.  Protesting Mr. Roberts claim that the girls remained slaves despite Miss Finchs
wishes, Isabel, the storys narrator and main , describes her reaction as follows:

I planted my feet firmly in the dirt and fought to keep my voice
polite and proper.  €˜I saw the will, sir.  After the lawyer wrote it, Miss Finch had me read it
out loud on account of her eyes being bad.

With this
defiance, Isabel demonstrates both the strength of her will and her ability to read, a serious
transgression on the part of a slave and whomsoever would teach a slave to read.  Isabel, of
course, loses her appeal to Pastor Weeks, and remains a slave, this time to a vicious couple
that abuses the girls.  The news that the girls will be sold again into slavery is a terrible
shock to Isabel, whose concern for her mentally handicapped little sister tears at her soul. 
What if we were split up?  Who would take care of her? she wonders. 

Isabel
has been forced to grow up fast, the physical and mental burdens of being a slave compounded by
her commitment to Ruths welfare.  She loves her sister deeply, and is repeatedly described
throughout the story as dedicated to keeping the two together (I took Ruth by the hand . . .;
I put m arm around Ruth), convinced that physical contact with her baby sister will help
ensure they remained together.  She is also intelligent enough, however, to know that her love
and devotion for Ruth is insufficient to ensure they stay together.  Consequently, she is
compelled to try and convince new owner Ann Lockton of Ruths functionality:

Shes a good simple, maam.  Does what shes told.  In truth, shes a
harder worker than me.  Give her a broom and tell her to sweep, and youll be able to eat off
your floor.

Isabels main traits, then, are her devotion
to her family and her willingness to work hard to achieve her objectives, noting that, in the
hopes that the owners of a tavern (Jenny) will outbid the Locktons for her and Ruth, such an
arrangement will allow her the opportunity to search for Miss Finchs missing will and the lawyer
who handled Miss Finchs estate:

When we found Miss Marys
will, Id work extra to pay Jenny back the money we cost her, fair and square.  Ruth and me would
stay together, and wed stay here, close to momma.

Andersons main character is an extraordinary individual thrust into horrific
circumstances.  She is strong-willed, loyal and caring.