Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Chains. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Isabel, an enslaved girl in New York during the American Revolution, breaks her friend Curzon out of a British prison, where he is sick with fever. Using a pass she forged herself, she rows them across the river to New Jersey, determined to find her younger sister Ruth.
Quick facts
– Book: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
– First published: 2008
– Type: A middle-grade historical novel
– Tone of the ending: Hopeful and defiant
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Isabel and Ruth were promised freedom in their late owner's will, but her heir sells them to the Locktons, wealthy Loyalists in New York. Madam Lockton is cruel, and Ruth, who has seizures, is taken away. Isabel meets Curzon, an enslaved boy who works for a Patriot, and she spies on the Locktons for the Patriots, hoping they will help her. But neither side keeps its promises to enslaved people.
What Happens at the End of Chains
When Isabel tries to get help, Madam Lockton has her branded on the cheek with an “I” for insolence. Isabel learns that Ruth has been sold away, and she loses hope in both armies. Curzon, captured fighting for the Patriots, is starving in a British prison. Isabel, who has been secretly learning to write, forges a pass, sneaks Curzon out of the prison and rows a small boat across the river at night. On the far shore, she declares herself free and sets out to find Ruth.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Isabel frees herself rather than waiting for others.
- She saves Curzon.
- Ruth's fate is still unknown.
- The sequel continues the search.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Isabel Finch | Escapes to New Jersey |
| Curzon | Freed from prison |
| Ruth | Sold away |
| Madam Lockton | Isabel's cruel owner |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that freedom had to be taken, since the Revolution's promises of liberty did not include enslaved people.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers often notice the irony of a war fought for freedom by people who held others in slavery. The quotes from real documents at the start of each chapter make that point sharply.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Freedom. Isabel claims her own freedom.
Courage. Isabel risks everything for Curzon.
Revolution. Both sides betray enslaved people.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Chains as hopeful and defiant. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Laurie Halse Anderson to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are hopeful and defiant will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Laurie Halse Anderson closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Chains with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about freedom, and do you agree with Laurie Halse Anderson's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as hopeful and defiant, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces freedom and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Laurie Halse Anderson leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Chains often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Chains earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Chains on Amazon
Books to Read After Chains
- Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Related: Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson: Summary and Key Takeaways · What Age Is Chains Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Chains?
Isabel, an enslaved girl in New York during the American Revolution, breaks her friend Curzon out of a British prison, where he is sick with fever. Using a pass she forged herself, she rows them across the river to New Jersey, determined to find her younger sister Ruth.
Is the ending of Chains happy or sad?
Most readers call it hopeful and defiant.
What does the ending of Chains mean?
The ending shows that freedom had to be taken, since the Revolution's promises of liberty did not include enslaved people.
Who wrote Chains and when was it published?
Chains was written by Laurie Halse Anderson and first published in 2008.
Is Chains worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy middle-grade historical novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Laurie Halse Anderson prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Chains before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.