Historical Fiction
One of the most interesting things about Chains is that it lets us see a side of the American Revolution that's often overlooked: the perspectives of slaves caught in the middle of the Loyalist/Patriot conflict. Let's face it: The hypocrisy of a slave-owning nation fighting for independence isn't exactly a bright spot in American history. Still, it's this rarely explored perspective that makes Chains fascinating.
As Becky explains to Isabel, "Them that feeds us […] they're Loyalists, Tories. That means we're Tories, too" (7.46). Back then, enslaved people were expected to hold the political views of the people who owned them, regardless of their own feelings. In spite of this, though, people still tried to use influence to sway the slaves to one side or another.
As Grandfather describes at one of Isabel's encounters at the Tea Water Pump, the British Lord Dunmore even promised freedom to any slave who would join the Loyalist cause. Isabel gives a voice to the slaves of the Revolution by demonstrating the confusing—and very high stakes—position of desiring freedom for herself, while attempting to figure out where she stands as current events unfold.