Skip to main content

In Chains, what is the discussion at the Tea Water Pump?

In chapter five, Isabel is sent to the Tea Water Pump to get "special" water for the Locktons.  She doesn't know how to get there, so Curzon volunteers to show Isabel the way. 


Chapter six then begins with Curzon leading Isabel to the Tea Water Pump.  Curzon moves very quickly, and Isabel can barely keep up.  Curzon eventually slows down once he realizes that Isabel is struggling to stay with him.  Curzon explains that the...

In chapter five, Isabel is sent to the Tea Water Pump to get "special" water for the Locktons.  She doesn't know how to get there, so Curzon volunteers to show Isabel the way. 


Chapter six then begins with Curzon leading Isabel to the Tea Water Pump.  Curzon moves very quickly, and Isabel can barely keep up.  Curzon eventually slows down once he realizes that Isabel is struggling to stay with him.  Curzon explains that the Tea Water Pump is where all of the rich people get their water from, because it supposedly tastes better.  He also explains that he must pick up a package along the way.


He picks up the package and some rolls for Isabel to eat.  She is deeply grateful.  While Isabel eats, Curzon asks her if Ruth is Isabel's sister.  Isabel confirms that fact, and Curzon then understands why Isabel willingly took the slap from Madam Lockton even though Ruth was guilty.  


Curzon sees that Isabel doesn't have a deep loyalty to Madam Lockton, so he asks Isabel if she would be willing to spy on the Locktons.  The Locktons are Loyalists.  Curzon and his master are Patriots.  Curzon would like Isabel to report to him anything that might be of interest to the Patriots about what she sees and hears in the Lockton household.  He also tells Isabel that she can earn her freedom back by being a spy. 



"Keep your voice down. You just have to listen and alert me if you hear anything important.  You won't be in any danger." 



Isabel doesn't believe that the Locktons would say anything in front of her anyway.  Curzon replies that the Locktons don't consider Isabel a person, so they won't guard their talk at all.  Isabel briefly considers Curzon's proposal and logic, but she turns him down at the close of the chapter. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more