Essay Questions

Which characters of the novel were real people?

General Washington, though he does not personally act in the events of the novel, is mentioned in the context and is a historical figure. Another real character is David Matthews, the New York mayor, who was involved in the attempt to kill George Washington. And Thomas Hickey, who was actually the British spy, is another true historical person. He was hanged for his participation is the conspiracy of murdering General Washington. All the other characters are fictional, including Isabel, Ruth, Curzon, and others.

What contradictions about the War of Independence does Isabel face?

Isabel’s life unfolds against the background of the American Revolution, which was the contemporary society’s attempt to gain independence from Britain, have their own government, and control their taxes. Millions of rebels raised their heads in the direction of liberty, but their performance of what that liberty would be was rather contradictory in its essence as it did not promise liberty for all the people, and slaves would remain slaves. Isabel lived in that world, that’s why she did not support the rebels; she sympathized with them, but did not want to take part in “their fight”. On the background of such reality, Isabel decided to take her life into her hands and dared to run away.

How many times is Isabel promised freedom?

The novel begins with the death of Isabel’s beloved mistress, who had promised her and her sister Ruth freedom and had written it in her will. But their new master, Mr. Robert Finch, who was the mistress’s relative, declares that there was no note of the girls’ freedom in the old lady’s will. So, Isabel faces outrageous lie. In New York Isabel is promised freedom by the general of the American army, who wanted Isabel to spy for them. Isabel has put her life and the life of her sister in danger sneaking out of the house at night, but the desire to gain freedom was stronger than her fear. This time the promised was not kept as well. The third time Isabel dares to receive her freedom all by herself and runs away. She finally understands that there is no person in this world, who would care for her freedom but herself.