55 pages • 1 hour read
Adrian McKintyThe Chain
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Mathematical Patterns
In The Chain, mathematical patterns symbolize the supposed predictability of human nature—which The Chain leaders Ginger and Olly prey on. Although mathematical patterns are often reliable, some patterns are more stable than others—with The Chain’s links become more unstable the longer The Chain gets. Olly’s mathematical and computer programming skills lead to the creation of The Chain, but even he knows it won’t withstand exponential growth; likewise, mathematician and former link Erik comes to the same conclusion. This inevitable instability (Rachel, Pete, and Erik’s tracking of Ginger and Olly) leads to The Chain’s end. While parental love sustained the crime ring for years, like mathematical patterns that run their course, some parents reached their breaking point, especially after being denied true peace.
Pseudonyms
Pseudonyms symbolize the complex nature of identity and morality. Characters in The Chain often view themselves differently from how others view them. For example, Rachel (who has two surnames, with “O’Neill” referencing her ex-husband Marty O’Neill) doesn’t understand why someone would pick her as the newest link in The Chain, but she was targeted because she possesses the parental love and resilience necessary to complete her tasks. People such as Kylie’s kidnappers and Rachel, who are typical, law-abiding citizens, become “monsters” in the lives of the children they kidnap—thus complicating The Nature of Monstrosity. Rachel herself uses different pseudonyms at different points, symbolizing how she is not a one-dimensional person, but a hero and villain, victim and survivor.
Pseudonyms also allow characters to hide their identities. Ginger and Olly experience several changes in name, which mirrors their ability to blend into society and appear as noble people. Likewise, their grandfather Daniel (or Red) manages to hide his violent nature. When Rachel meets Ginger, she thinks Marty’s new girlfriend is not even worth her attention, ignorant of her true identity. Overall, appearances are not as they seem in the novel.
Technology and Social Media
Technology and social media are recurring motifs that complicate appearance and reality. Technology is meant to reveal truths and alleviate tasks, but it’s easy to misuse. In The Chain, technology is used to conduct research and learn useful information, make connections, and track people. This demonstrates its capacity for good. However, it is also used to spread lies and make tasks more difficult—literally or morally. Ginger disguises her voice using a machine and constructs Faraday cages to prevent her burner phone calls from being traced; when Rachel uses Facebook to research potential kidnapping victims, she is ridden with guilt. This demonstrates technology’s capacity for evil.
In many horror and thriller novels, technology is removed from the main setting to amplify terror. For example, characters on camping trips often lack cell phone reception. However, in novels like The Chain, authors sometimes embrace technology to explore potential horrors that could persist even with its presence.
