Chain of Gold

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2020

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Part 1, Chapters 5-8

Part 1, Chapters 9-12

Part 2, Chapters 13-16

Part 2, Chapters 17-20

Part 2, Chapter 21-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Symbols & Motifs

Cortana

Within the larger Shadowhunters universe, spanning series, the sword Cortana has been passed down in the Carstairs family for generations, forged by the first Shadowhunter weapon maker, Wayland the Smith (before the Iron Sisters, the Waylands were the weapon-makers of the Shadowhunter world). Cortana, which can cut through any material in the universe, has two edges: a sharp one and a dull one, symbolizing its punishing and merciful aspects. Short and plain, Cortana bears an inscription affiliating its material temper with Joyeuse and Durendal, which are other famous Shadowhunter swords. Thus, Cortana is imbued with legendary power.

In Chain of Gold, Cortana symbolizes Cordelia’s strength and the goodness of her soul. Cordelia and Cortana are sometimes indistinct from each other: For James, the fiery red of Cordelia’s hair and the golden sheen of Cortana represent hope and vitality. When he is drawn out of the underworld by a glow, it is unclear whether the glow was from Cortana or Cordelia herself. James’s dreams of Cordelia often feature her wielding the legendary sword. Cordelia herself loves the sword so much she refers to it as “moosh moosh-am” (429) or “my mousey-mouse” when James brings it back after Cordelia’s fall. When Cordelia performs a sensuous dance before the Downworlders, it is while wielding Cortana. The sword symbolizes Cordelia’s feminine power: it represents that Cordelia is both a strong hero and a sensual woman. The two aspects need not be discrete. It is also important that Cortana chooses Cordelia, a girl, as its wielder, rather than Alastair, the family’s male heir. Cortana’s choice upends the gender norms of the Edwardian setting.

Persian

Persian words, expressions, and stories are referenced throughout the text, particularly when characters want to be frank or intimate. Cordelia’s nickname at home, used most often by Sona and occasionally by Alastair and James, is Layla, after the tragic heroine of the legendary Persian romance of Layla and Majnun. When Cordelia wants to express her deep love for James, she thinks in Persian, using terms like “Noore cheshmam” or “the light of my eyes” (430). She considers English endearments “limited and bland in comparison” (430). Later, as the ice between Alastair and Cordelia thaws, Cordelia calls him “dadash” or “brother,” and in a tender moment, Cordelia refers to Cortana as “moosh,” or “mouse.” Thus, for Cordelia, Persian signifies her mother tongue, the language of her innermost thoughts and feelings, and her love for the language represents her pride in her heritage. The idea of Persian as the language of love shows that every language has its strengths and its unique system of meaning. Further, Persian symbolizes love, intimacy, and romance.

Significantly, the Pyxis box in Gast’s house is inscribed with Old Persian, a language Sona taught Alastair and Cordelia as children—so Cordelia deduces that the demon trapped inside is a Mandikhor. Therefore, Cordelia’s knowledge of Persian is key in resolving the central crisis of the plot. This highlights that every language in the world is the gateway to an episteme, a complete knowledge system. Such new knowledge would greatly benefit the London Shadowhunters.

Runes

In the Shadowhunter universe, runes are markings that the Angel Raziel gave to the first generation of Shadowhunters to help them fight demons. Only Nephilim can bear runes; the skin of ordinary humans burns if marked with runes. The first rune a Shadowhunter receives is the Voyance rune, which enables them to see the shadow realm where supernatural beings live. As the Shadowhunters receive training, they are inscribed with various marks denoting different abilities. The parabatai rune symbolizes the bond of a warrior pair. Runes that parabatai draw on each other are more powerful since they derive power from both warriors. Healing runes are thus best drawn by parabatai, as in the case of James and Matthew.

In Chain of Gold, runes symbolize knowledge, ability, and kinship. Because Grace has only received her Voyance rune, she has been denied crucial knowledge and ability by Tatiana, making her weak in battle. When Grace asks James to elope with her and join the world of mundanes, where their marks will be stripped, James recoils at the idea, going “cold all over. Having your marks stripped was the most severe punishment a Shadowhunter could endure” (255). The removal of runes is not only excruciating, but it also constitutes a psychic wound, with the Shadowhunter forever excommunicated. Here, runes represent the power of community. By asking James to be stripped of runes, Grace asks him to betray his deepest loyalties. The communal markings echo many real-world symbols of community, such as coming-of-age tattoos and markings inscribed in some cultures.