Previous
Timbs
When Bri receives her dad's chain for Christmas, she learns that it was the first thing Lawless purchased when he got paid for his music. She sees it as a symbol of her dad himself, and her desire to wear the chain at all times speaks to Bri's sense of feeling deeply connected to Lawless and his story. Weeks later, however, the chain begins to take on a more sinister connotation. When the Crown holds Bri at gunpoint and steals the chain, Bri begins to understand the dangerous situation Lawless was in—an understanding that guides Bri toward beginning to develop her own identity, separate from her dad's. Though not getting the chain back is tragic both for sentimental and financial reasons, Bri also recognizes that losing it is the thing that impresses upon her the importance of striking out on her own and making the music she wants to make, rather than filling a role set out for her by others—which, she ultimately learns, is what her dad did, and which led to his death.
Lawless's Chain Quotes in On the Come Up
The On the Come Up quotes below all refer to the symbol of Lawless's Chain. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 14
Quotes
"I don't want you to grow up too fast, baby," Jay says. "I did, and it's not something I can ever get back. I want you to enjoy your childhood as much as possible."
"I'd rather grow up than be homeless."
"Hate that you even have to think like that," she murmurs.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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Lawless's Chain Symbol Timeline in On the Come Up
The timeline below shows where the symbol Lawless's Chain appears in On the Come Up. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 13
...them is sloppy, like hers. At the bottom of the box, Bri finds a gold chain in the shape of a crown, with "Law" written in diamonds underneath. Jay says it's...
(full context)
Jay starts making dinner while Bri admires the chain. Aunt Pooh and Lena arrive, and when Bri asks where Pooh has been, Lena tells...
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Chapter 14
...and have to grow up too fast than end up homeless. She stares at the chain and suggests they pawn it, but Jay shoots this down too.
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At school, Bri leaps up the steps to meet Sonny. He comments on the chain and asks about Malik. Bri hasn't spoken to Malik since lunch at Sal's, but she's...
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Chapter 15
Scrap notices Bri's chain, but Pooh nastily reminds Bri that she shouldn't be wearing it. Bri assures Pooh that...
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Chapter 20
...She agrees to go, but she's silent as they walk, and she focuses on her chain.
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Chapter 21
...Malik. The Crown steps out with a gun and tells Bri to hand over Lawless's chain. Bri can barely think. She sees her future flash before her and refuses. At this,...
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Chapter 22
...Malik looks even more upset. Pooh's fury intensifies when she learns that they took Lawless's chain—which Scrap says the Crowns have wanted for years—and that the Crown pointed a gun at...
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...She moans that the food she bought will spoil, and Bri regrets not selling the chain.
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Chapter 25
...say where she's been, but she says she didn't kill the Crown or get the chain back. Bri is still worried, as she knows Pooh started something bad and it's all...
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Chapter 31
...subject and asks Scrap about "that other thing"—getting back at the Crowns for stealing Lawless's chain. When Jay ascertains that Bri was robbed, she shrieks. Scrap says that he has new...
(full context)
...but Jay reminds Pooh that she's in jail. She says she doesn't care about the chain and notes that it sounds like Pooh should be in jail. When this surprises Pooh,...
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...believe that before anything will happen. She says that Pooh is more worried about the chain than her own wellbeing. Bri apologizes for the chain being stolen. Jay says she doesn't...
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Chapter 32
...and says that it is Bri's fault they haven't spoken—she cared too much about the chain to care about the fact that he was hurt. Bri sees the point, but explains...
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Chapter 34
...and family in the crowd. Behind them, she sees a bunch of Crowns holding the chain aloft. Scrap notices and gives Bri a look that asks if he should deal with...
(full context)
