Triumph

Sorry for the delay, I got home later than I thought. Explain the title of this chapter, what triumph is it referring too? First off if you were in Darnay's shoes, what do you think of the Evening Paper joke between the gaolers? If you were a prisoner, how would you react to hearing that?

"... "Take of his head!" cried the audience. "An enemy to the Republic!"(pg 288) What do you think of the audiences initial reaction and how it changed suddenly when Manette's name was mentioned? Also, what do you think of Manette's continuing rise in popularity among the citizens? Is it good or bad? Will it get him into trouble? After the vote has commenced describe Dicken's use of vocabulary to express the happiness of the crowd, why do you think he went into so much detail about this? Also what do you think of the: "... Reddening the snowy streets with the prevailing Republican color (red), in winding and tramping through them, as they had reddened them below the snow with a deeper dye ..." (pg 291) What do you think Dicken's is trying to say? Lastly what do you think of the difference of the two dances we witnessed, the one in this chapter and the one in the previous? How were they different, and how differently did the crowds act? Feel free to answer any of these questions or go off on your own. 

Calm in Storm

What do you think the importance of the title is in this chapter? What is the calm, what is the storm? Why do you think they let Darnay live and not kill him like the rest of the prisoners? What did the members of the Tribunal decide about Charles Darnay?

"...that he had obtained the permission, and had remained in that Hall of Blood until the danger was over." (p. 275) Why did Dickens refer to the courtroom as the Hall of Blood?

"The mad joy over the prisoners who were saved, had astounded him scarcely less than the mad ferocity against those who were cut to pieces." (p. 275) Why is this?

As Dr. Manette explained his experience watching an innocent prisoner being stabbed and killed in the streets, Mr. Lorry becomes nervous about these terrible incidents. What does Mr. Lorry think will happen and why is he worried about Dr. Manette? What has changed about Dr. Manette? What job does Dr. Manette now have and why is it important to Lucie that he has this job? Lastly, what is said about the guillotine, and what method of writing is used to describe it? 

The Wood-Sawyer

It has been a long time since Darnay was imprisoned in La Force. How much time exactly? It has also been a long time waiting for the Manettes. Surprisingly, they still remain hopeful that Charles will survive even though "Every day...the tumbrils now jolted heavily, filled with the condemned,"(page 279). Also on this page (279) Dickens refers to the blood of the victims of the guillotine as "...red wine for La guillotine..." What do you think of this? This isn't Dickens' first time substituting red wine for blood (Book 1, chap 5: the Wine Shop; Book 3, chap 2: the Grindstone).

Later, on page 280, how does Dickens describe the guillotine? What do you think of the personification? "She was truest to them in the season of trial, as all the quietly loyal and good will always be,"(page 280). 

Also in this chapter, Lucie finds a way for her husband to see her. What does she do? On her way back from this, Lucie comes across a man. What is he called? What does he call his saw? Why? What do you think of this one encounter? "[The Wood Sawyer] cast a glance at the prison, pointed at the prison, and putting his ten fingers before his face to represent bars, peeped through them jocosely. 'But it’s not my business,' said he. And went on sawing his wood." On page 283 and 284, what did Lucie see happening in the streets? Finally, the Manettes hear the news they have been waiting for. What is the news? Respond to any of the questions; feel free to go into other topics.

The Grindstone
On page 264, Dickens writes, "on his honest and courageous face there was a deeper shade than the pendent lamp could throw, or any object in the room distortedly reflect--a shade of horror." Who is he talking about? What are they horrified of? Who came to visit Mr. Lorry? Why did Manette have respect among the patriots? Why didn't Lorry want them to look outside, and what were they not looking at? How was the mob in the courtyard described? What word in particular did Dickens use in describing the mob on page 267? What are they doing with the grindstone? What is the significance of the grindstone? Feel free to answer any of the questions, or discuss something completely different.    

In Secret

This chapter begins with Darnay, encumbered by the various patriot patrols and barriers, traveling through France. Along his journey, he is woken in the middle of the night by a band of patriots who require that he be "escorted" by them to Paris. When they stop in Beauvais, Darnay is confronted by a crowd who brand him as a "cursed emigrant... and a cursed aristocrat." When he finally reaches Paris, Darnay is met by Defarge, who explains to him his position as a prisoner. Then Darnay is taken to the prison of La Force.

What is Dickens' opinion of the justification of the patriots who man the barriers? On his journey, what conclusion does Darnay come to regarding his future in Paris? Why was Darnay forced to take an escort? What was the postmaster's opinion of decrees? How does Dickens show the respectability and good-naturedness of the patriot guards? What does Defarge mean when he asks Darnay, "In the name of that sharp female newly-born, and called La Guillotine, why did you come to France?"What mannerism defines Defarge's attitude as he talks to Darnay? What did you think of the ghost metaphor on Pg. 260? What does Dickens mean when he writes, "The ghost of beauty, the ghost of stateliness, the ghost of elegance, the ghost of pride, the ghost of frivolity, the ghost of wit, the ghost of youth, the ghost of age, all waiting their dismissal from the desolate shore, all turning on him eyes that were changed by the death they had died in coming there?" Do you think Darnay deserves the treatment he receives in France, or is being unjustly imprisoned based only on his lineage? What is "in secret?" To whom does Darnay identify now that he has been placed "in secret?"

Feel free to answer all of these questions, none of these questions, any assortment of these questions, or any questions that you pose yourself. Cheers!

Drawn To The Loadstone Rock

In the beginning of the chapter, its explained that three years had gone by, and the echoes of footsteps still continue. Mr. Lorry, also goes to Paris, to protect the wealth in France in the banks. Why do you think this happens? On the other hand, a letter is received at the bank entitled to Marquis St. Evrémonde. Who is this man? Why does Charles Darnay act strange about the letter? Why does Charles Darnay want to go to Paris so badly? What does he think it will make him feel? Also, how do you feel about him leaving certain people behind? Feel free to answer any of these questions.

FIRE, FIRE, FIRE! Chapter 23.

Fire rises, fire rises indeed.  Revolutionaries are everywhere, burning expensive buildings and overthrowing the rich.  In the chapter, a tired man approaches the mender of the roads, a situation that would be unusual a few years back - why do you think that is?  The two men greet each other by the name "Jacques;" why do they do this?  The Mender lets the man sleep on his watch, and at sunset, they depart together towards the château, and subsequently the château is burned TO THE GROUND.  “With the rising and falling of the blaze, the stone faces showed as if they were in torment…As if it were the face of cruel Marquis, burning at the stake, and contending with the fire.” (234) What do you think this quote represents? 

As it is burning, a rider from the Château urges the villagers to save some of the valuables, but instead, everyone goes into their respective houses and put “candles in every dull pane of glass.” (234) Why do they do this?

Lastly, Four figures moving east, west, north, and south are mentioned multiple times in the chapter.  What is their significance in the chapter, and why did Dickens mention it multiple times?

Answer and discuss these questions, or converse on a topic that you found interesting in this climactic chapter by Charles Dickens.

The Sea Still Rises

So tonights reading of chapter 22 was short, but also had some important scenes in it. On page 223 in the first chapter we start in the wine shop with Madame Defarge. What does the rose on her head mean? We also meet a new character called The Vengeance. Why do you think Dickens uses this name for her? Also do you think this suits the attitude of her character that we have seen so far? On page 225 there is a passage about the women. I thought this was very interesting. What did you guys think about this passage? Another passage that I thought was interesting was the death scene on page 227.  What were your reactions to this scene? Feel free to answer all of these questions or go on a completely different route.

Echoing Footsteps

At the beginning of chapter 21 Dickens describes the footsteps that Lucie hears. What is the significance of this? Pay close attention to the first few pages we get an update on how everyone is doing. What type of life are the characters in England living? On pages 216 and 217 there is a change in setting and mood. How do the events and lives of the characters in London compare with those in Paris? What is the mob compared to? How does Jacques Three behave during the storming of the bastille? Why did Defarge visit Manette’s cell. How does Madame Defarge behave? The last Paragraph references Lucie and her aloofness from the horrors in Paris. What does this foreshadow? Feel free to answer any of these or discuss something different.

Chapters 19 and 20 Question

In the two chapters of reading we had tonight, one proved to be eventful; the other less so.  A quick review:  On the tenth day, the doctor has awakened from his trance, and Mr. Lorry interrogates him on the cause of the traumatic event as though it had afflicted a friend other than Dr. Manette.  He gathers information about the illness and finally inquires as to whether the tools of this "friend" (he took to blacksmithing, apparently) should be kept or discarded.  The doctor responds by saying that he believes that the tools should be kept.  When he leaves to return to his daughter, Mr. Lorry and Ms. Pross destroy the tools.  The main event of the second chapter was when the Lucie and Charles returned home, and Carton greets them, apologizing for his bacchanalian tendencies.  Charles is understanding but a bit brusque, and Lucie later asks him to be more sensitive.

This chapter raised many chapters.  Firstly, what triggered Manette becoming insane again?  Why did Mr. Lorry interrogate the Doctor so indirectly?  Do you think the Doctor understood the truth of the conversation?   This could be so, for on page 202, when Lorry tells the doctor he retained the information from the daughter, "the Doctor grasped his hand and murmured, 'That was very kind.  That was very thoughtful!'"  Why did the Doctor think it was unlikely that such an event to reoccur is unlikely?  Why did he want to keep his tools, and why did Lorry and Pross destroy them?  On the second chapter, what did Carton ask of Darnay?  How did Darnay respond?  Why was he a bit brusque?  What does this tell of Darnay's character?  Why did Lucie then intervene?  Darnay then promised to respect his wife's wishes.  What does this tell us of their marriage and relationship?  Is Lucie good for something after all?

Answer any or all of the above questions.  Conversely, go off and write on something completely different.  Remember to supply a related, unused quotation from the text.

ATOTC Quiz #2 Study Guide

Quiz on Monday, May 4 covers information from Chapters 7-15

Characters (in addition to the main characters):
- Monseigneur of the chocolate
- the Marquis
- the mender of roads
- the three Jacques
- Gaspard

Plot events and concepts:
- the two promises (who promises what to whom?)
- the Marquis' crime (what happens? who sees it?)
- the death of the Marquis (who kills him? why? how is "the deed" described?)
- the aftermath to the death of the Marquis (what happens to Gaspard? who witnesses it?)
- the relationship of Charles Darnay to the Marquis
- the "honest" trade of Jerry Cruncher
- the meaning of "Resurrection Man"
- the matrimonial plans of Mr. Stryver ("A Fellow of Delicacy")
- the solemn vow of Sydney Carton ("A Fellow of No Delicacy") to Lucie Manette
- Madame Defarge's knitting

Chapters 3 and 4: Buried Alive?

Chapter 3: England
After he leaves the coach on the Dover Road, Jerry Cruncher  ruminates on the message: "Recalled to Life." We get a description of him as a rough, classic Dickensian Londoner, complete with spiky black hair and close-set eyes.

Then we move back into the Dover mail coach, where Mr. Jarvis Lorry is in a half-waking, half-nightmare state. An image of a "spectre" haunts him, a man of "sunken cheek" and "cadaverous colour," (p. 14) and Lorry recalls a conversation with this man: "Buried how long?" "Almost eighteen years."

The sun rises on a new day as Lorry's coach enters Dover.

Chapter 4: Still in England
In the Royal George Hotel, Dover, we get our first look at Mr. Lorry. He is a trim, neat man of about 60, who wears an old-fashioned wig and a well-kept brown suit. Everything about him is "orderly and methodical." (17)

Lucie Manette enters. She is 17 and alone in the world. She has come to Dover at the request of Tellson's Bank, where she meets with Mr. Lorry. He reveals that he brought her from France to England when she was three years old. Then he reveals that her father is actually alive, and has just been released from 18 years in prison. She is rather verklempt, and Mr. Lorry tries to console her with the encouraging words, "A matter of business! ...useful business!" The two will travel to France together to meet Dr. Manette.

Who's Who in A Tale of Two Cities

In Book the First of A Tale of Two Cities, we've met a handful of characters. Here they are, to review, in order of appearance in the book:

In England:

Mr. Lorry and Lucie meet, Book 1.

Mr. Jarvis Lorry, a banker with Tellson's bank. He is connected by business and affection to the Manette family.

Jerry Cruncher and his son.

 Lucie Manette, seventeen-year-old daughter of Dr. Manette, born in France but raised in England.


Jerry Cruncher, odd-job servant and messenger for Tellson's bank. He has a side business that makes him rather a grave man. 

Edna May Oliver as Miss Pross

Miss Pross, nanny, ladies' maid,  and fierce protector of Lucie Manette.








In France:

Monsieur and Madame DeFarge: Wine-shop owners, St. Antoine, Paris. Monsieur DeFarge, a "martial-looking" man, once worked for Dr. Manette. Madame DeFarge is a skilled knitter, "with a watchful eye that seldom seemed to look at anything."

Dr. Alexandre Manette, father to Lucie. Jailed in the Bastille for eighteen years, he is, as the novel opens, freed and "recalled to life."

An Uphill Slog through Mud and Fog: ATOTC, Chapter 2

Mr. Jarvis Lorry reads the letter delivered by Jerry Cruncher.

The novel opens with the philosophical, long-sighted Chapter 1, but the action begins in Chapter 2.  The scene may be difficult to decipher, but this is likely intentional on Dickens' part, as it sets the mood for the action to come. Here's what we know:

The coach carrying the mail to Dover is also carrying three passengers, among them Mr. Jarvis Lorry. The passengers reflect the general air of suspicion and fear that has gripped England, "for anybody on the road might be a robber or in league with robbers." (p. 7)

The coach is stuck in the mud, on an uphill incline. The passengers are forced to walk through the mud, while the coachmen abuse the horses. It's not too difficult to find the metaphor here for a country that is going nowhere and whose powers-that-be (the crown, the government and the clergy) heap abuses on those who toil to move it forward. Meanwhile a fog "roamed in its forlornness up the hill, like an evil spirit, seeking rest and finding none." (p. 6)

No surprise, then, that when Jerry Cruncher, an "honest tradesman" arrives with a message for Mr. Lorry, he is met with suspicion by the heavily armed coachman and guard. His message: "Wait at Dover for Mam'selle" (p. 10) is given the reply by Jarvis Lorry: "RECALLED TO LIFE." Since this is the title of Book One of ATOTC, we can assume this has some significance. It does.