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.
In this chapter, we find out how the characters in England are going to connect with the characters in France. We knew it would happen at some point, but now we now how it happens. Mr. Lorry went to Paris because of the great business opportunities that were there. I think Dickens sent Lorry to France to be the first to bring the two cities together. The book started with Mr. Lorry, so naturally, the turning point of the book should start with him.
ReplyDeleteWe finally find out the name that belongs to Darnay, Marquis St. Evrémond. Darnay acts strange because he gave up his name and his title, but now he is being sucked back in to the aristocratic dramatics that are currently swallowing France. He wants to go back to Paris to save Gabelle, who has been taken prisoner. He thinks it will make him feel like he is doing good. I think he wants the opportunity to show that the aristocrats are no all bad. Darnay going to Paris is very bad. Even if he doesn't get killed while he is there. The revolutionaries are going to know who he is, which is not good for him, Lucie, or any of the characters in England.
In this chapter, everything really comes together. The reader now understand how the two stories and places connect and how it happens. Something else that happened in this chapter, is that we found out Charles Darnay's real name. I was surprised that Dickens choose to put it in this chapter, because I was thinking he would place it more towards the end. In this way, the reader would be waiting and waiting for it to be revealed.
ReplyDeleteThe reason Darnay acted so strange after getting the letter is he realized he was the next Marquis. He also just found out his uncle died so that might be hard to take in. But the news of his new position might be harder to really take in because he and his uncle didn't really connect. I was surprised Darnay left without Lucie. He talks about how much he is in love with her and I assumed he would not want to leave her, but maybe he is less reluctant since it has been three years. I predict something terrible is going to happen to Darnay while he is in France, but Carton is going to take his place because he knows how Lucie would react to something bad happening to Darnay. I thought this past chapter was one of the more interesting ones because now the reader understand more and more about the two cities.
In this chapter just as James and Maggie said, everything comes together. The relationships between the two cities and the stories connect. Also in this chapter we learn Darnay's true name. It is interesting to notice as soon as he receives that letter, that his past catches up too him and swallows him back up. Just as he gets out of his past, he is dragged back in.
ReplyDeleteThe reason that Darnay acted so strange when he got the letter was because he realized that his past was catching up with him. He also realized that there was no way that he can run away from this, he feels like he has too return to Gabelle. I was also surprised that he left. I do not think that this was a very smart idea. I think that it is inevitable that something will happen to Darnay, it's just a question of what and when. I think that we are finally getting to the better parts of this novel and it will be exciting to see how the rest of the novel plays out.
This chapter was the turning point of the story. It's the point where we now know how everything is going to connect with each other. However, we have no idea how this will turn out. First off, Mr. Lorry is sent to Paris because he thinks that he will prosper there and will be safer there than he is now. Another thing that happens in this chapter is that we finally find out what Charles Darnay's real name is, Marquis St. Evrémonde. Darnay is startled when he glances at the name on the letter because he realizes that is himself. He quickly comes up with a solution and pretends that Marquis St. Evrémonde is an acquaintance of his.
ReplyDelete"The latent uneasiness in Darnay’s mind was roused to vigourous life by this letter. The peril of an old servant and a good one, whose only crime was fidelity to himself and his family, stared him so reproachfully in the face, that, as he walked to and fro in the Temple considering what to do, he almost hid his face from the passersby." (p. 243) Charles Darnay was acts so strangely about this letter because it made him feel ashamed that Gabelle was only doing what he was asked to do, and was being punished for it. He felt so ashamed to even show his face for the rest of the night. I think's it good that Darnay feels this way about his past because then he will not turn out like his uncle and have everyone despise him.
At first I was surprised that Darnay would decide so quickly to leave Lucie behind to go to Paris, but once I noticed Darnay's perspective of this, my opinion changed. He wants to go to Paris to protect his name and Gabelle. He feels ashamed of his past and now realizes that he needs to fix what has happened right away. He made the right decision to leave, but I also feel bad for Lucie. Hopefully nothing bad will happen to Charles Darnay in Paris, but I have a feeling something will.
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ReplyDeleteIn this chapter, Mr. Lorry’s employer, Tellson’s Bank, asks him to go to the Paris Branch and protect the wealth their. This is so because, the bank knows that Paris is in tumultuous times and doesn’t want anything to happen to the bank there. Also in this chapter, Dickens finally elucidates Darnay’s name and his now important role in the book. We learn this when literate Darnay notices that a letter is addressed to the Marquis St. Evrémonde/himself. When he learns of Gabelle and his new responsibilities as the Marquis, he decides he wants to go to France and save the tax collector. But obviously something more is going to come out of his trip to France than helping out this man. As we all predicted, Darnay is going to get caught up in the revolution. And although he doesn’t have any bad intentions or is one of the evil aristocrats, he is going to get himself into trouble.
ReplyDeleteAs for leaving Lucie behind, I do not think he is doing anything wrong. In fact, he is doing what he is supposed to do. He, being the Marquis, has many responsibilities, one of which is looking after Gabelle, even if it means leaving his wife behind for a while.
I think that the reason why there is so much want to get the money out of France is because it is only a matter of time before that money is taken by the revolutionaries. The higher classes want to preserve it. Mr. Lorry is required to go there because he is on orders. The Marquis St. Evremonde is Darnay's real name. He acts strangely and a bit off balanced because he is shocked at the use of his true name.
ReplyDeleteHe wants to go to Paris so badly because he feels like he has an obligation towards saving Gabelle, the tax collector. Such a dumb move. Gabelle is basically asking Darnay to sacrifice his own skin so that Gabelle can go free. "The crime for which I am imprisoned is ... they tell me, treason against the majesty of the people, in the I have acted against them for an emigrant." P 243. Therefore, if Darnay goes, he will be charged of treason and his life will be taken.
As for Darnay leaving his family, this is a very irresponsible act. These people depend on him, and if Dr Manette realizes Darnay's true intentions, then he will probably turn to shoemaking.
Charles was always against the abusive action that the Marquis engaged in. He always meant to fix the horrible condition of life that surrounded the chateau, but he was busy. Now he feels a moral obligation to calm the revolution and restore sanity to France. This ambitous goal is daunting and dangerous and that's why no one can accompany him on his journey. Involving Lucie would be selfish and careless. Involving the Doctor would most likely bring about an insane state of mind.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter was important because it served as a way of connecting the two cities and now we will see the quiet, pleasant life of Charles Darnay collide with the madness and anarchy that characterizes the revolution.
This chapter marks the first real connection from our characters in England back to France since Darnay met his uncle. Its starts with Mr. Lorry informing Darnay of his travel plans there to tidy up the financials of some of the aristocrats still being persecuted. Tellson's must be incredibly worried that their business affairs in France must be in danger if they're sending one of their most senior bankers.
ReplyDeleteThe St. Evermonde is Darnay's family name, and the letter was addressed to him because its author did not know that Darnay renounced his family's name. Darnay acts strangely because he has yet to, and never intends to eucidate Mr. Lorry-no matter how close he might be to the family- of Darnay's origins. He needs to head to Paris to try to rescure Gabelle who-collateral of the French revolutionaries hate for all people loyal to the Marquis-was arrested.
I think foremost Darnay must feel guilty about leaving his family. He certainly hasn't been completely translucent with Lucie regarding his family, but before he has been able to put that all behind him. Now the life of an innocent man is at stake, and Darnay must take action despite the personal ramifications this might have.
Things are finally happening! France and England are coming together, and the revolution is still occurring. Mr. Lorry's traveling to France is interesting; maybe it's because Dickens wanted a way to bring the cities and characters together - If I was living in England I wouldn't be too inclined to travel to a country that is in turmoil.
ReplyDeleteMr. Lorry needs to find the Marquis, and it so happens that Mr. Lorry has met the Marquis - but doesn't know it yet. Darnay does not want to reveal his true identity. The letter is from Gabelle, who urges Darnay to come to Paris to save Gabelle. Darnay wants to be the hero in the situation by saving Gabelle.