A Tale of Two Cities: Book 3

What does the wife of the Marquis fear?

If she doesn't atone for her husband's sins, the consequences will befall her son (which is what happens).

What theme is suggested by Darnay's escape and Miss Pross' being strong enough to defeat Madame Defarge?

One of Miss Pross's main characteristics is her love for Lucie. Madame Defarge represents hate. - love is stronger than hate

What is "The Shadow" referred to in this chapter title? How is it an example of foreshadowing?

The shadow is cast by Madame Defarge (and the vengeance) over Lucie and her child. It is foreshadowing the danger coming upon them.

What is significant about the fact that Darnay is placed under escort as soon as he arrives in France?

To be placed "under escort" is essentially to be placed under arrest. Darnay has misunderstood the situation in France, and has placed himself in much more danger than he thought.

What does the doctor say in this journal that condemns his son-in-law to death?

"And them and their descendants, to the last of their race, I...denounce to the times when all these things shall be answered for. I denounce them to Heaven and to earth." Dr. Manette denounces the entire Evremonde family including all of the descendants to the end of the race

What decree is passed by the revolutionary government of France the same day that Darnay leaves the safety of England to travel to Paris?

All emigrants are banished, and the revolutionaries can sell the emigrants' property. If they return to France, they are condemned to death.

What is the relationship between John Barsad and Miss Pross? How has he harmed her in the past? Where has Sydney Carton seen him before?

Brother and sister. He left her destitute. He testified against Darnay at the first trial.

What is the significance of the words Carton murmurs against Lucie's cheek when he kisses her, "A life you love"? (309)

Harkens back to when Carton confessed his love to Lucie, he promised that he would give his life so she could keep a life she loves. Carton is making good on that promise.

Why does Dr. Manette believe his past imprisonment "all tended to a good end, ...it was not mere waste and ruin"? (252).

He can now help his son-in-law because of his past suffering. He wants to use influence for good.

How does John Barsad help Carton with his plan to save Darnay?

He carries the unconscious Darnay out to the waiting carriage (helps with the escape).

Why does Dr. Manette think he can help his son-in-law?

He is a privileged person because of his imprisonment in the Bastille earlier.

How does Jerry Cruncher help convince Barsad to cooperate with Carton?

Knows Cly is not dead because Jerry robbed his grave. Carton can prove Cly is a spy and Barsad is associated with Cly. Easy to denounce Barsad as a spy as well.

What does Madame Defarge mean when she says, "It is the daughter of your father who is my business here"? (248).

Madame Defarge's manner and Lucie's fear of her suggests that Madame wants to know Lucie's face to bring her destruction, not to protect her. Obviously the daughter of her father is Lucie.

Why do you think Dickens repeats the message of the shadow's sinister nature two more times, once from Lucie and again from Mr. Lorry at the end of the chapter, "The Shadow"?

Repeating the message foreshadows possible upcoming action, build suspense and bring the reader back for the next installment (serialized fiction).

Who is the "Samson of the firewood guillotine"? What does Lucie do to gain his good will?

The woodcutter who works near the place Lucie walks every day at 3pm. She speaks to him first and gives him money.

What happens to the woman's brother, father, and younger sister?

father dies of heart failure on hearing his daughter was rape; brother dies of stab wound; younger sister is sent away someplace safe & secret.

What is the significance of the title of the chapter, "Calm in Storm"?

the chapter is a pause in action to study Dr. Manette's reaction to Darnay's imprisonment and how bad Paris is. (time passes - 15 months); Dr. Manette becomes a calm in the storm of the Revolution

What is the "car of triumph" (267) used to carry Darnay away from the prison? How does he feel while he is being carried by the mob?

A chair with a red flag over it and a pike with a red cap attached to the back. He is confused and imagines he is in a tumbril on his way to the guillotine.

What is the Carmagnole, and why is Lucie so afraid of it?

A revolutionary song. The people work themselves into a frenzy as a way of "angering the blood, bewildering the senses, and steeling the heart." The dance has the people completely giving over to impulse and potential violence.

List the three "cards" Carton holds which will force Barsad to help him with his plan to free Darnay.

Barsad is using a false name; he has been employed in the past by the aristocratic English govt; Barsad could be suspected of being a spy for England against the French Republic

What scene does the redness of the sun shining on the blood-stained grindstone echo?

Book II, Ch. 9 - after the Marquis' murder, the sun rose red and cast a red glow on everything it shines on, foreshadowing the coming bloodshed.

Why do the Defarges speak so freely in front of Carton?

Carton has led them to believe he does not understand French.

The last words of the chapter, "The Footsteps Die Out Forever," are some of the most famous ever writing: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far far better rest that I go to than I have ever known" (343). In what ways is this statement true for Sydney Carton? Why do you suppose this has become such a famous last line from a novel?

Carton's life was all waste, as a drunk and unlikeability. By this one act, he redeems his whole life, and is now remembered fondly by the Manette family. Part of its fame is from the poetry of the words (repetition and parallelism) as well as the yearning in humans for redemption which Carton's life emulates.

How does Dickens remind the reader of Dr. Manette's imprisonment that ended at the beginning of this novel?

Darnay remembers Manette's imprisonment and says to himself, "He made shoes. He made shoes."

Why does Defarge refuse to help Darnay by contacting Mr. Lorry at Tellson's Bank?

Defarge is loyal to the people and against Darnay, an emigrant. In addition, he blames Darnay's uncle for Dr. Manette's imprisonment.

What evidence of nationalistic pride does Dickens reveal in the chapter, "The Knitting Done"?

Dickens is British. Madame Defarge is French. Miss Pross is English. The English beats the French.

Who is Darnay's third denouncer, who was not named in the previous chapter?

Dr. Manette

Now that Charles is released from the La Force, why do they not all return immediately to England?

Dr. Manette thinks doing so would be dangerous for Charles.

In Dr. Manette's letter, who are the two brothers who employ the Doctor?

Evremondes (Darnay's father and uncle).

What is the significance of the title of the chapter, "Fifty-two"?

Fifty-two people are condemned to die at the guillotine that day (including Darnay)

What narrative technique does Dickens employ in the chapter, "The Substance of the Shadow"?

Flashback or reveal by note or other document. Very popular in Victorian times.

Who comes to arrest Darnay again? Who has denounced him?

Four men with red caps (revolutionaries). Both Monsieur and Madame Defarge denounce Charles and one unnamed person.

Why does Jerry Cruncher change his mind about his wife's flopping?

Frightened for his life, he changes his priorities about his life, including finding comfort in his wife's praying now.

What evidence is presented by the witnesses in Darnay's defense? (first trial at the tribunal)

Gabelle confirms Darnay's story that he wrote to Darnay for help. Dr. Manette testifies that Darnay is his friend, a devoted husband, and not in favor with the aristocratic govt. of England since he has been tried by them for treason.

What aspect of Doctor Manette's character is revealed in the chapter, "Calm in Storm"?

He is strong and calm. He does not relapse despite all the chaos.

How was Ernest Defarge, the wine shop owner, connected to Dr. Manette before his imprisonment?

He was Manette's servant when he was younger.

Why does the woman in the journal count to twelve over and over as part of her feverish ravings?

Her husband died while the clock was striking 12.

What, most likely, is Carton's plan to save Darnay? How has this been foreshadowed?

His plan is to switch places with Darnay. This has been foreshadowed in three ways: Carton's similar looks to Darnay saved Darnay from death before (the English trial), the promise he made to Lucie, and the fact that Barsad's job is to smuggle Carton into Darnay's cell.

Where has the doctor hidden his journal? How was the reading of this letter foreshadowed earlier in the novel?

In the chimney of his prison cell. the reading of this letter was foreshadowed earlier in the novel in two ways: (Book II: Ch. 6) when Darnay told the story of letters being found in the Tower of London; (Book II: Ch. 21) when during the storming of the Bastille, Defarge searched Manette's old cell.

What is the significance of Madame Defarge identifying Little Lucie as "his daughter"?

Little Lucie is an Evremonde, which means Madame Defarge's grudge extends to the little girl as well.

What reasons does Jerry Cruncher give to convince Mr. Lorry that it would not be fair of him to fire Jerry from his Tellson's job just because he is a grave robber?

Lorry has known Jerry for a long time; there are probably doctors who bank with Tellson's that pay Jerry for the corpses he steals and if Lorry is going to disapprove of Jerry grave robbing, he should have a problem with the doctors who pay Jerry to do it.

Ironically, who else is condemned by the Doctor's journal?

Lucie and Little Lucie (now Evremondes)

What final piece of the Defarge/Manette/Evermonde puzzle if finally revealed when Carton goes to the wine shop?

Madame Defarge is the younger sister (explaining her hatred of the Evremondes).

What does Carton learn there about Dr. Manette, Lucie, her child, and Madame Defarge at the Defarge's wine shop?

Madame Defarge plans to exterminate the whole of the Evremondes

What effect is created by Dickens' shift to first-person narration in the chapter, "Fifty-two"?

Makes it more immediate, personal and brings the reader closer to the danger (heightens suspense).

What compliment does Lucie unwittingly pay Madame Defarge?

She is more afraid of Madame Defarge than any of the others. Madame takes that as a compliment.

Where does Lucie go at three o'clock every afternoon?

She stands on the streets at a place selected by Dr. Manette, so Darnay can or may be able to see her from a window at the prison.

In what capacity does Barsad agree to help Carton?

Smuggle carton in to see Darnay if Darnay is convicted and sentenced to die.

In the prison, why does Darnay compare the aristocrats jailed with him to ghosts?

The aristocrats maintain their fine manners, even in the filthy prison. They look out of place and time. Like ghosts of the past.

What is the significance of the metaphor in the following passage? "...the sun was red on the courtyard. But, the lesser grindstone stood alone there in the calm morning air, with a red upon it that the sun had never given, and would never take away" (244).

The blood that the grindstone has won't wash away. Even as the sun continues to move.

What is the significance of the title of the chapter, "The Substance of the Shadow"?

The connection is revealed between Manette & the Evremonde family. Can infer that Madame Defarge is the younger sister which explains her hatred for the Evremondes (giving substance or explanation of the shadow).

What is inscribed on the door of Dr. Manette's house?

The names of all the people living in the house are inscribed on the door.

What effect does Dickens create with the imagery of the people at the grindstone?

The people are dressed like madmen and mad women and dance wildly as if half-crazed. The color red predominates the scene. Dickens is establishing the utter violence and the loss of all reason in the Revolution.

How is the theme of resurrection emphasized in the chapter, "The Game Made"? What is being suggested about Carton's plan?

The repetition of the verse/prayer spoken during Carton's father's funeral (John 11:25- know what this verse says). Carton is thinking of dying himself, or risking his life. His plan is to resurrect Darnay (who is as good as dead).

How does the plight of the seamstress illustrate one of the main flaws of the Revolution?

The seamstress is innocent, but is accused falsely and will lose her life unfairly. Despite being unfairly treated by the aristocrats and learning from that, the peasants, now in charge, are just as unfair and not justified in their courtrooms.

How does Dickens show how insensitive the Republic's prisoners have become to the carnage all around them?

There is a brief moment of sorrow when Darnay's name is called to appear before the Tribunal—certainly to be sentenced to death- The prisoners then very quickly say good-bye and return to their games and entertainments for the evening.

Why does Madame Defarge visit Lucie before her husband's execution?

To catch Lucie in an apparent show of either grieving her husband or saying something against the Republic (all things that can be used against her in court).

What does the wife of the Marquis want from the doctor?

To find and help the younger sister.

Why does Carton go to the wine shop?

To make sure people know there's someone who looks like Darnay about.

What evidence is there that Mr. Defarge does not want to mark Lucie and her family for death but is doing it because of his wife?

When Mr. Lorry tells Lucie that Madame Defarge needs to meet everyone so she will know whom to protect, Monsieur Defarge "looked gloomily at his wife, and gave no other answer than a gruff sound of acquiescence. (pg. 247)

List three of the jokes the people of the time made about the guillotine

cure for headaches; prevented hair from turning grey; "national razor which shaved close"

What does it mean to be kept "In secret"?

solitary confinement