Openers for A Tale of Two Cities

Ch.1-2 Describe the social situation and atmosphere that Dickens describes in Chapter One. What sort of state is England and France in? Shape your response into a well organized paragraph, 6-8 sentences in length.

Ch.3-4 Who does Jarvis Lorry meet in Dover and what do they plan to do? How does Dickens create a sense of suspense in these chapters?

Chapter 5 & 6 What is the impression you have of Madame Defarge, after reading Chapter 5? What helps Dr. Manette begin to remember his past. (This is mentioned in Chapter 6.)

Book II Chapter 1 and 2 Describe the character of Jerry Cruncher, which is emphasized in Chapter 1. Describe the Old Bailey, which is emphasized in Chapter 2.

Book II Chapter 3 & 4 Ch.3 “A Disappointment” Who is Charles Darnay? What is he being tried for and why is he acquitted? Ch. 4 “Congratulatory” Who is Sydney Carton? Describe this character.

Understanding Whose Who Sydney Carton: Sydney Carton is a dissipated English lawyer who spends a great deal of his life drunk. Dr. Manette: Dr. Manette is one of the central characters in A Tale of Two Cities. He was imprisoned at the start of the story because he had tried to bring the crimes of two members of a French noble family to public trial. Jerry Cruncher: Jerry Cruncher is the literal symbol of Dickens's theme of resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities. Cruncher is a "resurrection man"—he steals fresh corpses from graveyards and delivers them to medical schools so that students can study human anatomy. Jarvis Lorry: Jarvis Lorry is the representative of Tellson's Bank, an old, established English institution. He serves partly as a means of progressing the plot and partly as a symbol of English middle-class virtue. Charles Darnay: Charles Darnay, or St. Evremonde, is the nephew and heir of the Marquis St. Evremonde, the wicked aristocrat who is responsible for the imprisonment of Dr. Manette. Miss Pross: Miss Pross is Lucie Manette’s nurse Monsieur Everemonde: He is the image of the uncaring French aristocrat and he is responsible for the imprisonment of Dr. Manette. Madame Defarge: Madame Defarge is the symbol of the evils brought forth by the French Revolution. Her entire family was destroyed by the St. Evremonde clan

Understanding Whose Who Mr. Stryver: C. J. Stryver is the quasi-law partner of Sydney Carton. He makes his living by exploiting Carton's legal mind.

Book II Chapter 5 and 6 “The Jackal” We see in this chapter that Darnay, Stryver, and Carton have all taken an interest in Lucie Manette. How is this revealed? “Hundreds of People” In this chapter, Jarvis Lorry visits the Manettes, who he has befriended, for Sunday dinner. Describe some of the details of his visit.

Book II Ch.7 and 8 Monseigneur in Town and Monseigneur in the Country In these chapters a new character is introduced: Monsieur the Marquis, a French nobleman and uncle of Charles Darnay. In a unified paragraph (8-11 sentences), describe the Marquis. What sort of person is he? Be sure to give some examples from these chapters.

Book II Chapter 9 and 10 “The Gorgon’s Head” The Marquis’ nephew comes to visit him at his chateau in this chapter. What are some of the things they discuss? What is the nephew’s attitude toward his family “Two Promises” What are the promises that Dr. Manette and Charles Darnay make in this chapter?

Book II Chapter 11 and 12 “A Companion Picture” and “The Fellow of No Delicacy” These two chapters focus on Mr. Stryver and include a lot of subtle humor. What’s your impression of Mr. Stryver? Write down some of your insights (6 to 8 sentences).

Book II Chapter 13 and 14 “The Fellow of No Delicacy” and “The Honest Tradesman” In Chapter 13, Sydney Carton tells Lucie he loves her. Why do you think he’s drawn to Lucie? How does she respond to Carton? also… What is the ominous mob following in Chapter 14? Who is the “Honest Tradesman” in Chapter 14?

Book II Chapter 15 and 16 These chapters reveal that the Defarges are a part of a serious organization of revolutionaries in St. Antoine. They have friends in the police, they use secret signals and coded language, they are keeping track of people who they intend to eventually execute, and they are aware that there are spies and counter spies everywhere. The revolution, it seems, is quickly approaching. In Chapter 16, “Still Knitting”, the Defarges find out that Lucie Manette is soon to marry Charles Darnay. How do they react and why? What are the repercussions or consequences of this marriage?

Book II Chapter 18 “Nine Days” Describe what goes on for nine days in this chapter.

Book III Chapter 1: In Secret Why is Charles Darnay motivated to go back to Paris during the Reign of Terror? What are some of the new decrees that have been set forth in France? What is Darnay’s fate in this chapter?

BOOK III CHAPTERS THREE AND FOUR “The Shadow” and “Calm in the Storm” In Chapter 3, Monsieur Defarge brings a letter to Jarvis Lorry. They go, along with Madame Defarge, to take the letter to Lucie. What does the letter say? At the end of the chapter, what does Lucie ask of Madame Defarge? How does Madame Defarge reply? What is The Shadow that Dickens is referring to in Chapter 3?

Book III Chapter Five and Six The Wood-Sawyer and Triumph How is Lucie Manette portrayed in these chapters? What sort of woman is Lucie? How does she compare with Jane Eyre (the character)?

Book III Chapter 8 “A Hand at Cards” In this chapter, we are exposed to a lot of secrets—secrets relating to Solomon Pross (aka John Barsad) and Roger Cly. What do we find out?