Insights into Chapter 2: “A Sight” (“Book the Second”)

Wise students will want to mark these items as they’re reading chapter two of “Book the Second.”

p. 59 “The Old Bailey” London’s Historic Criminal Court

p. 60 (and then 62) “quartering” Until reformed under the Treason Act 1814, the full punishment for the crime of treason in Britain was to be hanged, drawn and quartered in that the condemned prisoner would be: 1.Dragged on a hurdle (a wooden frame) to the place of execution. This is the original meaning of drawn. 2.Hanged by the neck for a short time or until almost dead (hanged). 3.The body beheaded, then divided into four parts (quartered).

p. 61 Clue for Jerry Cruncher Pay attention to the characterization clue at the bottom of page 61 that tells us that Jerry Cruncher made his way through the crowd “with the skill of a man accustomed to make his way quietly.” (Jerry is used to getting around without being noticed.)

p. 62 Introduction of Sydney Carton On page 62, we see for the first time the appearance of Sydney Carton (whom you should mark in orange). Sydney (who remains unnamed at this point) is the other “wigged gentleman with his hands in his pockets, whose whole attention, when Mr. Cruncher looked at him then or afterwards, seemed to be concentrated on the ceiling of the court.”

p. 63 Introduction of Charles Darnay On page 63, we see for the first time the appearance of Charles Darnay (whom you should mark in blue). NOTICE: I have chosen two complementary colors for Sydney and Charles. These opposite colors are NOT a mistake—because these two characters are opposites (or foils). Charles is the prisoner at the Old Bailey who is being tried for treason against England.

p. 64 Introduction of the “blue flies” Pay close attention to the use of “blue flies” in this chapter. (Once again, they’re introduced but not named in this chapter.) Dickens uses this metaphor in “Book the Third” to represent the spectators in a courtroom who get excited when they expect a death sentence to be delivered. Their “buzzing” gets louder as death gets closer, just like blue flies.