A Tale of Two Cities ch. 5-8

Summary: Daraney returns to trial in France, with his worried family is there to support him. Manette, knowing of the prisons there, tells his daughter to stand outside Barneys window so he could see her. She does so and encounters many people: a man with an axe, and a large group of revolutionists dancing in the streets by her. In the next chapter the trial couldn't have gone better, with the help from Manette, Daraney is taken home, for he tells of his stance in the whole aristocracy/peasant disagreement and the crowd seemed to love that about him. However everything takes turn the next day, as soldiers return to Darneys home to arrest him again. When Manette asks who accused Darany, he is told that it is the Defarges and one other person. Back in England, Sydney carton comes up with a solution to Darneys situation, for he has found the really spy from 13 years earlier. He believed that information could help Darnay's trial right now in France, so he takes Braton with him to France to help with Daraney.

Quote: "There could not be fewer than five hundred people, and they were dancing like five thousand demons. They danced to the popular revolution song, keeping a ferocious time that was like a gnashing of teeth in unison."

Significance of Quote: In this quote, Dickens is describing the anticipation and excitement of the rowdy crowd. Death and crime was what they found fascinating during this time. “...dancing like five thousand demons,” symbolises how the revolution had changed the poor, sad people of France; and of course we cannot ignore the imagery this quote paints for the readers, fro when you read this all you see is a crowd full of crazed, animal like peasants.

Reflection: Everything in the story is piecing together like a puzzle, for now all the people we believed had no point in this story have shown their purpose. Also, as we go deeper into the plot, we can see that Dickens is starting to put together all the original people back in the same spot as they were 13 years ago. With Draney as the accused in a crime,and Lucy, Mr. Lorry, Manette, Defarge, as suspects; and of course now Sydney Carton is returning to France to be Darneys lawyer for the second time. The book is shaped as a circle, beginning and ending in the same place. However, we cannot forget the small mystery still in place, who ever else is involved in Delaneys resentencing.

Question: Is the third accuser Mr.Lorry?

A Tale of Two Cities ch.1-4

Summary: Daraney is taken prisoner by french revolutionaries, and is put in a jail cell to wait for Defarge. He asked Defarge for help, but Defarge thought he was too suspicious so he didn't help him. Daraney was then brought to the worst place in france, as Dickens describes it as death. His imprisonment brings Lucie and Dr.Manette to France to Lorry in the next chapter. Manette is told that revolutionists are planning to destroy La Force, where Daraney is held; so he then runs out into the outside crowd and calls for help. In chapter 3, Defarge delivers a message to Lorry from Manette, who had fled in the earlier chapter. Lorry follows all the instructions and hides Lucie, her daughter, and Miss Pross away with Defarge and his wife to watch over them. The plan is set into action… The Next chapter, Manette returns from La Force,after persuading them not to kill off Daraney. He also had gotten himself a job, and that will ensure Darneys safety in La Force. In this chapter the queen and king of France are beheaded due to the revolution.

Quote:  "Above all, one hideous figure grew… the figure of the sharp female called La Guillotine. It was the popular theme for jests; it was the best cure for headache, it infallibly prevented the hair from turning grey, it imparted a peculiar delicacy to the complexion, it was the National Razor which shaved close."

Sig. of Quote: “La Guillotine”, is really the tool the revolutionists prefered to use in beheading (for they used it to behead the king and queen). By giving the slaughter tool a name and having many admirers, it is a great personification example.

Reflection: Over all the years, this group of people have been brought together, but until now, we never knew exactly why. They have become close friends, and now they are on a mission together. Dr.Manette, being a frigid and puny little man throughout the entire novel so far, has begun to change during his mission. Dickens says that Mr.Lorry noticed that Manette seemed more confident, sure, and strong;as opposed to his usual scared, timid self Lorry has been used to being around. However, the new Manette that Dickens had described may be the original, before he was imprisoned by the French. Before he snapped and went crazy… This “new” Manette may actually be the real one.

A Tale of Two Cities ch22-24

Summary: in these chapters, The peasants of France have started to revolt against the rich. In chapter 22 they all gather together after they find the man who told them to eat grass if they were hungry; and murdered him, hanging from the neck 3 times. The next chapter is just as bad, for in the countryside they set a church afire, and go after all the wealthy people of the area, letting a tax collector get away. Chapter 24 isn't very chaotic as the other two; we are brought ahead three years, when France is still having problems with the poor, and England is where all the aristocrats of France are taking cover in. Lorry is assigned to go to France to collect important papers and stuff for those in England, Daraney tried to persuade him not to go, however Lorry still goes, after receiving an urgent letter.

Quote: " Darnay, unable to restrain himself any longer, touched Mr. Stryver on the shoulder and said: ‘I know the fellow’"

Significance of quote: Manette, once being imprisoned by a Marquis, whom Daraney is telling Stryver about. What Daraney isn't telling Manette is that he is a Marquis, and he wants Stryver to keep quiet until he returns from delivering the message to France.

Reflection: Throughout the book so far, we have had signs and foreshadowing that the French poverty would snap. They were treated horribly by everybody, and Dickens loved to describe how they lived. We can now clearly see the difference between England and France, where France is chaotic and horrible to be, and England is where people are going for protection. England is stable and a bright place compared to the gloomy, grey France. Mr.Lorry being assigned to travel to France isn't good, for he can either join the revolts or be a target.