A Tale of Two Cities Book Two-Chapters 1-12

What is Dickens suggesting with the following: "In this respect the House was much on a par with the Country; which did very often disinherit its sons for suggesting improvements in laws and customs that had long been highly objectionable, but were only the more respectable"?

Dickens meant that the house(Tellson's Bank) is like the country in that it resists change and is very arrogant about its old traditions. Anyone who wanted to change something would be called a traitor and be punished.

What is implied by Jerry's anger with his wife for praying, the mud found on his boots, and the rust on his hands?

Jerry's wife is praying about something to do with his ability to feed his family, which angers Jerry. Jerry has a guilty conscience for doing something illegal to provide for his family.

What effect does Dickens achieve by the domestic abuse scene in the Cruncher home?

Dickens builds suspense about Cruncher's night job, and provides comic relief with domestic violence.

What is Cruncher's opinion about quartering?

He believes that it is barbaric.

Why is Charles Darnay on trial?

He was accused of treason for giving France information to help the French in the American Revolution.

When did Dr. Manette and Lucie meet Charles Darnay?

They met him five years ago on the ferry ride from Paris to London.

What does Cruncher compare watching a trial to?

He compares it to watching the people in an insane asylum. Both were popular past times, but you had to pay to see people at the asylum, while watching a trial was free.

What charges did the Attorney General present to Darnay?

1. He was accused of traveling to France a number of times just as the American Revolution broke out.

2. Any help to France is treason because France supports the Americans.

3. Darnay refused to to explain why he traveled to France so much.

4. One of the witnesses found evidence in Darnay's belongings.

How does the Solicitor-General discredit John Barsad's testimony?

He suggests that Barsad is not credible because he was in debtor's prison, he cheated at gambling, and he owes Darnay money. The Solicitor-General also suggested that Barsad planted evidence.

How does the Solicitor-General discredit Roger Cly's testimony?

He suggests that Cly is a thief, and he is a friend of Barsad's. This means that they would probably work together to put Darnay in prison.

How is Lucie's testimony both helpful and hurtful to Darnay?

1. Darnay was helpful and king to the Manettes on the ferry to London.

2. He had a conversation with two Frenchmen before getting on the ferry.

3. Darnay admitted that he has a secret business in France.

4. Darnay admitted that he will make more trips back to France.

5. Darnay seems to support the American Revolution.

6. He was traveling under a fake identity.

How does Mr. Carton help Mr. Stryver discredit the testimony of the witness who was in the Dover mail with Mr. Lorry five years earlier?

Carton writes a note to Stryver suggesting that he ask the witness if he notices any resemblance between Carton and Darnay. The crowd is shocked by the two men's similar appearances.

What is revealed about Mr. Carton's character by his behavior towards Lucie and Charles Darnay?

He is kind to Lucie because he likes her, but he is rude to Darnay. Carton is very unlikeable, but he is intelligent and observant.

How does the theme of resurrection apply to Darnay's exemption from execution?

Most trials held for treason ended in a conviction, so everyone thought that Darnay was going to die for sure. However, he was pronounced not guilty, and was recalled to life.

Who is Mr. Stryver, and how does he use Carton?

Stryver is an arrogant, bulky man. He forces Carton to do all of the work, but Stryver takes all of the credit.

Why is Carton so rude to Darnay?

1. Darnay is what Carton wishes he could have been.

2. Carton likes Lucie, but he knows that Lucie would prefer Darnay.

3. Carton doesn't want people to become close to him, so he pushes them away with his rudeness.

What does Carton confess to himself after meeting with Darnay?

Carton admits that he actually likes Darnay.

What is Stryver's secret to success as an attorney?

He has Carton do all of the legal paperwork.

What does Carton look like when he is working at Stryver's desk?

He is concentrated on work, is drinking heavily, and has wet towels wrapped around his head.

What do we learn about Carton's childhood, and what does Carton blame for his miserable life?

We learn that Carton used to have to do the other boys' homework just like he does Stryver's homework now. Carton blames his bad luck.

What is the significance of people's calling Carton Stryver's jackal?

Jackals find and hunt their own prey, but the lions get the jackals' meat. Carton is the jackal because he does all of the work, and Stryver is the lion because he gets all of the credit.

What character trait of Carton's are revealed in The Jackal?

It is revealed that Carton is a heavy drinker and that he is an underachiever.

What is Ms. Pross's complaint of hundreds of people entering the Manette home an example of?

It is an example of hyperbole.

Why do the masses of suitors bother Ms. Pross?

Ms. Pross is afraid that the suitors will take Lucie away from her.

Who is Solomon?

Solomon was Ms. Pross's brother who left her poor.

What questions does Mr. Lorry ask Ms. Pross about Dr. Manette and his shoe making tools?

Mr. Lorry asks if Dr. Manette talk about his time in prison, and does he remember who imprisoned him.

Why is Dr. Manette afraid to remember his past?

He is afraid that if he remembers his past, that he will lose himself to the prisoner and begin making shoes again.

What is suggested about Darnay's story about the prisoner's letters that were found the Tower of London?

It is suggested that Dr. Manette wrote letters and hid them in the Bastille.

What do the footsteps that Lucie, Carton, and Darnay talk about represent at the end of Hundreds of People?

The footsteps represent the mobs of the coming French Revolution.

What effect does Dickens achieve at the beginning of Monseigneur in Town, and how does he achieve it?

Dickens creates a comical tone by describing the excess of the rich. He achieves this effect by talking about the Monseigneur having four servants serve chocolate to him.

Who is the Farmer-General, and what is his relationship to the Monseigneur?

The Farmer-General is the Monseigneur's brother-in-law. The Farmer-General wanted a good family name and the Monseigneur wanted more money. So, the Monseigneur allowed the Farmer-General to marry his sister.

Why is the Marquis annoyed with the Mender of Roads?

The Mender of Roads didn't alert the Marquis earlier about the man hiding beneath his carriage. The Mender of Roads also did not have any important information about the man.

How did the poor woman's husband die in Monseigneur in the Country, and what did the woman request of the Marquis?

He died of hunger, so the woman asked the Marquis for something to mark her husband's grave.

What family connection is implied at the end of Monseigneur in the Country?

It is suggested that Darnay is the Marquis's nephew and heir.

What is the family relationship between Charles Darnay and the Marquis?

The Marquis is Darnay's uncle.

What evidence is there that suggests that Darnay suspects his uncle of helping to charge Darnay with treason?

Darnay says that he thinks his uncle helped to make the English suspicious of Darnay's trips to France.

What were the reasons for Darnay's frequent trips to France?

Darnay had family business, and he felt that he had to do something for his dead mother.

Why does Darnay plan to abandon his uncle's chateau when he inherits the castle?

He thinks that it is a terrible place because of the Evremonde's misdeeds.

What does the note attached to the knife tell the reader about the identity of the Marquis's murderer?

It was signed Jacques, which means that a revolutionary killed the Marquis.

How does Darnay earn his living in England?

He is a French tutor, and he taught French literature.

What are the two promises in the chapter Two Promises?

1. If Darnay marries Lucie, he will not separate Lucie from her father.

2. Manette will put in a good word to Lucie for Darnay.

What promise about Darnay's past does Charles make to Dr. Manette?

Charles promises to reveal his true name on the day of his and Lucie's marriage.

What does Dr. Manette's reaction to Darnay's attempt to reveal his actual name suggest?

It suggests that Manette might know who Darnay actually is, but Manette doesn't want to know until he has to.

What evidence is there that Manette is disturbed by the idea of Lucie and Darnay getting married?

Manette begins making shoes.

How does Stryver's view of marriage differ from Darnay's?

Stryver thinks that he's doing Lucie a favor by offering to marry her. He believes that marriage is a business transaction. Darnay, however, loves Lucie and is willing to accept Dr. Manette into his family.

Why does Stryver suggest that Carton should consider finding a wife for himself?

Carton needs someone to look after him.

What does Mr. Lorry say to Stryver to discourage him from proposing to Lucie?

Lorry says that if Lucie rejects his proposal, than it could be painful for everyone involved in the situation. Lorry offers to find out what Lucie's answer could be.

How does Mr. Stryver handle the situation when Lorry visits him about proposing to Lucie?

Stryver pretends to be relieved that Lucie does not want to marry him, and that he is sorry for considering it in the first place. He calls Lucie a foolish girl and believes that he is better off without her.

Who is the Fellow of Delicacy suggested by the title of the chapter, "The Fellow of Delicacy"?

The Fellow of Delicacy suggested because, on the outside, he is socially acceptable and is a good prospect for a husband. However, on the inside, he is arrogant and lacks understanding about Lucie and love.

Is Mr. Lorry's role in Stryver's proposal consistent with his claim that Lorry is a man of business?

No, because Lorry is involved with the Manette family business.