Tale of Two Cities Book 2 Ch. 1-12 Quiz

Charles Darnay

French aristocrat born into the Evrémonde family. He is the nephew of Marquis and uses his mother's maiden name. He is accused for Treason. He chooses to live in England so he is not associated with the cruel behavior of his family in France

Sydney Carton

An insolent, indifferent, and alcoholic attorney who works with Stryver. Carton has no real prospects in life and doesn't seem to be in pursuit of any. He is called the jackal because he does all the work for Stryver and gets no credit.

John Barsad

British spy who swears that patriotism is his only motive. He falsely claims to be a virtuous man of upstanding reputation.

Roger Cly

British spy who swears that patriotism alone inspires all of his actions. He feigns honesty but in fact constantly participates in conniving schemes.

Mr. Stryver

An ambitious lawyer, he dreams of climbing the social ladder. Unlike his associate, Sydney Carton, he is bombastic, proud, and foolish. He is called the lion because he does well in his cases and gives all his work to Carton.

Gabelle

The postmaster and taxing functionary for the Marquis

Marquis Evrémonde

Charles Darnay's uncle, he is a French aristocrat who embodies an inhumanly cruel caste system. He shows absolutely no regard for human life and wishes that the peasants of the world would be exterminated.

Jackal

Sydney Carton; it appears that, while Mr. Stryver very deftly presents each case, it is his legal acumen that helps win them, though Stryver gets all the credit—a reference to how the jackals help the lions with the kill, while the lions take all the glory.

Lion

Mr. Stryver; he very deftly presents each case, it is Carton's legal acumen that helps win them, though Stryver gets all the credit—a reference to how the jackals help the lions with the kill, while the lions take all the glory.

How does the opening of this section of the novel compare with the opening on page one?

There's a juxtaposition. The owners of Tellson's are proud to have it be such a bleak place

Description of Tellson's bank.

old-fashioned, very small, very dark, very ugly, very incommodious

In what ways is working in Tellson's like being in prison?

The bank hides clerks who go to work at Tellson's as young men until they become old. Additionally, Tellson's literally sends people to their deaths; the bank identifies forgers, debtors, counterfeiters, and petty thieves who eventually go to their graves under the harsh death penalty

Why does Dickens use such prison-like diction to describe Tellson's?

To describe how bleak and dismal it is

Comment on the quotation: "Death is Nature's remedy for all things."

No matter what happens in life-we die.

Comment on Dickens' choice of "Cruncher" as a name.

Cruncher works at a bank??

What does Jerry do for Tellson's bank?

Jerry is an odd-job man at Tellson's.

Why is it funny to read that Jerry Cruncher uses the phrase "Anna Dominoes"?

He means to say Anno Domini or A.D

What is a Harlequin?

A comic character in the Commedia dell'Arte (a form of Italian theatre) or pantomime who traditionally wears a multicolored, diamond-pattern costume

What did Jerry object to his wife doing? Why is she an "Aggerwayter"?

He objects to his wife praying. She is an aggravator because he thinks she is praying against him

How does Jerry behave toward his wife?

He abuses her and is rude

Why does he call himself "a honest tradesman"?

To make himself look honorable??; to justify what he's doing?

What does Little Jerry notice about his father's fingers?

That his fingers are always rusty

What is the Old Bailey?

Courthouse where people usually get death sentences

Tyburn

gallow in London where people were publicly hung until 1783

Newgate

Prison in London that was notorious for its inhumane conditions

gaol

British spelling for jail

pillory

Device consisting of a wooden board with holes for the head and hands, in which petty offenders were locked and exposed to public scorn

whipping-post

Institution post where people were tied in order to be whipped in public

What does it mean to draw and quarter someone?

to fasten to a hurdle/post; quarter-- behead

What is treason?

The crime of betraying one's country-- murdering someone whom the murderer owed allegiance

Why is Charles Darnay charged with treason? Describe Darnay. How had Darnay pleaded to this charge?

He is accused of betraying the English king, George III, by assisting Louis XVI, the king of France.

Who are John Barsad and Roger Cly?

They are hired spies and traitors who acted as witnesses in court

How does the cross-examination go?

Mr. Stryver cross-examines John Barsad and Roger Cly and comes to the conclusion that they are English spies who have framed Darnay.

When Mr. Lorry testifies, how does the attorney lead the witness?

The attorney general tries to describe the passenger that Mr. Lorry saw to look like the prisoner

Why does it pain Miss Manette to give testimony?

She doesn't want to hurt or put the prisoner in trouble

Why can't Dr. Manette identify Darnay as one of the passengers who was on the packet several years ago?

Dr. Manette had just been released and has no recollection of the day.

Why is Darnay acquitted? How is Stryver able to get Darnay acquitted?

Darnay is acquitted when the jury sees that Darnay and Carton look alike. Stryver is able to get him acquitted because it was brought to his attention by his assistant lawyer, Carton.

This section of the novel is subtitled "The Golden Thread." Why is Lucie described as "the golden thread" in this chapter?

Lucie unites her father's past and present and is recalling him to life

What does Carton think of himself?

He thinks he is not likeable. He wants to be like Darnay.

This chapter is called "The Jackal." What is a jackal and which qualities are associated with it?

someone who performs menial tasks for another.

What impression does the reader get about Stryver? About Carton? About their relationship?

They are both drunks and "friends"

Why does Stryver call Carton "Memory"?

He has a good memory, which helps him in court

Why is Stryver a lion and Carton a jackal?

Stryver is a lion because he does all the talking in court and is successful in all the cases; Carton is a jackal because he does all the work for Stryver and gets no credit.

Why does Carton deny Miss Manette's beauty?

Carton calls Lucie a golden haired doll so Stryver doesn't know that he likes her

Why does Dr. Manette keep his shoemaker's tools?

Mr. Lorry believes it reminds him of his imprisonment. It was the thing that kept him alive and gave him something to do in prison

Why does Miss Pross say, "Never imagine anything. Have no imagination at all?

She says this to Mr. Lorry because she doesn't have an imagination

Dickens describes the corner where the Manettes live as a "wonderful corner for echoes." What specific sound does he make comment on re-echoing?

The tread of coming feet

What discovery in the Tower of London does Darnay tell Dr. Manette about? What is Manette's reaction to this information?

Darnay says that workmen found an old dungeon with walls that had carvings from prisoners. A prisoner carved the word "dig" and there were ashes of paper. Dr. Manette didn't say anything and turned ill.

What promise does Carton make to Lucie in regard to these footsteps?

That a crowd was coming into their lives

What happens as the Marquis is leaving the area?

His carriage runs over a child

Who is the child's father? How does the Marquis compensate the father for the loss

Gaspard is the child's father. The Marquis tosses the father a coin

Who is the Marquis expecting?

Monsieur Charles

Who were the Gorgons in Greek mythology?

one of three sisters with snakes for hair. Turns the beholder into stone

Who is the Marquis' nephew?

Charles Darnay

What does this nephew think of his uncle

He thinks he is selfish

How is Darnay making a living? Why must he work? In addition to working in London, where else does Darnay work?

Darnay is a tutor in England. He also reads with undergrads at Cambridge. He must work because he wants to live like a common man instead of part of the aristocracy

Darnay is not using his last real name while he is in England. Where did his last name come from?

His father. He goes by his mother's maiden name

Why does Manette stop Darnay from saying any more?

He is afraid it will be bad and doesn't want to know until the day he and Lucie get married

What promise does Darnay make to Manette about revealing this information?

He promises to tell Dr. Manette when he and Lucie get married

What is the nature of the friendship between Stryver and Carton?

Stryver constantly bullies and teases Carton while he thinks highly of himself

What is Carton's reaction to Stryver's declaration of love for Lucie?

He hardly reacts and is not surprised

What is funny about the discussion between Mr. Lorry and Stryver?

Stryver is the exact opposite of what he thinks he is

What is the "large pill [Styver] had to swallow"? What is his "way out if this" Situation?

The large pill he had to swallow was Mr. Lorry's opinion. His way out of it was "to put everyone in the wrong"