Chapters 13-24 of Book the Second


1) What did you think of Chapter 13’s interaction between Lucie and Sydney Carton?

2) In Chapter 14, what did you think of Mr. Cruncher’s “fishing trip?” Did you see a parallel or a contrast with the theme of “recalled to life” and with Mrs. Cruncher’s religious beliefs?

3) As we begin Chapter 15, we read “No vivacious Bacchanalian flame leaped out of the pressed grape of Monsieur Defarge: but, a smouldering fire that burnt in the dark, lay hidden in the dregs of it.” – do you think that Dickens captures the motivations of these men who will become Revolutionaries?

4) Madame Defarge’s knitting is explained in this chapter, “if madame my wife undertook to keep the register in her memory alone, she would not lose a word of it--not a syllable of it. Knitted, in her own stitches and her own symbols, it will always be as plain to her as the sun. Confide in Madame Defarge. It would be easier for the weakest poltroon that lives, to erase himself from existence, than to erase one letter of his name or crimes from the knitted register of Madame Defarge." – there have been references and allusions to this knitting throughout the book. Is it an effective metaphor and explanation?

5) As events move along, what do you think of Madame and Monseiur Defarge being equal partners? Also, what do you think of Saint Antoine being personified?

6) A meeting between Darney and Manette just prior to the wedding causes Manette to relapse. What do you think was the topic, and of the relapse? What did you think of Lorry’s discussion with Manette, and of the way that he and Miss Pross solved the issue?

7) Carton is interceded for by Lucie again when she returns from their honeymoon. Was this an effective connection to the beginning of the section?

8) The passage of time is marked with sorrows and the echoes of footsteps in the next section. What do you think of the way this was handled, and of the events that occurred, and those who were included as extended family?

9) The section ends as the Revolution begins and Darney is called back to Paris, “(t)he unseen force was drawing him fast to itself, now, and all the tides and winds were setting straight and strong towards it. He left his two letters with a trusty porter, to be delivered half an hour before midnight, and no sooner; took horse for Dover; and began his journey. "For the love of Heaven, of justice, of generosity, of the honour of your noble name!" was the poor prisoner's cry with which he strengthened his sinking heart, as he left all that was dear on earth behind him, and floated away for the Loadstone Rock.” What did you think of these events and was the foundation for the final section well laid?

10) Anything I’ve missed (this was a packed section, so I assume there will be, grin!)

Quotations from this site.