A Tale of Two Cities Study Guide
BOOK THE SECOND--The Golden Thread
Chapters 1-14
Since there are twenty-four chapters in this section of the novel, we cannot study these in the same detail as we did the
highly-significant, first six expository chapters.
In "The Golden Thread," which opens in London five years after Dr. Manette's escape from France, Dickens satirizes
English justice (which Temple Bar indicates was not nearly so enlightened as Dickens's Middle Class readers liked to
imagine), lawyers, and courts of law, all of which Dickens knew from his father's imprisonment for debt in 1824 at
Marshalsea (notoriously depicted in Little Dorrit, 1855-7), from his own employment at the age of 15 as a lawyer's clerk,
and from his stint as a shorthand reporter in the Courts of Doctors (of Law) Commons. The Pickwick Papers (1837),
David Copperfield (1849-50), Bleak House (1852-3), and the novel following A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations
(1861), all reveal Dickens's first-hand knowledge of the British legal system (and generally reflect his contempt for it).
In the second book Dickens divides his time almost evenly between France and England, but clearly it is France's political,
economic, and especially its social problems that fascinate him.
Contrast the French system of "justice," as presented in Book One, with that of England, as given in Book Two.
Book II, Chapter 1: "Five Years Later"
1. 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”?
2. What is implied by Jerry’s anger at his wife’s “flopping”, the mud on his boots and the rust on his hands?
3. What effect does Dickens achieve by the scene in the Cruncher home?
Book II, Chapter 2: "A Sight"
1. For what crime is Charles Darnay on trial?
2. When, according to their testimony, did Dr. Manette and Lucie meet Charles Darnay?
3. With what other popular “entertainment” does Jerry compare attending a trial? How do the two compare?
4. What changed impression do we get of Dr. Manette?
Book II, Chapter 3. "A Disappointment"
1. Briefly outline the charges the Attorney General present against Mr. Darnay?
2. How does Stryver discredit the prosecution's first witness, John Barsad?
3. Lorry's testimony merely establishes that Darnay was on the Dover-Calais packet; what damage and help does Lucy's
do?
4. How does Stryver confuse the witness who testifies to Darnay's being "in that garrison-and-dockyard town" (p. 72)?
5. What is revealed about Mr. Carton’s character by his behavior toward Lucie and Mr. Darnay?
6. What impact does the Biblical allusion to Judas (you might have to look up who Judas was) create?
7. One of the major themes in this novel is the idea that resurrection is possible. How does this theme apply to Charles
Darnay’s acquittal for treason?
Book II, Chapter 4: "Congratulatory"
1. Briefly describe Mr. Stryver. How does he use Mr. Carton?
2. Why is Carton so rude to Darnay?
3. What does Carton confess to himself after meeting Darnay?
4. We note that Dr. Manette's "face had become frozen . . . in a very curious look at Darnay: an intent look, deepening into
a frown of dislike and distrust, not even unmixed with fear" (p. 78). What two devices is Dickens using here?
5. What suggestion does Dickens implant in the reader's mind by the closing line of this chapter?
Book II, Chapter 5: "The Jackal"
1. What is the secret to Stryver’s success as an attorney?
2. What do we learn about Carton’s childhood? What does Carton blame for his miserable life?
3. What is the significance of people calling Carton Stryver’s jackal? What is the relationship between the so-called Jackal
and Lion?
4. What predominant character trait of Carton’s is revealed in this chapter?
Book II, Chapter 6: "Hundreds of People”
1. Miss Pross’ complaint about “hundred of people” is an example of what figure of speech? Why do the visits of these
“hundred of people” bother her?
2. Why is Miss Pross jealous of Darnay and Carton?
3. Who is Solomon?
4. What is suggested by Sydney Carton’s story about the prisoner’s letter found in the Tower of London?
5. Comment on Dickens use of foreshadowing at the end of the chapter when Lucie, Carton, and Darnay discuss the
crowds in the streets of London?
6. What are the two significant meanings of the title of this chapter?
Book II, Chapter 7: "Monsiegneur in the Town”
1. Why does Dickens heap verbally ironic sarcasm (e.g., “his sanctuary of sanctuaries”) on Monsiegneur?
2. What tone does Dickens achieve at the beginning of this chapter? How does he achieve it?
3. Why had Monsiegneur taken his sister from the convent and married her off (below her social station) to a very rich
Farmer-General?
4. What has passed between Monsiegneur and the Marquis?
5. How does the Marquis rationalize the accident?
6. Read the following passage. What do you think the water in the fountain may symbolize in this story?
“The water of the fountain ran, …so much life in the city rant into death according to rule, time and tide
Waited for no man,…all things ran their course.” (pg. 105)
7. In classical mythology the three Fates spun, wove, and cut the thread of a person’s life--how does Dickens connect
Madame Defarge with these supernatural beings (respond from the accident scene to the end of the chapter).
Book II, Chapter 8: "Monseigneur in the Country”
1. Why is the Marquis the annoyed with the Mender of the roads?
2. What accounts for the pathetic conditions of the crops, villages, and its people?
3. How did the poor woman’s husband die? What does she want from the Marquis?
4. In the last chapter the Marquis thought of the peasants as rats and dogs, and here he addresses the road mender as “pig”.
Why is his rudeness ironic here?
5. What family connection is suggested at the end of this chapter?
Book II, Chapter 9: "The Gorgon’s Head”
NOTE: In classical mythology, the gorgons were creatures so repulsive that the very sight of one would turn the beholder
into stone--indeed the hero Perseus uses the head of the gorgon Medusa, whom he has slain by looking into his shiny shield
rather than directly at her, to turn the Titan Atlas into a mountain (Gibraltar). With this information, how is the title of
this chapter appropriate?
1. What is the family relationship between Darnay and the Marquis?
2. What evidence is there that Darnay suspects the Marquis contributed to the treason charges he faced in England?
3. Read the paragraph on pg. 116 “I believe that if you…” and the passage beginning on pg. 117 “We have done nothing
wrong…” and ending on pg. 118 “…and power in vain.” What important information has been alluded in that passage?
4. Why does Darnay plan to abandon the property of his family when he inherits it from his uncle?
5. In the following passage, to what mystery is Darnay alerted to by his uncle’s behavior?
“As he bent his head in his most courtly manner, there was a secrecy in his smiling face, and he conveyed an air of
mystery to those words, which struck the eyes and ears of his nephew forcibly.” (pg. 119)
6. What does the redness of the rising sun shining on the outside of the chalet suggest?
7. How does the note around the murder weapon explain why the Marquis was killed and who might be behind it?
Book II, Chapter 10: "Two Promises”
1. What is the chronological setting relative to Chapter 9?
2. How does Darnay earn his living in England?
3. What are the two promises suggested by the title of this chapter?
4. What promised concerning his past does Darnay make to Dr. Manette?
5. What does Dr. Manette’s reaction to Darnay’s attempt to reveal his true identity suggest?
6. Why does the Doctor suffer a relapse and return to his cobbler’s bench?
7. What is particularly noble about Charles’ profession of love for Lucie, made to her father?
Book II, Chapter 11: “A Companion Picture”
1. What does the title of this chapter suggest?
2. How does Stryver’s attitude toward marriage differ from Darnay’s?
3. Why does Stryver continually criticize and belittle Carton for his social lapses? Why does Carton take such abuse?
Book II, Chapter 12: "The Fellow of Delicacy”
1. What does Mr. Lorry say to Stryver to discourage him from proposing to Lucie?
2. Is Mr. Lorry’s role in Styver’s proposal consitent with his “man of business” role?
3. Who is the Fellow of Delicacy suggested in the chapter title? Why?
Book II, Chapter 13: "The Fellow of No Delicacy”
1. Why does Dickens ironically refer to Carton as “the fellow with no delicacy”?
2. Why does Carton say he is grateful that Lucie does not love or want to marry him?
3. What secret does Carton ask Lucie to keep as the “last confidence “ of his life?
4. Note the foreshadowing in the Carton’s conversation with Lucie (pg. 144) and the comment “I would embrace any
sacrifice for you and for those dear to you.” After reading this conversation, describe what would greatly appeal to the
Victorians reading this and what is being foreshadowed?
Book II, Chapter 14: "The Honest Tradesman”
1. Before we actually see Jerry in his true professional capacity, what clues does Dickens provide to add suspense?
2. List 3 examples of mischief in which the crowds following Roger Cly’s funeral engage after the casket is buried. Why
does the mob finally disperse?
3. What does the absence of a body in the grave suggest?
4. Who is/was Roger Cly, and where have we met him before?
5. How is the title of this chapter ironic?
6. What purpose does this chapter serve in relation to the main plot of the book?
7. Although the mob is genial, its feelings against the establishment run as deep as those of the denizens of St. Antoine,
how is the senseless violence of the Revolution foreshadowed here?
In his novels, stories, and other works, Dickens placed great importance on the names he gave his characters.
Names, for Dickens, were often a type of shorthand, a way of communicating something essential about a
character. In A Tale of Two Cities, Stryver is the ambitious lawyer working his way up the social ladder. Another
example isLucie, whose name comes from the Latin word for “light.” Notice how often Dickens refers to her as a
bright and shining example to inspire the other characters. As you read, look for the meanings of other symbolic
names in A Tale of Two Cities.
Jerry “Cruncher” _______________________________________________________
Evrémonde_____________________________________________________________
Charles Darnay _________________________________________________________
In Chapter 9, Dickens uses personification to enrich his description of a noble’s castle. Note some of the specifics
and what effect it creates.
Nature is a powerful element in A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens often uses natural phenomena to comment on what is
happening among the characters. Look at the two examples and explain how nature explains what is happening.
Book the Second, Chapter 5: Carton emerges from Stryver’s office after a long night of work.
Book the Second, Chapter 6: The other occurs during the summer thunderstorm at the Manettes’ house in Soho.
In these chapters of A Tale of Two Cities, events occur that have been caused by prior events and
that will profoundly influence events that happen later in the story. Use the chart on this page to
keep track of the causes of the events listed.
Cause
Darnay is on trial
because
Darnay is found innocent
because
Dr. Manette turns pale in the garden
because
The Marquis’s trip to the
country is interrupted
because
The mender of roads stares
at the Marquis’s carriage
because
Two places are set for dinner at
the Marquis’s chateau
because
Another “stone face” is added
to the chateau
because
Lorry must dissuade Stryver from
proposing to Lucie
because
Darnay does not tell Dr. Manette
his real name
because
Carton admires and loves Lucie
because
Effect
two spies gave evidence against him.