A Tale of Two Cities​: Study Questions #1 Book I – Book II, Chapter 2 1. What conditions prevail in England and France in 1775? (Chapter 1) Lawlessness
2. How does Dickens create an atmosphere of mystery and danger? (Chapter 2) Through the character’s behavior
Mist and fog (weather)
3. How is Jarvis Lorry characterized? (Chapter 4) Elderly business man
4. What is the meaning of “recalled to life”? (Chapter 4) Dr. Manette was released from prison after 18 years
5. What is the significance of the broken wine­cask episode? (Chapter 5) Coming of a revolution
6. Describe Madame Defarge. (Chapter 5) Stout with large hands and strong features to match her forceful character
7. What have eighteen years in prison done to Dr. Manette? (Chapter 6) Made him older and damaged his mind
8. Why is it ironic that Jerry Cruncher works for Tellson’s? (Book II, Chapter 1) He is disreputable in manners and appearance
9. Describe Charles Darnay. (Chapter 2) Intense and handsome, young gentleman
A Tale of Two Cities​: Study Questions #2 Book II: Chapters 3 – 9 1. What is the atmosphere of the court? (Chapter 3) The atmosphere of the court was ugly, dark, and unpleasant, since carton was put on trial
with disgusting flies above him hungrily ready to devour him. It also causes many illnesses.
The people in the court yells for the death penalty to continue.
2. Why is Darnay acquitted? (Chapter 3) Because of similarities in looks between Darnay and Carton
3. Explain Dr. Manette’s reaction to Charles Darnay after the trial. (Chapter 4) He seems to recognize him, and gives a look of distrust and concern. Later, after
Charles asks for Lucy's hand in marriage , Dr. Manette begins to suspect who Charles
really is. Dr. Manette begins to fall back into the madness caused by his imprisonment.
4. Describe Sydney Carton. (Chapter 5) Sydney Carton's a tough nut to crack. At twenty-five, he's obviously brilliant: he
manages to make one of the stupidest men in London, Mr. Stryver, into one of the
most prominent lawyers of his time.
5. What events disturb the peaceful Manette household? (Chapter 6) The Manette household has two floors in the back and there is a court with trees
6. What is the significance of the scene with the Monseigneur and his hot chocolate? (Chapter 7) 3 servants and on a silver platter and pot
7. How does the Marquis react to the death of the child? (Chapter 7) He doesn't have a single pity or love for the peasants at all. He would rather have them
disappear off the surface if this world.
8. Why is it significant that the Marquis is steeped in crimson by the setting sun? (Chapter 8) Because the crimson signifies the blood of the people he has murdered, and foretells
his coming murder!
9. Why is the Marquis upset by what the road mender has seen? (Chapter 8) He demands to know what the road-mender was staring at, and the man responds that
someone was holding the bottom of the carriage.
10. How does Darnay’s philosophy differ from his uncle’s? (Chapter 9) The heroic nobleman, Charles Darnay, renounces his status in opposition to his uncle, the
Marquis de St Evremonde.
11. How is the murder of the Marquis foreshadowed? What hints are given as to the identity of the murderer? (Chapter 9) The father of the small boy that the Marquis kills with his carriage, kills Marquis to avenge
the death. His name is Gaspard.
A Tale of Two Cities​: Study Questions #3 Book II: Chapters 10 – 17 1. What is Dr. Manette’s reaction to Darnay’s request to court Lucie? (Chapter 10) 2. Why doesn’t Dr. Manette want to know Darnay’s true identity? (Chapter 10) 3. What does Sydney Carton reveal about himself in his visit to Lucie? (Chapter 13) 4. Why does Jerry Cruncher stop to see the physician after the funeral of Roger Cly? (Chapter 14) 5. What does the road mender tell Monsieur Defarge? (Chapter 15) 6. What effect does the story have on Defarge and the others? (Chapter 15) 7. What decision is made after the revolutionaries hear the road mender’s story? (Chapter 15) 8. What is the significance of Madame Defarge’s knitting? (Chapter 15) 9. Who is John Barsad? Why does Madame Defarge enter his name on her register? (Chapter 16) 10. Contrast Monsieur Defarge’s attitude toward the revolution with that of his wife. (Chapter 16) 11. How does Monsieur Defarge react to the news that Lucie Manette and Charles Darnay are getting married? (Chapter 16) 12. Describe the conversation between Lucie and her father the night before her wedding. (Chapter 17) A Tale of Two Cities​: Study Questions #4 Book II: Chapters 18 – 24 1. Why is Dr. Manette troubled after his conversation with Charles Darnay? How does he show that he is troubled? (Chapter 18) 2. Why is it important to Dr. Manette that he keep his bench and tools? (Chapter 19) 3. How does Mr. Lorry convince Dr. Manette to give up his bench. How do Mr. Lorry and Miss Pross get rid of the bench and tools? (Chapter 19) 4. What does Sydney Carton ask Darnay? (Chapter 20) 5. What do the echoes and footsteps foreshadow? (Chapter 21) 6. Why does Monsieur Defarge ask for 105 North Tower? (Chapter 21) 7. What does the fire symbolize? (Chapter 23) 8. Why does Darnay feel he must go to Paris? What does he think will happen there? (Chapter 24) A Tale of Two Cities​: Study Questions #5 Book III: Chapters 1 – 8 1. What is ironic about Darnay’s arrest? (Chapter 1) 2. Why does Dr. Manette think that he can save Charles Darnay? (Chapter 2) 3. How does Madame Defarge react when she meets Lucie Darnay? (Chapter 3) 4. Why do Monsieur and Madame Defarge visit Lucie Darnay? Of what importance is little Lucie to Madame Defarge? (Chapter 3) 5. How has Darnay’s imprisonment been good for Dr. Manette? (Chapter 4) 6. Describe the atmosphere at Charles Darnay’s trial. (Chapter 6) 7. Why is Darnay arrested again? (Chapter 7) 8. Why does Miss Pross scream at the wine shop? (Chapter 8) 9. How does Sydney Carton persuade John Barsad to help him rescue Darnay? (Chapter 8) 10. What important information does Jerry Cruncher have about Roger Cly? How does this information help Carton’s cause? (Chapter 8) A Tale of Two Cities​: Study Questions #6 Book III: Chapters 9 – 15 1. What does Carton purchase at the chemist’s shop? (Chapter 9) 2. What does Carton recall as he walks at night? (Chapter 9) 3. Who is the third citizen to denounce Darnay? Explain. (Chapter 10) 4. What is the meaning of the words “A life you love”? (Chapter 11) 5. Why does Carton go to the wine shop? (Chapter 12) 6. Why is Madame Defarge intent on getting revenge? (Chapter 12) 7. How does Carton save Charles Darnay? (Chapter 13 8. Why does Carton drug Darnay? (Chapter 13) 9. What do Miss Pross and Madame Defarge symbolize? (Chapter 14) 10. Why does Sydney Carton appear sublime and prophetic? (Chapter 15)