A TALE OF TWO CITIES BOOK CLUB - WEEK 10 - BOOK 3 - CHAPTERS 3 - 6

A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens

CHAPTER 3 - THE SHADOW

FRANCE

What are your thoughts on Madame DeFarge and Vengeance especially after this chapter?

A note arrives from Dr. Manette to Lorry and from Charles to Lucie by DeFarge. When they walk out to deliver the note to Lucie, there in the courtyard are Madame DeFarge and her friend, Vengeance. We can tell immediately that Lorry is troubled by the appearance of Madame DeFarge, and he askes about her coming. DeFarge says that it's purely so she can see Lucie and know who she is to keep her safe. I don't know about you, but that woman makes my skin crawl and rightly so. Do any of us believe for a second that she has Lucie's safety in mind? Not a chance! Think about what happens next. The note is delivered to Lucie who is so overcome with gratitude that she kisses Madame DeFarge's hand. Madame DeFarge immediately pulls back. Lucie's gets a "check' in her spirit and is terrified. Madame DeFarge sees Little Lucie and asks about her. We have this powerful moment of imagery as the dark shadow that covers Madame DeFarge slides over onto Little Lucie. All of our momma hearts cry out in protest. Then to frost the cake, Lucie asks for mercy for her husband. Madame DeFarge responds that they have begged for mercy for their husbands, children, and sister-women for years to no avail. Does Lucie really think that the trouble of one woman could mean anything to her? The woman is an absolute snake. We are so far removed from punishing those that committed the horrific crimes on the poor. Now, the goal is to wipe a class off the face of the earth.

CHAPTER 4 - CALM IN THE STORM

FRANCE

Did you catch that 1100 people, male and female, died over the four days that Manette was gone? Since Manette is a doctor, he has been able to gain access to Darnay for an "examination," He also tends to the needs of other prisoners. As we follow him around, we get a deeper picture of what life around the prison looks like. At one point, Manette walks through the gate and passes out. When he comes to, he is struck by the craziness of the fact that he is helped by a group of "Samaritans" that are sitting on top of a pile of bodies. One moment they're ready to help. The next minute they're ready to kill again.

Just a historical heads up = by this time the king and the queen have been beheaded.

Manette is convinced that he will be able to get Darnay freed to be able to help his daughter who helped him be "recalled to life." (Have you noticed the continuing theme of resurrection in this book? ) By this point, Darnay has been in prison for 1 year and 3 months!

I'm going to end this chapter with a comment on La Guillotine. The jokes, the replacement of Crosses worn around the neck for it. It has become the faith and religion for those in the uprising. They are consumed by it.

CHAPTER 5 - THE WOOD SAWYER

Dr. Manette tells Lucie there is a window where Darnay could look out and possibly see her. She won't see him, and she mustn't make a sign that she is there for him.

Remember our road mender? He is now a wood sawyer and lives close to where Lucie goes and stands. It doesn't take long before he notices her and talks with her. One day when she has Little Lucie with her, he is particularly gruesome. As he cuts his wood, he pretends to be chopping people's heads off just like Samson does. (Samson is the name of the man who runs the guillotine.) He proceeds to pretend to kill an entire family. Lucie gives him drink money, so he'll leave them alone.

One day as she stands in her spot, Lucie is surrounded by a dancing mob . They are dancing a horrific dance called The Carmagnole, and Lucie is caught up in the middle of it. Dr. Manette assures her that she won't be harmed. As they turn to go, they see Madame DeFarge walking. I think Dickens gives Lucie a double dose of terror by having her show up right after the dance. Interestingly, all of this happens on the cusp of Darnay's appearance in court. It is finally his turn.

At the end of this chapter, we have a mysterious visitor that arrives and is standing with Lorry. Any guesses as to who it is?!

CHAPTER 6 - Triumph

FRANCE

This chapter title gives most of the chapter away, but leave it to Dickens to throw a twist in at the end.

A few things to note in this chapter.

-Darnay is charged for being an emigrant. What is the difference between an emigrant and an immigrant?

-Gabelle (the reason Darnay came) has been let go, because they now have Darnay as a result. I have to admit I felt a bit like I was watching a crime show where they get the littler fish and use them to catch the bigger fish and work right up the ladder.

-Manette is able to get Darnay free.

-Irony that the very people who were ready to tear Darnay to pieces rush around him and hug him instead. The crowd puts Darnay in a chair and carries him home to Lucie.

-But if everything is okay and over, why is Lucie trembling so much at the end of the chapter?