In Chapters 10-16 of Book 2, Dickens alludes to Greek mythology several times. The title of Chapter 9 is "The Gorgon's Head" which is one of the first allusions to Greek mythology in Book 2. However, more allusions begin as the text states "...like the heathen rustic who has for several centuries been on duty watching one stream - saving that Jerry had no expectation of their ever running dry" (159). This is stated as the funeral of Roger Cly is proceeding in the streets of London. The fact that a river is mentioned again when the text says "...the river being alarmingly near, and several voices remaking on the efficacy of cold immersion in bringing refractory members of the procession to recede…" (162) suggests that Dickens is alluding to the river Styx in Greek mythology, which was a river that formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworld. Timing this phrase at this point in the book when the funeral procession is occurring represents death and the transition from one life to the next. Another Greek mythology allusion is made as the text reads "Time was, when a poet sat upon a stool in a public place, and mused in the sight of men" and again in the words "Mr. Cruncher, sitting on a stool in a public place but not being a poet, mused as little as possible and looked about him" (160). Use of the verb muse is significant in this passage because the Muses are another group of Greek gods who are the goddesses of the arts and sciences. In this case, poetry is referred to in the text, so the goddesses Calliope and Erato are alluded to. According to mythology, the Muses were put in the world to help people forget about their sorrows and cares, which is something Jerry Cruncher needs to do. Lastly, knitting and Madame Defarge are a representation of the Fates. There are three Fates in Greek mythology and each has a different role, all of which include spinning the thread of life, measuring the length of life, and cutting the thread of life. The reason of Madame Defarge knitting is revealed in Chapter 15 when it is stated "...than to erase one letter of his name or crimes from the knitted register of Madame Defarge" (179), which shows that she is remembering people's crimes that could lead to the end of their life. The use of Greek mythology in A Tale of Two Cities represents death and forgetting this world and looking to the next.
Throughout Chapters 15 and 16, the main focus is the role and symbolism of knitting. Madame Defarge is a constantly present character in these chapters and is the person who is primarily associated with the act of knitting. In these chapters, there are two main symbolisms of knitting that are shown. In the important instances when the narrator specifies that she is knitting, Madame Defarge is a part of, yet not interacting with her surroundings. Until Monsieur Defarge’s conversation with his fellow revolutionaries clarifies that Madame Defarge’s knitting is her literally knitting or weaving together a memorized register of details and names for each person she has interacted with, it is not completely clear why she restrains from interaction in this way. From his statement, “It would be easier for the weakest poltroon that lives, to erase himself from existence, than to erase on letter of his name or crimes from the knitted register of Madame Defarge,” we can conclude with certainty that Madame Defarge’s knitting is a symbol for her observation and gathering of details for the register, and we are told once someone has been registered, it is nearly impossible for her to forget them (179). The second symbolism is revealed in the last sentence of Chapter 16 which reads, “So much was closing in about the women who sat knitting, knitting, that they their very selves were closing in around a structure yet unbuilt, where they were to sit knitting, knitting, counting dropping heads” (194). This sentence shows the role of knitting as foreshadowing for the French Revolution, and the reader learns that these women will witness the executions, which were a key part of the French Revolution, by the guillotine or unbuilt structure. It also exposes the connection between knitting and the destruction that was a result of the French Revolution. Through the many examples of knitting incorporated in these chapters, the narrator emphasizes the crucial role of Madame Defarge and her knitting.
Hallie Belle makes a good point about the secret life of Mr. Jerry Cruncher, and she concludes with the question "Why does Mr. Cruncher hate his wife?" I believe Mr. Cruncher is unhappy and embarrassed by being a "resurrection man". He cannot even be open with his family, the people that he should be most open with, about this secret. Instead, he refers to his night-time adventures as "going...a fishing. That's where I'm going to. Going a fishing" (165). The repetition in his response to young Jerry Cruncher indicates his being uncomfortable on the subject and his unwillingness to be honest. When he returns from "fishing" he is found "holding Mrs. Cruncher by the ears, and knocking the back of her head against the head board of the bed" (169). It was inferred that he doing this because "something had gone wrong" the previous night (168). Mrs. Cruncher expresses her disapproval of his doings in the night, and she tells him "I try to be a good wife, Jerry" (169). He angrily questions her: "Is it being a good wife to oppose your husband's business?" (169). Due to this single question, the reader is made aware of Mrs. Cruncher's knowledge about her husband's "business." Mr. Cruncher wants his wife's approval, but since he does not have this he seems to hate her. His business is the reason his marriage is falling apart and is the reason his son loses his innocence. I consider Mr. Cruncher's unhappiness with himself the reason he is so mean to his wife, and it is the reason his family is falling apart.
Throughout chapters 10, 11, and 13, the love rectangle arises. Each gentleman, Darnay, Stryver, and Carton, is willing to do whatever it takes for Lucie Manette. What will be enough though? In each chapter, a viewpoint of each bachelor is evaluated. Out of each approach to win Lucies heart, I think Mr. Darnay's approach was the most mature and appropriate. He went to Lucies father. That is a sign of respect. Talking about Darnay in chapter ten it says, "He had loved Lucie Manette from the hour of his danger. He had never heard a sound so sweet and dear as the sound of her compassionate voice; he had never seen a face so tenderly beautiful, as hers when it was confronted with his own on the edge of the grave that had been dug for him." (135)He seems to think Lucie is too good for him and that he is so in love, he could die. He then proceeds with confronting Dr. Manette. While they sit down, Mr. Manette already knows the topic of the conversation. He states it is a tough conversation to have considering he is not yet ready for his only daughter to fall in love considering so much of her life didn't include him. The point that I am trying to make is the fact that I think that even though Charles Darnay has a rough past and may not be the wealthiest, his love deserves Lucie more than Carton and Stryver. He isn't in it for the money or popularity, he's in it for Lucie herself.
In chapter 11, Mr. Stryver is talking to Mr. Carton about marring Lucie. The name of the chapter is “A Companion Picture” which I thought was somewhat ironic, because it appeared that he looked at her as an object, a pretty picture that he can hang on his wall and showoff to other people. He talks about how marring Lucie would be a prize for him and her. On p. 143, he sounds excited when he says that he is “not marring for money” like he is proud that he is making a sacrifice to propose to her although he is not getting a great fortune out of it. In chapter 12 p. 148, he says to Mr. Lorry “I am going to make an offer of myself to your agreeable little friend Miss. Manette.” When he calls Lucie agreeable and how he was going to offer himself, I wondered why he wanted to marry her in the first place because apparently he thinks he can find someone that’s better looking. If Stryver’s name means to go beyond then why is he settling for someone that he thinks is lower than him?
In Book 2, chapter 14 the fact that Jerry Cruncher keeps referring to himself as a “Honest Tradesman” suggests that he, Jerry Cruncher, needs to reassure himself that he is a honest tradesman. He keeps saying phrases such as, “If I, as a honest tradesman, succeed…”(141)telling his wife and son that he is a honest tradesman and they should respect him. In chapter 14 Mr. Cruncher says that he is a Honest Tradesman six times. Jerry also yells at his wife and tells her what she is doing wrong, just so that she will get off of his back about him neglecting his son and not being able to provide for Young Jerry. He also yells at her so that she will not tell Young Jerry what “fishing” really is because “fishing” is actually robbing graves of their bodies, he says “I’m going --- as your mother knows--- a fishing.”(143). Even though Young Jerry “…thought you [his dad] knowed everything…” (147), Mr. Cruncher does not and questions himself frequently. If Jerry Cruncher were not ashamed of his job, and knew he was a honest tradesman, he would tell his son.
It is ironic that Mr. Cruncher calls himself "a honest tradesman" because stealing is the farthest thing away from honesty (166). He also says that he is "going a fishing" which is lying and that is the exact opposite of telling the truth and being honest (165). Mr. Cruncher calls himself honest because he knows that what he does is wrong. When he refers himself as being honest it makes him feel good about the bad actions that he does at night. He knows that his wife is a good, religious woman and is the type of person that he wants to be, so he takes his anger out on her because he is jealous of her relationship with God. It is sad that young Jerry says that he wants to be a resurrection- man, like his father" and that in return Mr. Cruncher says, "Jerry, you honest tradesman, there's hope wot that boy will yet be a blessing to you, and a recompense to you for his mother" (170). Mr. Cruncher is miserable so he wants everybody else to be miserable also so he is happy that Jerry wants to be like him and it is ironic that he says that it is a blessing because the "honesty" that they are speaking of is far from what God wants.
Destinee asks a very good question, "If Stryver’s name means to go beyond then why is he settling for someone that he thinks is lower than him?" But I think that Mr. Stryver has an arrogance and cockiness to himself that makes him seem as if he is this big time hot shot with lots of money and all the girls wanting him. "...he [Mr. Stryver] always seemed too big for Tellson's that old clerks in distant corners looked up with the looks of remonstrance, as though he squeezed them against the wall." (148) His ego is so large that he is squishing the clerks in the bank against the walls. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but this really does imply how cocky Mr. Stryver is according to his peers. Deep down, I feel as if Mr. Stryver knows that IF he were to marry Lucie, she would be such a great "catch". She is a beautiful, intelligent, young lady that any man would be lucky to have. Maybe Mr. Stryver is just to arrogant to see that. On page 149, the caption on the picture says, "Mr. Striver at Tellson's Bank" (149). Notice how it says Striver, with an "i" instead of a "y". Having a name such as Mr. Stryver already implies that you are a pusher and you go above and beyond, but when the "y" is switched with an "i", that just exemplifies the meaning of his name. Will Mr. Stryver find other instances in which he can strive for anything else? Other than his trial case in the beginning of the book and his newer destiny, Miss Manette.
Mary Kate I also agree, that Mr. Cruncher is the farthest thing away from honesty but I don't think that Mr. Cruncher treats his wife that way because he wants her to stop getting on his nerves. I think he treats her that way because he is jealous of her relationship with God. He knows that she has a great relationship with God and that she is very religious and able to pray. I feel that at times he knows he needs God and he wants to pray about his problems but since he doesn't have a relationship with God he doesn't feel like it would be the proper thing to do and that it would put him in an awkward position. It is sad that young Jerry says that he wants to be a resurrection- man, like his father" and that in return Mr. Cruncher says, "Jerry, you honest tradesman, there's hope wot that boy will yet be a blessing to you, and a recompense to you for his mother" (170). Mr. Cruncher is miserable so he wants everybody else to be miserable also so he is happy that Jerry wants to be like him and it is ironic that he says that it is a blessing because the "honesty" that they are speaking of is far from what God wants.
I agree with Savannah that Mr. Darnay is the best choice for Lucie. However, I think that Mr. Darnay is addressing the wrong person about his feelings towards Lucie. Mr. Manette asks Mr. Darnay during their personal conference, "Have you spoken to Lucie?" (10, 138) Mr. Darnay tells him that he hasn't spoken a word of his affection for Lucie to Lucie. Mr. Darnay should tell Lucie how he feels. It's unfair to Lucie that her suitor doesn't even let her know that he wants to marry her. It seems like he is also setting up the situation to be unfair for himself. If he doesn't allow Miss. Manette to know about his feelings for her, then how will he ever know how she feels for him? The ultimatum is that he should tell Lucie how he feels. They should then marry, and the love rectangle that Savannah told about would cease to exist. (The rectangle is referring to how Mr. Darnay likes Lucie, Sydney Carton likes Lucie, AND Mr. Stryver likes Lucie. Two of the three of them want to marry her. Also, the book hasn't mentioned which man, if any, Ms. Manette likes.)
Sydney Carton presents himself as a lazy attorney that loves to drink and who feels as though life has no meaning. Carton sees himself as undeserving of Lucie yet he still feels as though he needs her in his life in order to keep living. "No Miss Manette; all through it, I have known myself to be quite undeserving." (154) As we all know, life does have a deeper meaning, and Carton realizes this and confesses his love to Lucie. I fell as though through Sydney Carton confessing his true love for Lucie he is, for once, doing what he feels he needs to do. He is becoming a changed man in my opinion because he is doing what he feels necessary. But I also feel that Lucie should not lead him on and tell him to have hope when Carton has already messed his life up pretty bad.
In chapter 15, the importance of the mender of roads with the clue cap, called Jacques, arises. The way he acts out the story of seeing the man chained under the carriage is clearly significant. When the three men leave the garret from where Dr. Manette had spent his time in imprisonment making shoes, Jacques reports that a year from this summer, he saw a man chained to the bottom of the Marquis's carriage. When asked if he had seen this man before, he said "never". Months after this occurence, he recognized the same man, being led by soldiers to an "iron cage" to be hanged, convicted of the murder of Monsieur de Marquis. As the countryman finishes telling his story, he gets fully worked up, causing the three men listening to him to get more anxious about what happens. Him acting this out shows that the mystery of the Marquis's death is coming closer together. Relating to the chapter title, "Knitting", this could be one of the reasons why it is titled this, because they are knitting together the pieces of this mystery.
I agree with Savannah and Rachel when they say that Charles Darnay is the best choice for a future husband of Lucie’s. Mr. Darnay’s visit with Dr. Manette was genuine and heartfelt, while Mr. Stryver’s visit was not. I felt that Charles Darnay’s visit to Dr. Manette was purposeful in the manner that he wants to marry Lucie because he really loves her. Mr. Stryver’s visit did not have that same effect on me; I felt that he wanted to marry Lucie just to say that he has a wife and that he is not alone in the world. Mr. Darnay’s efforts to speak with Lucie’s father first and to explain to him his deep love for Dr. Manette’s daughter. “Dear Doctor Manette, I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disinterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world, I love her.” (137) Another sign that he is the winner, is that he respects the strong relationship between Lucie and her father, and he doesn’t want to break that up or interfere in it; he wants to help with their relationship and to make it stronger. “Not to divide with Lucie her privilege as your child, companion, and friend; but to come in aid of it, and bind her closer to you, if such a thing can be.” (139) I believe that Charles Darnay is the perfect choice for Lucie because he is genuine, thoughtful and respectful, more than Mr. Stryver will probably ever be.
In cha.13, Carton talked to Mrs. Manette. He lamented his wasted life, he said she changed his life. She made him want to pursue the dream that he thought had died out of him for a long time. He told Mrs. Manette everything honestly. Cha.14 described the funeral of Cly. The people derided, made grimaces and incessantly groaning and calling out. They were crazy, they even don’t know why they were calling out, just followed others, you can see the misrepresentation of humanity. Cruncher went to dig up Cly’s body in order to sell it for some experiments but he lied to his families and thought he was an honest tradesman. That makes me think of the honest between Carton and Cruncher. Carton lamented his life, he could face the real life but Cruncher couldn’t. Cruncher just deceived himself that the “Resurrection Man” was a legitimately job although he knew that was not dubious and normal, but he stilled deceived himself. Maybe just because he was poor, he wanted money. The dark of the world caused the misrepresentation of humanity.
In Part two there is clearly a huge love triangle with Lucie inside of it. Mr.Stryver, Mr. Carton, and Mr. Darnay all want Lucie’s hand in marriage. I feel that they each went to someone close to her, in Mr. Carton’s case to her and discussed why they would be suitable for her. Chapter 10 was all about Mr. Darnay’s visit with Dr. Manette. While he was there he expressed his deep love for Lucie. In Chapter 12 Mr. Stryver goes to Tellson’s Bank to talk with Mr. Lorry, a friend of the Manette family, about Lucie. He was planning on asking for her hand in marriage that day but Mr. Lorry talked him out of it. In Chapter 13 Mr. Carton goes to talk to Lucie herself. He used his “sweet talk” and makes her feel pity on him. I personally think this love triangle will cause conflict between each of the mean, especially Mr. Stryver and Mr. Carton. I feel that Lucie will fall for Mr. Darnay or Mr. Carton because both of them resemble each other but each has what the other lacks.
Young Jerry figures out what his dad does when he “goes fishing” and his whole view of his honored parent. Young Jerry is anxious to find out what his dad does; Jerry was getting irritated with all of the questions that young Jerry was asking. In chapter 14, page 165, when he says, “that’s questions enough for you; I ain’t a going out, till you’ve been long a-bed.” He shows this feeling. When he thinks that young Jerry is sleeping he sneaks out, not knowing that young Jerry was behind him. When he follows him to the “river”, graveyard, he realizes that what his father is fishing are the riches from the dead. Young Jerry is frightened and runs home and goes straight to sleep.
Throughout chapters 15 and 16, there are many references to the upcoming revolution that Charles Dickens is preparing us for. For example, there is talk of Jacques, which is the code name for the revolution. Whenever there is talk of Jacques, there is a blue cap mentioned, which is a symbol for preparing for the revolution. Also there is talk of how evil and sadistic the rich powers of France are to the poor, which shows the detestation the poor have for the country of France. There is a recurring theme of the preparation of the ominous revolution, and that is knitting. Knitting symbolizes the coming together of different classes to form one unified group, Mrs. Defarge, who is the one who knits, takes a while to knit, which means that the revolution will not happen over a short time. An expert from page 185 says “tying another knot, as if there were another enemy strangled”, which is implying that the strings are enemies, but in the end will come together. All of these statements are telling us of what is to come, the French Revolution.
In chapter 14 which is called The Honest Tradesman, there is another example of someone being buried. This person is Roger Cly; he was hung because he was a spy for the Old Bailey. Jerry and his son happen to be at the scene while the funeral precession is going on and Jerry gets excited because to him “funerals are a remarkable attraction.” (161). Late into the night Jerry and his son go to the cemetery where Cly is buried to dig up his body so he can sell it to scientists, which is an example of a resurrection. Also in Chapter 14 Jerry’s wife is praying again and he yells at her to stop praying because once again he thinks she is praying to curse his soul.
I agree with Rachel that Madame Defarge's knitting is her recording observations of other people but I also think that it is her way of preparing for the revolution. She says "when [an earthquake] is ready, it takes place, and grinds to pieces everything before it. In the mean time, it is always preparing, though it is not seen or heard" (185). This reminds me of "the Woodman and the Farmer who worked unheeded" while working on the guillotine and wheelbarrows for the revolution (7). They were preparing for the revolution before anyone else knew it was coming, as Madame Defarge is doing. All the while she is knitting, preparing for the war, weaving in the names of those who will be involved but we do not see her kill until she ties a knot "as if there were another enemy strangled" (185). She herself knows that this is more than just a hobby when Barsad asks her why she knits and she replies with "'A pastime' said madame, still looking at him with a smile, while her fingers moved nimbly" (187). Madame Defarge also puts Basard's and Darnay's names into her knitting for a reason as she says "I have them bother here, of a certainty; and they are both here for their merits" (193). Darnay and Barsad will play a great role in the future and Madame Defarge is already aware of this fact.
Throughout A Tale of Two Cities, there are many examples of foreshadowing. However, one that stands out most is the foreshadowing of the discovery of Jerry Cruncher’s secret. In book two, chapter fourteen, there are many words and sentences that foreshadow the secret of Jerry Cruncher being a “Resurrection Man” (170). This chapter states the word rustic (159) many times and also leaves hints. There are hints such as “Funerals had at all times a remarkable attraction for Mr. Cruncher” (161), “Your fishing-rod get rayther rusty: don’t it, father?” (165), and “…was a low brick wall surmounted by an iron railing” (167). All of these hints lead up to the fact that Mr. Cruncher climbs over rusted iron gates and steals from graveyards, as shown on page 168. As Hallie Belle stated, Jerry is not proud of what he does when Young Jerry states that he wants to be a Resurrection Man when the passage says, “…Mr. Cruncher was soothed, but shook his head in and moral way."(170) It is very apparent in the book that when Jerry speaks to himself there is a foreshadowing of what is to happen between him and his wife, especially when he states that Young Jerry would “recompense to him for Young Jerry’s mother.”(170) This satirical chapter is full of foreshadowing of the misfortune that is to come for the Cruncher family, and a secret that shouldn’t have be known.
In Chapters 10-16 of Book 2, Dickens alludes to Greek mythology several times. The title of Chapter 9 is "The Gorgon's Head" which is one of the first allusions to Greek mythology in Book 2. However, more allusions begin as the text states "...like the heathen rustic who has for several centuries been on duty watching one stream - saving that Jerry had no expectation of their ever running dry" (159). This is stated as the funeral of Roger Cly is proceeding in the streets of London. The fact that a river is mentioned again when the text says "...the river being alarmingly near, and several voices remaking on the efficacy of cold immersion in bringing refractory members of the procession to recede…" (162) suggests that Dickens is alluding to the river Styx in Greek mythology, which was a river that formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworld. Timing this phrase at this point in the book when the funeral procession is occurring represents death and the transition from one life to the next. Another Greek mythology allusion is made as the text reads "Time was, when a poet sat upon a stool in a public place, and mused in the sight of men" and again in the words "Mr. Cruncher, sitting on a stool in a public place but not being a poet, mused as little as possible and looked about him" (160). Use of the verb muse is significant in this passage because the Muses are another group of Greek gods who are the goddesses of the arts and sciences. In this case, poetry is referred to in the text, so the goddesses Calliope and Erato are alluded to. According to mythology, the Muses were put in the world to help people forget about their sorrows and cares, which is something Jerry Cruncher needs to do. Lastly, knitting and Madame Defarge are a representation of the Fates. There are three Fates in Greek mythology and each has a different role, all of which include spinning the thread of life, measuring the length of life, and cutting the thread of life. The reason of Madame Defarge knitting is revealed in Chapter 15 when it is stated "...than to erase one letter of his name or crimes from the knitted register of Madame Defarge" (179), which shows that she is remembering people's crimes that could lead to the end of their life. The use of Greek mythology in A Tale of Two Cities represents death and forgetting this world and looking to the next.
ReplyDeleteThroughout Chapters 15 and 16, the main focus is the role and symbolism of knitting. Madame Defarge is a constantly present character in these chapters and is the person who is primarily associated with the act of knitting. In these chapters, there are two main symbolisms of knitting that are shown. In the important instances when the narrator specifies that she is knitting, Madame Defarge is a part of, yet not interacting with her surroundings. Until Monsieur Defarge’s conversation with his fellow revolutionaries clarifies that Madame Defarge’s knitting is her literally knitting or weaving together a memorized register of details and names for each person she has interacted with, it is not completely clear why she restrains from interaction in this way. From his statement, “It would be easier for the weakest poltroon that lives, to erase himself from existence, than to erase on letter of his name or crimes from the knitted register of Madame Defarge,” we can conclude with certainty that Madame Defarge’s knitting is a symbol for her observation and gathering of details for the register, and we are told once someone has been registered, it is nearly impossible for her to forget them (179). The second symbolism is revealed in the last sentence of Chapter 16 which reads, “So much was closing in about the women who sat knitting, knitting, that they their very selves were closing in around a structure yet unbuilt, where they were to sit knitting, knitting, counting dropping heads” (194). This sentence shows the role of knitting as foreshadowing for the French Revolution, and the reader learns that these women will witness the executions, which were a key part of the French Revolution, by the guillotine or unbuilt structure. It also exposes the connection between knitting and the destruction that was a result of the French Revolution. Through the many examples of knitting incorporated in these chapters, the narrator emphasizes the crucial role of Madame Defarge and her knitting.
ReplyDeleteHallie Belle makes a good point about the secret life of Mr. Jerry Cruncher, and she concludes with the question "Why does Mr. Cruncher hate his wife?" I believe Mr. Cruncher is unhappy and embarrassed by being a "resurrection man". He cannot even be open with his family, the people that he should be most open with, about this secret. Instead, he refers to his night-time adventures as "going...a fishing. That's where I'm going to. Going a fishing" (165). The repetition in his response to young Jerry Cruncher indicates his being uncomfortable on the subject and his unwillingness to be honest. When he returns from "fishing" he is found "holding Mrs. Cruncher by the ears, and knocking the back of her head against the head board of the bed" (169). It was inferred that he doing this because "something had gone wrong" the previous night (168). Mrs. Cruncher expresses her disapproval of his doings in the night, and she tells him "I try to be a good wife, Jerry" (169). He angrily questions her: "Is it being a good wife to oppose your husband's business?" (169). Due to this single question, the reader is made aware of Mrs. Cruncher's knowledge about her husband's "business." Mr. Cruncher wants his wife's approval, but since he does not have this he seems to hate her. His business is the reason his marriage is falling apart and is the reason his son loses his innocence. I consider Mr. Cruncher's unhappiness with himself the reason he is so mean to his wife, and it is the reason his family is falling apart.
ReplyDeleteThroughout chapters 10, 11, and 13, the love rectangle arises. Each gentleman, Darnay, Stryver, and Carton, is willing to do whatever it takes for Lucie Manette. What will be enough though? In each chapter, a viewpoint of each bachelor is evaluated. Out of each approach to win Lucies heart, I think Mr. Darnay's approach was the most mature and appropriate. He went to Lucies father. That is a sign of respect. Talking about Darnay in chapter ten it says, "He had loved Lucie Manette from the hour of his danger. He had never heard a sound so sweet and dear as the sound of her compassionate voice; he had never seen a face so tenderly beautiful, as hers when it was confronted with his own on the edge of the grave that had been dug for him." (135)He seems to think Lucie is too good for him and that he is so in love, he could die. He then proceeds with confronting Dr. Manette. While they sit down, Mr. Manette already knows the topic of the conversation. He states it is a tough conversation to have considering he is not yet ready for his only daughter to fall in love considering so much of her life didn't include him. The point that I am trying to make is the fact that I think that even though Charles Darnay has a rough past and may not be the wealthiest, his love deserves Lucie more than Carton and Stryver. He isn't in it for the money or popularity, he's in it for Lucie herself.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 11, Mr. Stryver is talking to Mr. Carton about marring Lucie. The name of the chapter is “A Companion Picture” which I thought was somewhat ironic, because it appeared that he looked at her as an object, a pretty picture that he can hang on his wall and showoff to other people. He talks about how marring Lucie would be a prize for him and her. On p. 143, he sounds excited when he says that he is “not marring for money” like he is proud that he is making a sacrifice to propose to her although he is not getting a great fortune out of it. In chapter 12 p. 148, he says to Mr. Lorry “I am going to make an offer of myself to your agreeable little friend Miss. Manette.” When he calls Lucie agreeable and how he was going to offer himself, I wondered why he wanted to marry her in the first place because apparently he thinks he can find someone that’s better looking. If Stryver’s name means to go beyond then why is he settling for someone that he thinks is lower than him?
ReplyDeleteIn Book 2, chapter 14 the fact that Jerry Cruncher keeps referring to himself as a “Honest Tradesman” suggests that he, Jerry Cruncher, needs to reassure himself that he is a honest tradesman. He keeps saying phrases such as, “If I, as a honest tradesman, succeed…”(141)telling his wife and son that he is a honest tradesman and they should respect him. In chapter 14 Mr. Cruncher says that he is a Honest Tradesman six times. Jerry also yells at his wife and tells her what she is doing wrong, just so that she will get off of his back about him neglecting his son and not being able to provide for Young Jerry. He also yells at her so that she will not tell Young Jerry what “fishing” really is because “fishing” is actually robbing graves of their bodies, he says “I’m going --- as your mother knows--- a fishing.”(143). Even though Young Jerry “…thought you [his dad] knowed everything…” (147), Mr. Cruncher does not and questions himself frequently. If Jerry Cruncher were not ashamed of his job, and knew he was a honest tradesman, he would tell his son.
ReplyDeleteIt is ironic that Mr. Cruncher calls himself "a honest tradesman" because stealing is the farthest thing away from honesty (166). He also says that he is "going a fishing" which is lying and that is the exact opposite of telling the truth and being honest (165). Mr. Cruncher calls himself honest because he knows that what he does is wrong. When he refers himself as being honest it makes him feel good about the bad actions that he does at night. He knows that his wife is a good, religious woman and is the type of person that he wants to be, so he takes his anger out on her because he is jealous of her relationship with God. It is sad that young Jerry says that he wants to be a resurrection- man, like his father" and that in return Mr. Cruncher says, "Jerry, you honest tradesman, there's hope wot that boy will yet be a blessing to you, and a recompense to you for his mother" (170). Mr. Cruncher is miserable so he wants everybody else to be miserable also so he is happy that Jerry wants to be like him and it is ironic that he says that it is a blessing because the "honesty" that they are speaking of is far from what God wants.
ReplyDeleteDestinee asks a very good question, "If Stryver’s name means to go beyond then why is he settling for someone that he thinks is lower than him?" But I think that Mr. Stryver has an arrogance and cockiness to himself that makes him seem as if he is this big time hot shot with lots of money and all the girls wanting him. "...he [Mr. Stryver] always seemed too big for Tellson's that old clerks in distant corners looked up with the looks of remonstrance, as though he squeezed them against the wall." (148) His ego is so large that he is squishing the clerks in the bank against the walls. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but this really does imply how cocky Mr. Stryver is according to his peers. Deep down, I feel as if Mr. Stryver knows that IF he were to marry Lucie, she would be such a great "catch". She is a beautiful, intelligent, young lady that any man would be lucky to have. Maybe Mr. Stryver is just to arrogant to see that. On page 149, the caption on the picture says, "Mr. Striver at Tellson's Bank" (149). Notice how it says Striver, with an "i" instead of a "y". Having a name such as Mr. Stryver already implies that you are a pusher and you go above and beyond, but when the "y" is switched with an "i", that just exemplifies the meaning of his name. Will Mr. Stryver find other instances in which he can strive for anything else? Other than his trial case in the beginning of the book and his newer destiny, Miss Manette.
ReplyDeleteMary Kate I also agree, that Mr. Cruncher is the farthest thing away from honesty but I don't think that Mr. Cruncher treats his wife that way because he wants her to stop getting on his nerves. I think he treats her that way because he is jealous of her relationship with God. He knows that she has a great relationship with God and that she is very religious and able to pray. I feel that at times he knows he needs God and he wants to pray about his problems but since he doesn't have a relationship with God he doesn't feel like it would be the proper thing to do and that it would put him in an awkward position. It is sad that young Jerry says that he wants to be a resurrection- man, like his father" and that in return Mr. Cruncher says, "Jerry, you honest tradesman, there's hope wot that boy will yet be a blessing to you, and a recompense to you for his mother" (170). Mr. Cruncher is miserable so he wants everybody else to be miserable also so he is happy that Jerry wants to be like him and it is ironic that he says that it is a blessing because the "honesty" that they are speaking of is far from what God wants.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Savannah that Mr. Darnay is the best choice for Lucie. However, I think that Mr. Darnay is addressing the wrong person about his feelings towards Lucie. Mr. Manette asks Mr. Darnay during their personal conference, "Have you spoken to Lucie?" (10, 138) Mr. Darnay tells him that he hasn't spoken a word of his affection for Lucie to Lucie. Mr. Darnay should tell Lucie how he feels. It's unfair to Lucie that her suitor doesn't even let her know that he wants to marry her. It seems like he is also setting up the situation to be unfair for himself. If he doesn't allow Miss. Manette to know about his feelings for her, then how will he ever know how she feels for him? The ultimatum is that he should tell Lucie how he feels. They should then marry, and the love rectangle that Savannah told about would cease to exist.
ReplyDelete(The rectangle is referring to how Mr. Darnay likes Lucie, Sydney Carton likes Lucie, AND Mr. Stryver likes Lucie. Two of the three of them want to marry her. Also, the book hasn't mentioned which man, if any, Ms. Manette likes.)
Sydney Carton presents himself as a lazy attorney that loves to drink and who feels as though life has no meaning. Carton sees himself as undeserving of Lucie yet he still feels as though he needs her in his life in order to keep living. "No Miss Manette; all through it, I have known myself to be quite undeserving." (154) As we all know, life does have a deeper meaning, and Carton realizes this and confesses his love to Lucie. I fell as though through Sydney Carton confessing his true love for Lucie he is, for once, doing what he feels he needs to do. He is becoming a changed man in my opinion because he is doing what he feels necessary. But I also feel that Lucie should not lead him on and tell him to have hope when Carton has already messed his life up pretty bad.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 15, the importance of the mender of roads with the clue cap, called Jacques, arises. The way he acts out the story of seeing the man chained under the carriage is clearly significant. When the three men leave the garret from where Dr. Manette had spent his time in imprisonment making shoes, Jacques reports that a year from this summer, he saw a man chained to the bottom of the Marquis's carriage. When asked if he had seen this man before, he said "never". Months after this occurence, he recognized the same man, being led by soldiers to an "iron cage" to be hanged, convicted of the murder of Monsieur de Marquis. As the countryman finishes telling his story, he gets fully worked up, causing the three men listening to him to get more anxious about what happens. Him acting this out shows that the mystery of the Marquis's death is coming closer together. Relating to the chapter title, "Knitting", this could be one of the reasons why it is titled this, because they are knitting together the pieces of this mystery.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Doctor Manette not give Darnay his blessing to marry Lucie? He often shows "evident constraint" when speaking with Darnay although Darnay has done nothing to provoke it. In the tenth chapter of Book the Second, Darnay approaches the Doctor about the love he has for Lucie. "[Doctor Manette's] constraint was so manifest, and it was so manifest, too, that it originated in an unwillingness to approach the subject" (137). As the two talked about Lucie, "the Doctor sat with his face turned away, and his eyes bent on the ground" (137). Manette cannot even look at Darnay when discussing Lucie. As I was reading, I had thought Manette's restraint originated from his fear of loosing Lucie's love. Although this may be true, there is another reason that explains Manette's reservations. When Darnay was at his uncle's château, right before the two went to bed, Marquis made one final query.
ReplyDelete"[Do] you know a compatriot who has found a Refuge [in England]?"
"Yes"
"With a daughter?"
"Yes" (131).
Here it is obvious that Marquis is speaking of Doctor Manette and Lucie. However, as he spoke, "there was a secrecy in his smiling face, and he conveyed an air of mystery to those words" (131). Through this, we see that there is an apparent connection between the Evrémonde brothers and Doctor Manette. We know Marquis to be a "diabolical" man, and Manette's current reservations for Darnay could come solely from the fact that the two men are related.
I agree with Savannah and Rachel when they say that Charles Darnay is the best choice for a future husband of Lucie’s. Mr. Darnay’s visit with Dr. Manette was genuine and heartfelt, while Mr. Stryver’s visit was not. I felt that Charles Darnay’s visit to Dr. Manette was purposeful in the manner that he wants to marry Lucie because he really loves her. Mr. Stryver’s visit did not have that same effect on me; I felt that he wanted to marry Lucie just to say that he has a wife and that he is not alone in the world. Mr. Darnay’s efforts to speak with Lucie’s father first and to explain to him his deep love for Dr. Manette’s daughter. “Dear Doctor Manette, I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disinterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world, I love her.” (137) Another sign that he is the winner, is that he respects the strong relationship between Lucie and her father, and he doesn’t want to break that up or interfere in it; he wants to help with their relationship and to make it stronger. “Not to divide with Lucie her privilege as your child, companion, and friend; but to come in aid of it, and bind her closer to you, if such a thing can be.” (139) I believe that Charles Darnay is the perfect choice for Lucie because he is genuine, thoughtful and respectful, more than Mr. Stryver will probably ever be.
ReplyDeleteIn cha.13, Carton talked to Mrs. Manette. He lamented his wasted life, he said she changed his life. She made him want to pursue the dream that he thought had died out of him for a long time. He told Mrs. Manette everything honestly. Cha.14 described the funeral of Cly. The people derided, made grimaces and incessantly groaning and calling out. They were crazy, they even don’t know why they were calling out, just followed others, you can see the misrepresentation of humanity. Cruncher went to dig up Cly’s body in order to sell it for some experiments but he lied to his families and thought he was an honest tradesman. That makes me think of the honest between Carton and Cruncher. Carton lamented his life, he could face the real life but Cruncher couldn’t. Cruncher just deceived himself that the “Resurrection Man” was a legitimately job although he knew that was not dubious and normal, but he stilled deceived himself. Maybe just because he was poor, he wanted money. The dark of the world caused the misrepresentation of humanity.
ReplyDeleteIn Part two there is clearly a huge love triangle with Lucie inside of it. Mr.Stryver, Mr. Carton, and Mr. Darnay all want Lucie’s hand in marriage. I feel that they each went to someone close to her, in Mr. Carton’s case to her and discussed why they would be suitable for her. Chapter 10 was all about Mr. Darnay’s visit with Dr. Manette. While he was there he expressed his deep love for Lucie. In Chapter 12 Mr. Stryver goes to Tellson’s Bank to talk with Mr. Lorry, a friend of the Manette family, about Lucie. He was planning on asking for her hand in marriage that day but Mr. Lorry talked him out of it. In Chapter 13 Mr. Carton goes to talk to Lucie herself. He used his “sweet talk” and makes her feel pity on him. I personally think this love triangle will cause conflict between each of the mean, especially Mr. Stryver and Mr. Carton. I feel that Lucie will fall for Mr. Darnay or Mr. Carton because both of them resemble each other but each has what the other lacks.
ReplyDeleteYoung Jerry figures out what his dad does when he “goes fishing” and his whole view of his honored parent. Young Jerry is anxious to find out what his dad does; Jerry was getting irritated with all of the questions that young Jerry was asking. In chapter 14, page 165, when he says, “that’s questions enough for you; I ain’t a going out, till you’ve been long a-bed.” He shows this feeling. When he thinks that young Jerry is sleeping he sneaks out, not knowing that young Jerry was behind him. When he follows him to the “river”, graveyard, he realizes that what his father is fishing are the riches from the dead. Young Jerry is frightened and runs home and goes straight to sleep.
ReplyDeleteThroughout chapters 15 and 16, there are many references to the upcoming revolution that Charles Dickens is preparing us for. For example, there is talk of Jacques, which is the code name for the revolution. Whenever there is talk of Jacques, there is a blue cap mentioned, which is a symbol for preparing for the revolution. Also there is talk of how evil and sadistic the rich powers of France are to the poor, which shows the detestation the poor have for the country of France. There is a recurring theme of the preparation of the ominous revolution, and that is knitting. Knitting symbolizes the coming together of different classes to form one unified group, Mrs. Defarge, who is the one who knits, takes a while to knit, which means that the revolution will not happen over a short time. An expert from page 185 says “tying another knot, as if there were another enemy strangled”, which is implying that the strings are enemies, but in the end will come together. All of these statements are telling us of what is to come, the French Revolution.
ReplyDeletethis isn't late I printed it out instead
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 14 which is called The Honest Tradesman, there is another example of someone being buried. This person is Roger Cly; he was hung because he was a spy for the Old Bailey. Jerry and his son happen to be at the scene while the funeral precession is going on and Jerry gets excited because to him “funerals are a remarkable attraction.” (161). Late into the night Jerry and his son go to the cemetery where Cly is buried to dig up his body so he can sell it to scientists, which is an example of a resurrection. Also in Chapter 14 Jerry’s wife is praying again and he yells at her to stop praying because once again he thinks she is praying to curse his soul.
I agree with Rachel that Madame Defarge's knitting is her recording observations of other people but I also think that it is her way of preparing for the revolution. She says "when [an earthquake] is ready, it takes place, and grinds to pieces everything before it. In the mean time, it is always preparing, though it is not seen or heard" (185). This reminds me of "the Woodman and the Farmer who worked unheeded" while working on the guillotine and wheelbarrows for the revolution (7). They were preparing for the revolution before anyone else knew it was coming, as Madame Defarge is doing. All the while she is knitting, preparing for the war, weaving in the names of those who will be involved but we do not see her kill until she ties a knot "as if there were another enemy strangled" (185). She herself knows that this is more than just a hobby when Barsad asks her why she knits and she replies with "'A pastime' said madame, still looking at him with a smile, while her fingers moved nimbly" (187). Madame Defarge also puts Basard's and Darnay's names into her knitting for a reason as she says "I have them bother here, of a certainty; and they are both here for their merits" (193). Darnay and Barsad will play a great role in the future and Madame Defarge is already aware of this fact.
ReplyDeleteNovember 8, 2010- 5:25
ReplyDeleteThroughout A Tale of Two Cities, there are many examples of foreshadowing. However, one that stands out most is the foreshadowing of the discovery of Jerry Cruncher’s secret. In book two, chapter fourteen, there are many words and sentences that foreshadow the secret of Jerry Cruncher being a “Resurrection Man” (170). This chapter states the word rustic (159) many times and also leaves hints. There are hints such as “Funerals had at all times a remarkable attraction for Mr. Cruncher” (161), “Your fishing-rod get rayther rusty: don’t it, father?” (165), and “…was a low brick wall surmounted by an iron railing” (167). All of these hints lead up to the fact that Mr. Cruncher climbs over rusted iron gates and steals from graveyards, as shown on page 168. As Hallie Belle stated, Jerry is not proud of what he does when Young Jerry states that he wants to be a Resurrection Man when the passage says, “…Mr. Cruncher was soothed, but shook his head in and moral way."(170) It is very apparent in the book that when Jerry speaks to himself there is a foreshadowing of what is to happen between him and his wife, especially when he states that Young Jerry would “recompense to him for Young Jerry’s mother.”(170) This satirical chapter is full of foreshadowing of the misfortune that is to come for the Cruncher family, and a secret that shouldn’t have be known.