A Tale of Two Cities Chapter Meanings

Questions and Answers

What does 'The Period' refer to?

Explaining the time period

What is the significance of 'The Mail'?

Mr. Lorry traveling to France in a mail carriage to tell Lucie of her father

What does 'The Night Shadows' represent?

Mr. Lorry's dream

What is 'The Preparation' about?

Preparing Lucie to meet her father Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Wine Shop' signify?

The setting, they meet in the wine shop Signup and view all the answers

What happens in 'The Shoemaker'?

Dr. Manette makes shoes Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Five Years Later' indicate?

It has been five years since they met Dr. Manette Signup and view all the answers

What does 'A Sight' refer to?

The trial is a sight to see Signup and view all the answers

What is conveyed in 'A Disappointment'?

The crowd is disappointed that Darnay is acquitted, they wanted to see an execution Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Congratulatory' celebrate?

Celebrating Darnay's escape from death Signup and view all the answers

Who is 'The Jackal'?

Sydney Carton does all of the work while Stryver takes all of the credit Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'Hundreds of People'?

Miss Pross claims that there are hundreds of suitors after Lucie Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Monseigneur In Town' suggest?

Monseigneur is in town and he drives around killing people Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Monseigneur In The Country' describe?

Monseigneur is traveling through the country Signup and view all the answers

What is symbolized by 'The Gorgon's Head'?

Everything is stone Signup and view all the answers

What do 'Two Promises' refer to?

Charles Darnay makes two promises Signup and view all the answers

What does 'A Companionship Picture' imply?

Stryver pictures Lucie as his companion Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Fellow of Delicacy' mean?

Stryver has delicacy and doesn't tell Lucie he likes her Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by 'The Fellow of No Delicacy'?

Carton has no delicacy and tells Lucie he loves her Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Honest Tradesman' signify?

Jerry calls himself an honest tradesman even though he's not Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested by 'Knitting'?

Madame Defarge is knitting the names of the people who they plan on killing Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Still Knitting' imply?

Madame Defarge is still knitting names Signup and view all the answers

What is captured in 'One Night'?

There is one night before Lucie's wedding Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Nine Days' refer to?

How long Dr. Manette's relapse lasts for Signup and view all the answers

What does 'An Opinion' pertain to?

Mr. Lorry asks Dr. Manette his opinion on how to help his 'friend' Signup and view all the answers

What is conveyed in 'A Plea'?

Carton begs Darnay to be friends/ Lucie begs Darnay to be forgiving of Carton's faults Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Echoing Footsteps' symbolize?

Lucie listens to the echoes she hears as the years pass/ the revolution draws closer Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Sea Still Rises' depict?

The revolutionists are still killing/ knitting people's names Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Fire Rises' signify?

The chateau was set on fire along with other things Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Drawn To The Loadstone Rock' refer to?

Darnay is being drawn to France to help Gabelle Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by 'In Secret'?

Darnay is kept in solitary confinement Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Grindstone' represent?

The revolutionists are using the grindstone to sharpen weapons to kill the prisoners Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Shadow' symbolize?

Madame Defarge casts a shadow over the Manette family Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Calm In Storm' convey?

Dr. Manette is calm throughout the chaos of the revolution Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'The Wood-Sawyer'?

Lucie stands outside his house every day, he is a spy for the Defarges Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Triumph' refer to?

Darnay is released from prison Signup and view all the answers

What happens during 'A Knock At The Door'?

Four men knock at the door and arrest Darnay again, he has been accused Signup and view all the answers

What does 'A Hand At Cards' imply?

Carton is exchanging 'cards' with Barsad Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Game Made' signify?

The plan to free Darnay is made Signup and view all the answers

What is 'The Substance of The Shadow'?

The letter written by Dr. Manette is the substance of the shadow over the Manette family Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Dusk' symbolize?

They wait until dusk to start the plan Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Darkness' refer to?

It is the night before Carton is killed and he reflects on his life Signup and view all the answers

What does the number 'Fifty-Two' represent?

The number of people scheduled to die that day Signup and view all the answers

What happens in 'The Knitting Done'?

Miss Pross kills Madame Defarge, no one can knit any more names into the registry or read the names already knitted Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Themes and Content Overview

The titles of the chapters reflect significant events and characters in "A Tale of Two Cities."
Each card encompasses a key chapter or moment that contributes to the overall narrative of the story.

Chapter Insights

The Period: Sets the historical context for events unfolding in France and England.
The Mail: Introduces Mr. Lorry who travels to inform Lucie about her father's condition in France.
The Night Shadows: Represents Mr. Lorry's unsettling dream, foreshadowing future events.
The Preparation: Covers Lucie’s emotional adjustment as she prepares to reunite with her father, Dr. Manette.
The Wine Shop: Serves as a meeting hub for various characters, symbolizing the common people's struggles.

Character Development

The Shoemaker: Highlights Dr. Manette’s skills and his past trauma through shoemaking, linking to his identity.
Five Years Later: Marks the passage of time since the initial family reunion with Dr. Manette, indicating stability before chaos.
A Disappointment: The crowd's mixed feelings regarding Darnay's trial outcome, reflecting societal expectations.
Congratulatory: Emphasizes celebration over Darnay's life being spared during his trial.

Relationships and Interactions

The Jackal: Illustrates Sydney Carton's unrecognized support for Stryver, highlighting themes of sacrifice.
Hundreds of People: Miss Pross’ claims about Lucie's many suitors signify her popularity and the social dynamics around her.
The Fellow of Delicacy & The Fellow of No Delicacy: Contrasts between Stryver’s restrained affection and Carton’s open love for Lucie.

Revolutionary Context

Knitting: Serves as a metaphor for Madame Defarge's role in the revolution, documenting names of targets for vengeance.
The Sea Still Rises & Fire Rises: Symbolize the escalating violence and chaos of the revolution as social structures collapse.
The Grindstone: Represents the preparation for violence and the sharpening of revolutionary fervor leading to bloodshed.

Conflict and Resolutions

A Knock At The Door: Signals Darnay's renewed troubles as he's arrested again, increasing tension in the narrative.
A Hand At Cards: Carton's strategic interactions hint at his cunning nature and resourcefulness in dire situations.
Triumph: Darnay's temporary release heightens the tension just before the story's climax.

Ultimate Sacrifice

Darkness: Carton’s final reflections reveal his internal struggles and ultimate sacrifice for love and redemption.
The Knitting Done: Represents the end of Madame Defarge’s reign of terror and the closure of her personal vendetta.

Symbolism and Imagery

The Shadow: Represents looming danger and tension over the Manette family, introspective of their struggles.
Dusk: The timing of the plan to rescue Darnay reflects the strategic thinking behind revolutionary actions.
Fifty-Two: The specific number of condemned signifies the brutality and systematic nature of the revolutionary justice.

Concluding Ideas

A Hand At Cards & The Game Made: Showcase the themes of fate, chance, and the undercurrents of personal agency throughout the story.
The Substance of The Shadow: Dr. Manette's letter embodies the family's history and showcases the impact of the past on current actions.

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Explore the meanings behind chapter titles in 'A Tale of Two Cities'. This quiz features flashcards that provide insights into key terms and their significance within the story, enriching your understanding of Dickens' classic.