A Tale of Two Cities Chapters 1 & 2 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

In what year do the opening events of the novel take place?

1775

List the three instances of violence or cruelty in France mentioned early in Chapter 1.

hands cut off, tongue torn off with pincers, burning alive

List the instances of violence or cruelty in England mentioned early in Chapter 1.

Burglary, highway robberies, murder

What is the plot of Chapter 1?

In 1775 in France and England, France was killing people and England was full of crooks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's tone toward what France was doing in 1775?

Passive aggressive due to saying how 'great' France was because they were killing people Signup and view all the answers

Who is the guard of the coach for the Dover Mail?

Joe Signup and view all the answers

Who is the coachman of the Dover Mail?

Tom Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jerry Cruncher?

A new character that first appears before the coach asking if it was the Dover mail because he had a message for Mr. Jarvis Lorry. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jarvis Lorry?

A passenger among the three on the Dover Mail who told Jerry to respond back to the message with 'recalled to life'. Signup and view all the answers

What phrase did Jarvis Lorry tell Jerry to respond back to the message with?

recalled to life Signup and view all the answers

What is the plot of Chapter 2?

The Dover Mail is being delivered with 3 passengers aboard who don't know each other due to the fact that the roads were full of crooks. Jerry shows up and tells Jarvis Lorry a message to which he responds 'recalled to life' and Jerry leaves to send the response. Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 2, where does Jarvis Lorry tell the guard he is going and for what purpose?

Paris, on business Signup and view all the answers

What is Book the First called?

Recalled to Life Signup and view all the answers

What conditions prevail in England and France in 1775?

For the monarchs and aristocrats of both countries, life is very comfortable. But this comfort and luxury comes at the expense of the lower classes. In France there is social unrest that points toward revolution and death. In England, lawlessness prevails on the streets and highways despite the severity of the courts. Signup and view all the answers

How does this first chapter relate to the title of the novel?

By comparing conditions in England and France, Dickens suggests that the coming revolution in France has a bearing on the people of England. A subtle warning is thus presented that what befalls Paris can also befall London, the two primary centers of action in the story. Signup and view all the answers

How are Fate and Death personified?

Fate is a Woodman and Death is a Farmer, each linked to the revolution by the tools of their trade. The wood will eventually be used to build the guillotine, that 'certain movable framework with a sack and a knife in it.' The farmer's carts, the tumbrils, will carry the condemned to their deaths. Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 2, where are they traveling from and to?

London to Dover Signup and view all the answers

What is the atmosphere in relation to tone and mood?

A compound term that encompasses the tone (the author's attitude towards a subject) and mood (the audience's attitude towards a subject). Signup and view all the answers

What is foreshadowing?

A narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of foreshadowing in the novel at the end of Chapter 2?

I say, Jerry! You'd be in a blazing bad way, if recalling to life was to come into fashion, Jerry! Signup and view all the answers

What is repetition?

Repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of repetition from Jerry to emphasize the idea that what Jarvis Lorry said was impressively odd?

Blazing strange/bad Signup and view all the answers

In chapter two of Book One, what does the message that Jerry delivered to Mr. Lorry say?

Wait at Dover for Mam'selle. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

General Context

The events of the novel commence in 1775, a pivotal year in both France and England.
The text portrays a stark contrast between the violent realities in France and the lawlessness pervading England.

Violence in France

Notable instances of cruelty include hands being cut off, tongues torn out with pincers, and people being burned alive.

Violence in England

Illustrations of crime in England encompass burglary, highway robberies, and murder.

Novel's Themes

The initial chapters suggest that while France faces violence from the ruling class, England grapples with a crime-ridden society.
A passive-aggressive tone is apparent in the author's commentary on France's brutality.

Key Characters

Joe serves as the guard of the Dover Mail.
Tom acts as the coachman for the Dover Mail.
Jerry Cruncher appears as a new character seeking Mr. Jarvis Lorry to convey a message.
Jarvis Lorry, a prominent passenger, instructs Jerry to reply with "recalled to life."

Important Phrases

"Recalled to life" serves as a significant message within the narrative and denotes a theme of resurrection.

Plot Summaries

Chapter 1 establishes the grim conditions in France and England.
Chapter 2 describes the Dover Mail journey, highlighting the presence of three unfamiliar passengers due to prevalent crime.

Life for monarchs and aristocrats is comfortable in both nations but is counterbalanced by severe dissatisfaction among the lower classes.
France faces social unrest pointing towards revolution, while England struggles with rampant crime despite strict judicial measures.

Relationship Between Countries

Dickens highlights that unrest in France could have consequences for England, hinting at a broader narrative of revolution affecting both countries.

Personification of Fate and Death

Fate is depicted as a woodman, and Death as a farmer, creating imagery connected to the guillotine and the carts transporting the condemned.

Literary Devices

Parallel structure is used to provide balance within sentences.
Atmosphere is shaped by tone and mood, directly influencing the reader's perception.
Foreshadowing hints at future events, creating suspense, especially in Jerry’s remark about "recalling to life."
Repetition emphasizes Jerry's astonishment at Jarvis Lorry's statement.

Notable Quotes

Jerry's remark about recalling to life serves as an example of foreshadowing.
Instructions to "wait at Dover for Mam'selle" signify the ongoing communication and plot development within the chapters.