French Revolution Vocabulary Quiz

Questions and Answers

What are tumbrels?

One of the carts used during the French Revolution to convey victims to the Guillotine.

What does atheistic mean?

The doctrine or belief that there is no God; disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

What is a retinue?

A group of providers, advisors, or assistants accompanying an important person.

What does adjuration mean?

An earnest request; entreaty; a solemn or desperate urging or counseling. Signup and view all the answers

What does unfathomable mean?

Not able to be fathomed, or completely understood; incomprehensible. Signup and view all the answers

What does inexorable mean?

Unyielding; unalterable; not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties. Signup and view all the answers

What does sonorous mean?

Capable of giving out a loud, deep, or resonant sound. Signup and view all the answers

What does pecuniary mean?

Of or pertaining to money. Signup and view all the answers

In what year does the book start off?

1775 Signup and view all the answers

Which two places does Dickens mention in the book?

England and France Signup and view all the answers

Why does Dickens describe the Kings as having large jaws and the Queens as having plain or fair faces?

Because the Kings said stupid things and did not pay attention to the 'scarecrows'. Nothing affected the monarch. Signup and view all the answers

Dickens describes trees that were used to hang innocent people being cut down. What are the trees made into?

The Guillotine Signup and view all the answers

What is a pilferer?

A thief Signup and view all the answers

Describe Dover.

It is the closest city to the English Channel. It was dangerous because it was filled with thieves. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the passengers have to stand outside the coach?

To make the carriage lighter for the horses to carry it up the hill. Signup and view all the answers

Were the coach guard and the coachman educated people?

False Signup and view all the answers

What were the names of the coachman and guard?

Joe (guard) and Tom (coachman) Signup and view all the answers

What does the guard do when he sees horses in the distance?

He takes out his gun ('he cocked his blunderbuss'). Signup and view all the answers

What passenger is the messenger looking for?

Mr. Jarvis Lorry Signup and view all the answers

What does the guard warn the messenger about?

The messenger must stay still or the guard will accidentally shoot his gun because of how nervous he is. Signup and view all the answers

What does the guard say about Jerry?

He does not like how hoarse his voice is. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'T. and Co' mean?

Tellson and Company Signup and view all the answers

Who said 'I belong to Tellson's Bank'?

Mr. Jarvis Lorry Signup and view all the answers

What message does Lorry give to Jerry?

'Recalled to life' Signup and view all the answers

Do the guard and coachman care about the message that Lorry gave to Jerry?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jerry act so nervous?

He is surprised by the 'blazing strange message'. Signup and view all the answers

How does Dickens begin Chapter Three?

With an aside about how the book reveals what humans are capable of. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Jarvis Lorry do to stay calm?

He thinks about the bank. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lorry think about when his thoughts about being at the bank do not calm him down?

He thinks about digging someone out of a grave and having a conversation with the corpse. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jarvis Lorry accidentally reveal in Chapter Four?

He did not travel from France alone. Signup and view all the answers

What is Dickens foreshadowing by describing Miss Manette's apartment?

Her dark future. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Miss Manette's father from?

Beauvais. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lorry ask Miss Manette to do so he could clear his head?

Ask him what nine times nine is. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Jarvis Lorry reveal about Miss Manette's father?

Her father had been imprisoned and is now living in the house of an old servant of Laris. Signup and view all the answers

What does Miss Manette do once she hears the news?

She faints. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary and Definitions

Tumbrels: Carts used during the French Revolution to transport victims to the Guillotine.
Atheistic: The belief that there is no God or supreme being.
Retinue: A group of advisers or assistants accompanying an important person.
Adjuration: An earnest or solemn request or urging.
Unfathomable: Something that cannot be understood or comprehended; incomprehensible.
Inexorable: Relentless or unyielding; impossible to persuade or move.
Sonorous: Producing a deep, resonant sound; rich in tone.
Pecuniary: Relating to or consisting of money.

Context and Setting

Year Setting: The narrative opens in the year 1775.
Location: The story contrasts the conditions of England and France during this period.
Description of Kings and Queens: Kings are portrayed with large jaws, symbolizing foolishness, while Queens have fair faces but are equally indifferent.

Key Plot Points

Dover Description: The town is a dangerous place filled with thieves and closest to the English Channel.
Coach Travel: Passengers need to stand outside the coach to lighten the load for the horses on the uphill journey.
Character Names: The coachman is named Tom and the guard is named Joe.

Character Interactions

Guard's Nervousness: The guard warns the messenger to stay still to avoid accidental gunfire due to his nerves.
Mr. Jarvis Lorry: Claims connection to Tellson's Bank with the significant line "I belong to Tellson's Bank" and delivers the cryptic message "Recalled to life".

Themes and Foreshadowing

Nervousness of Jerry: Jerry is unsettled by the strange message of "Recalled to life".
Human Capacity: Dickens comments on human potential through the narrative's opening in Chapter Three.
Foreshadowing in Chapter Four: The description of Miss Manette's apartment hints at her difficult future.

Miss Manette's Backstory

Father's Background: Miss Manette's father is from Beauvais and has been imprisoned.
Reaction to News: Upon learning about her father, Miss Manette faints from shock.

Mr. Jarvis Lorry's Actions

Calming Techniques: Lorry attempts to calm himself by thinking of the bank and engages Miss Manette by asking her mathematical questions to clear his mind.
Unintentional Reveal: Lorry inadvertently discloses he did not travel alone from France during a conversation with Miss Manette.

Conclusion

Lorry's Duty: Lorry's underlying responsibility is to safely reconnect Miss Manette with her father, marking the beginning of significant events in their lives.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key vocabulary terms related to the French Revolution, including their meanings and contexts. This quiz will help you understand essential concepts and language used in literature from this historical period.