TOTC+-+What+to+look+for

BOOK THE FIRST Chapter 5
 * The vivid description of the scene outside the wine shop and its foreshadowing
 * The characterization of Monseiur and Madame Defarge
 * The significance of Madame Defarge's knitting?
 * The use of the name "Jacques" - purpose/effect?

Chapter 6
 * Madame Defarge and how much she 'sees'
 * The captive state of Dr. Manette and his characterization
 * The more melodramatic descriptions and scenes in this chapter - around whom do they center?
 * The connection between and among all the characters up to this point

BOOK THE SECOND Chapter 1
 * The description of Tellson's Bank
 * Mr. Cruncher's night-time job and his description. How is it both comic and consistent w/ Dickens' attack on social conditions?
 * Cruncher's relationship with his wife; her 'flopping'
 * The resemblance between Mr. Cruncher and Young Jerry

Chapter 2
 * Dickens' criticism of Old Bailey and Bedlam
 * Cruncher's reaction to the charge of treason and the possible sentence of 'drawing and quartering'
 * The courtroom atmosphere and view of the accused, Charles Darnay
 * The changed impression of Dr. Manette

Chapter 3
 * How Mr. Attorney-General's case is portrayed
 * How Stryver manages to discredit the witnesses for the prosecution
 * The "buzzing of blue flies"
 * The name of the chapter and its significance

Chapter 4
 * The characterization of Sydney Carton
 * The interaction between Carton and Darnay

Chapter 5
 * What is the relationship between the so-called Jackal and Lion?
 * Consider both the indirect and direct characterization that Dickens uses with both Carton and Stryver.
 * Look up a jackal if you do not know what it is, and analyze the metaphor Dickens draws.

Chapter 6
 * Why is Miss Pross jealous of Carton and Darnay?
 * How is the stare at on page 85 of chapter 4 (Manette to Darnay) repeated and augmented here?
 * What do the echoing steps foreshadow?

Chapter 7
 * Note*** "Monseigneur" and "Monsieur the Marquis" are two different people. "Monseigneur" is intended to be a general representation of the nobility, while "Monsieur the Marquis" is a specific individual.
 * Notice Dickens' heaping of verbally ironic sarcasm on Monseigneur, as well as its intent and effect.
 * What is the moral climate created by Monseigneur's guests?
 * How does the Marquis rationalize the accident?
 * How does Dickens connect Madame Defarge with the fates of classical mythology? Look at the accident scene through the end of the chapter.

Chapter 8
 * What does the setting sun on the Marquis' face suggest?
 * What accounts for the apathetic condition of the crops, the village, and its people?
 * Consider the irony of the Marquis' rudeness when he refers to the road-mender as "pig."
 * How does this chapter confirm a connection between Darnay and the Marquis?

Chapter 9
 * Look up, if you need to, the Gorgons of mythology. How does the title seem appropriate to the chapter?
 * Though closely related, how do the Marquis and his nephew from England radically differ?
 * What intentions does the Marquis imply he has towards Dr. Manette and to his nephew?
 * How does the note around the murder weapon explain why the Marquis was killed?
 * Why is the Marquis, uncle to Charles Darnay, actually his enemy?

http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/2cities/pva61.html
 * Thank you to Philip V. Allingham, Contributing Editor, Victorian Web; Faculty of Education, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, for these questions. Accessed 5/5/10