Lecture Notes: Chapter X of "A Tale of Two Cities"

Overview

• Title: The Substance of the Shadow
• Narrator: Dr. Alexandre Manette
• Setting: Bastille cell, December 1767
• Purpose: To document his experiences and injustices observed

Key Events

Dr. Manette's Imprisonment

• Dr. Manette writes from his cell in the Bastille.
• Uses soot, charcoal, and blood to write.
• Aware of his deteriorating mental state.

The Mysterious Encounter (December 1757)

• Dr. Manette was summoned by two men in a carriage.
• The men were similar in appearance and identified themselves as gentlemen.
• They were armed, and Dr. Manette went with them to avoid conflict.

The Patients

First Patient: Young Woman

• Taken to a house outside Paris.
• The woman was in distress, bound with gentleman's attire.
• She repeatedly cried out: "my husband, my father, and my brother" followed by counting to twelve.
• The woman's condition suggested she was pregnant.

Second Patient: Young Peasant Boy

• Found dying in a loft; had a sword wound.
• The boy explained he was attacked by the noblemen over family disputes.
• Revealed systemic oppression by the nobles.

The Brothers

• Twin brothers, likely nobles, involved in both patients' situations.
• Showed no empathy or remorse.
• The younger brother had fought with the boy, leading to his fatal injury.

Dr. Manette's Dilemma

• Forced into silence about the events he witnessed.
• Attempted to report the incident to the minister.
• Realized the power dynamics and potential danger involved.

The Visitation by the Marquis' Wife

• The Marquis' wife approached Dr. Manette seeking information.
• Acknowledged the noble's (her husband's) role in the atrocities.
• Expressed a desire to help any surviving family members of the victims.

Captivity and Reflections

• Dr. Manette's capture: Kidnapped and brought to the Bastille.
• Suffered isolation and uncertainty about his family's fate.
• Denounced the noble family with a red cross, wishing for eventual justice.

Public Reaction and Consequences

• Reading of Dr. Manette's letter incited public outrage.
• The Defarges used the letter to fuel revolutionary sentiments.
• The noble family, especially Charles Darnay, faced public condemnation.

Themes and Analysis

• Oppression: Highlighted through the experiences of the peasant family.
• Justice and Vengeance: The narrative fueled revolutionary fervor.
• Class Conflict: Clear divide and resentment between nobles and peasants.
• Sacrifice and Martyrdom: Expectations during revolutionary times.

Conclusion

• Dr. Manette's narrative is a powerful testimony against aristocratic abuses.
• It serves as a catalyst for revolutionary action and personal tragedy for Charles Darnay.