A Tale of Two Cities - Key Points from Lecture

Background

• Author: Charles Dickens
• Publication: Originally published in weekly installments
• Setting: During the French Revolution

Main Characters

• Charles Darnay: A French aristocrat
• Sydney Carton: Darnay's look-alike
• Lucy Manette: The object of affection of both Darnay and Carton
• Dr. Manette: Lucy's father, previously imprisoned in the Bastille
• Jarvis Lorry: A bank clerk and friend to the Manettes
• Monsieur Evremonde: Darnay's uncle, a French nobleman
• Madame Defarge: A revolutionary with a vendetta against the Evremondes

Plot Summary

Opening

• Famous opening line: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
• Jarvis Lorry travels to Dover to meet Lucy Manette, reveals her father is alive.

Dr. Manette's Imprisonment

• Dr. Manette housed in Defarge's wine shop, suffers from psychological trauma.
• Lucy helps her father regain sanity.

Charles Darnay's Trial (1780, London)

• Accused of treason, tried for providing secrets to France.
• Sydney Carton's resemblance leads to Darnay's acquittal.

Love Triangle

• Darnay, Carton, and Mr. Striver fall for Lucy.
• Lucy marries Darnay, Carton professes his willingness to sacrifice for her.

Darnay's Family and Return to France

• Darnay renounces his title, disgusted by uncle's cruelty.
• French Revolution begins, Darnay arrested as a noble and immigrant.

Revolution and Imprisonment

• Defarges central to revolutionary activities, Madame Defarge knits a list of enemies.
• Dr. Manette briefly secures Darnay's release, but Defarges denounce him again.

Carton’s Sacrifice

• Carton swaps places with Darnay in prison, allows Darnay's escape.
• Madame Defarge's death at hands of Miss Pross prevents further harm to Manettes.
• Carton's execution at guillotine, satisfying his promise to Lucy.

Themes

• Sacrifice: Carton’s ultimate sacrifice for love
• Resurrection: Repeated motif, i.e., Dr. Manette's return to life
• Duality: The contrast between the two cities and characters like Darnay and Carton

Important Symbols

• The Guillotine: Represents the Revolution's bloody and unyielding justice
• Knitting: Madame Defarge's list of those condemned to die

Conclusion

• Carton’s act of sacrifice highlights themes of redemption and love.