A Tale of Two Cities - Book II: The Golden Thread, Chapter 3: A Disappointment

Overview

• The chapter is centered around a trial during the French Revolution.
• The prisoner, on trial for treason, is accused by Mr. Attorney General of having engaged in treasonable activities over several years.
• The case involves espionage, with claims of the prisoner passing information between France and England.

Key Characters

• The Prisoner: Accused of treason, alleged to have been secretly traveling between France and England.
• Mr. Attorney General: Represents the prosecution, argues strongly for the prisoner's guilt.
• John Barsad: A witness for the prosecution; presents himself as a patriot but is questioned about his past as a spy.
• Roger Cly: Another witness for the prosecution, claimed to have observed treasonous activity.
• Mr. Jarvis Lorry: Called as a witness, uncertain if he can identify the prisoner.
• Miss Manette: A witness who had encountered the prisoner on a packet ship and provides emotional testimony.
• Dr. Manette: Also called as a witness, has no memory of interactions due to prior imprisonment.
• Mr. Carton: Observes the trial, noted for his resemblance to the prisoner.

Trial Highlights

• Prosecution's Argument:
  • Presents evidence of the prisoner’s engagement in passing secret information.
  • Relies heavily on testimonies of Barsad and Cly, both of whom have questionable credibility.
  • Attempts to show the prisoner’s travel as evidence of espionage.
• Defense's Argument:
  • Highlights the lack of credible evidence from the prosecution's witnesses.
  • Argues that the connections made by the witnesses are coincidental or innocent.
  • Points out the resemblance between Mr. Carton and the prisoner to question the certainty of the witnesses.

Witness Testimonies

• John Barsad: Claims to have observed the prisoner's treasonous activities but is grilled about his integrity and past.
• Roger Cly: Asserts that he witnessed the prisoner carrying lists to France but his reputation is questioned.
• Mr. Jarvis Lorry: Cannot definitively identify the prisoner as someone he saw.
• Miss Manette:
  • Describes meeting the prisoner and speaks of his kindness to her father.
  • Her emotional state and reluctance emphasize her unwilling participation in the trial.
• Dr. Manette: Cannot confirm the prisoner's identity due to his mental blank from past imprisonment.

Outcome

• The trial is filled with tension and uncertainty.
• It is revealed that Mr. Carton and the prisoner bear a strong resemblance, casting doubt on the identification.
• The jury struggles to reach a unanimous decision and retires to deliberate.
• After a delay, the verdict comes in favor of the prisoner: "acquitted."
• The chapter ends with the crowd dispersing after the acquittal announcement.

Themes & Observations

• Patriotism vs. Betrayal: The chapter examines the thin line between patriotism and betrayal, with characters like Barsad claiming noble motives.
• Justice System: Reflects on the justice system, questioning the reliability and biases in legal proceedings.
• Identity and Resemblance: The resemblance between Mr. Carton and the prisoner underscores themes of identity and mistaken perception.
• Human Emotion: The trial stirs strong emotions, particularly seen in Miss Manette’s testimony, highlighting personal anguish amid public duty.
• Social Commentary: Dickens uses the chapter to critique societal norms and the often flawed pursuit of justice during turbulent times.