The Knitting Done: Chapter Summary

Setting and Characters

• Time & Place: During the French Revolution.
• Main Characters:
  • Madame Defarge: Ruthless revolutionary leader.
  • The Vengeance: Madame Defarge's loyal lieutenant.
  • Jacques III: Revolutionary jury member.
  • The Wood-sawyer: Observes but does not participate in the meeting.
  • Miss Pross: Loyal to the Evremonde family.
  • Mr. Cruncher: An ally, helping Miss Pross and others escape.

Plot Developments

The Revolutionary Plot

• Madame Defarge holds a secret meeting with The Vengeance and Jacques III.
• They discuss Madame Defarge's lack of trust in her husband, Defarge, due to his sympathetic views towards Dr. Manette.
• Madame Defarge is determined to exterminate the Evremonde family, including Lucie and her child.

Role of the Wood-sawyer

• Madame Defarge enlists the Wood-sawyer as a witness to accuse Lucie of signaling prisoners.
• The Wood-sawyer agrees to testify, revealing the extent of the revolutionary zeal.

Madame Defarge's Determination

• Madame Defarge plans to ensure no one escapes from her clutches.
• She assigns tasks to her allies to ensure her plans succeed.

Conflict with Miss Pross

• Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher are trying to protect Lucie and others by arranging a secret escape.
• Madame Defarge confronts Miss Pross, seeking Lucie.
• A fierce confrontation ensues between Madame Defarge and Miss Pross.
  • Miss Pross's Determination: Despite her lack of physical strength, her emotional resolve is depicted as stronger than Madame Defarge's hatred.
  • Madame Defarge's Demise: In the struggle, Madame Defarge is accidentally killed by her own weapon.

Themes

• Revenge and Hatred: Madame Defarge’s actions driven by hatred for the Evremonde family.
• Loyalty and Sacrifice: Miss Pross’s loyalty to Lucie showcases the theme of sacrifice.
• Fear and Desperation: Characters are driven by fear and desperation in a time of chaos.

Conclusion

• Madame Defarge’s death indicates a turning point in the revolutionaries' plan.
• Miss Pross, now deaf from the confrontation, reflects on the silent stillness following the tumult.

Reflection

• The chapter portrays the extremities of revolutionary fervor and personal vendettas.
• It highlights the strength of personal bonds against vast political machinations.
• Emphasizes the destructive power of revenge and the resilience found in loyalty.