Tale of Two Cities pages 204 - 246

In "The Sea Still Rises," the title cleary depicts what the chaper is about. The Jacques and their army are not finished when they discover 'old Foulon' is in town. I presume that old Foulon is Roger Cly for Mr. Defarge made reference to how this man's funeral was faked. Also, the people didn't like when they thought he was dead, thus the reason for the enraged fury when they found out he was still alive and in Saint Antoine.

In the next chapter, I first thought the mender of the roads and the traveler, who are both Jacques, were planning to set the prisinor who hangs above the fountain free, but in the end they just burn down the chateau where the marquis used to reside. Is this just another act against the royal people, or was there more significance to it??
This is the first time that we are introduced to Monsieur Gabelle. At this point, I was a bit confused on what his role was and why he didn't want it to happen. Later in the story, though, we are able to connect that he was there to sort of make sure there were no acts against the government and royal family, but when the mender of the roads burns down the chateau, they think Gabelle had something to do with it, and send him to prison.

Three more years pass since the burning of the chateau. The war still continues and many changes have taken place. Monseigneur has fled, the court is no longer in action, and the Royalty has been "suspended," which is ironic considering, who suspends Royalty?? Aren't they the ones in charge??

The situation with Temple bank being a safe place for the high class French to go and not be in danger confused me a little bit. I mean, I understand that the bank feels they owe them something for these rich people are probably what has kept the bank alive, but this is a time of war, why would the bank want to put themselves in the middle of such turmoil??

In the next couple of chapters, we move into a big part of the story. At first, only Mr. Lorry has to travel to the Tellson's bank in France to deliver a document so important that he must do it himself, and Darnay is worried for his health and safety because of his age and the war. Darnay also admits to himself, while with Mr. Lorry, that he sometimes feels bad for leaving his fellow Frenchman. This is a foreshadow that he may possible have a change of heart and is thinking of going back to France. When Darnay recieves the letter from Gabelle, who is now in prison in France, he finally realizes that he must stop being a coward and go to Paris and do whatever he can to salvage what is left of his name, and his country. I was surprised he didn't tell Dr. Manette when he left, for Dr. Manette knew of his situation as the Marquis anyways. The end of the second book talks about how Darnay has "floated away for the Loadstone Rock." What exactly is the 'loadstone rock', what does it symbolize or signify to us as a reader??

I was a bit confused when in the middle of the night these men come to Darnay and tell him he needs an escort!? Why would they care about his safety, how do they know that he needs an escort over other people. The escorts were drunk half the time anyways, which made me think at one point that they were just con artists trying to get money out of naieve travelers. Also, these men had red caps on, which are what the Jacques have been wearing, right?? So maybe these men know that Darnay is the Marquis and thus were there to assure he makes it to Paris to be put in prison??

I believe that Defarges plans to add Darnay to the registry of names for he looked at Darnay "speaking with knitted brows." I also think that it must be difficult for Defarge to have such a connection to this man through Lucie and not even think about helping him. There has to be some degree of inner conflict within Defarge.

The big mystery of this section is what "in secret" means. Darnay's prison letter is stamped with "in secret", and we later find out that it is bad news if you are in prison "in secret.". So what does it mean? When will we find out what it means?

The crowd outside Darnay's cell yelled "he made shoes" several times. This is obviously a reference to Dr. Manette, but how could this crowd of ordinary citizens possible know the connection Darnay has to Dr. Manette. So was this just in his head??
I was also surprised that Dr. Manette was looked upon as such a hero in Paris. It has been many years since has has been in Paris, he must have made quite an impact on the people of Paris. Also, I am surprised that Dr. Manette came so willingly to Paris to save a man whose family imprisoned him for 18 years. He is hearing and seeing so much that has to remind him of his time in prison, how is he so calm about it? Why is he not struggling with this situation?

Finally, there is the grindstone. First, Mr. Lorry says it is used to kill prisinors. Later, he tells Lucie that it is used to sharpen swords. Which is it? Also, what exactly does a grindstone look like?? Why would that be used to kill people with the guillotine is so close to being introduced and used??

Tale of Two Cities Pages 161 - 204

At the beginning of "Still Knitting" it is stated that "when the knife struck home (when Marquis was killed) the faces changed, from faces of pride to faces of anger and pain" I was quite confused by this for wouldn't the common people be secretly thrilled that somebody finally took revenge on the greedy and selfish Marquis?? Later on in the same chapter, a spy comes into the wine shop. I believe the Defarges know he is a spy because the mender of the roads forwarned them. This spy is obviously trying to reveal the secret "Jacques" group, for when he calls Mr. Defarge "Jacques", Mr. Defarge acts as if he has never heard this name before. I think, that since Roger Cly's funeral was faked, this spy is Roger Cly, and since he has had past encounters with the Defarges(Darney's trial and such) he is going to be able to expose Mr. Defarge and his secret group. They spy continues to tell the Defarges that Lucie is going to marry Charles Darney, and that he is now the Marquis, considering he is the nephew of the Marquis and the Marquis has been killed. I am unable to decide if the Defarges are happy or displeased with Lucie and her choice for marriage. Also, is it the fact that he is the Marquis, and nobody knows it, one of the two promises he made to Dr. Manette?? Is that what he is going to tell him on his and Lucie's wedding day?

We also learn of why Madame Defarge and all the other women knit so much. It is what replaces the feeling of hunger, the feeling of want in a society where her needs aren't even taken care of. She believes that if she stops knitting, stops the mechanical movement, her stomach will be even more "famine-pinched."

After the heartwrenching scene between Lucie and her father on the night before her wedding, Miss Pross provides comic relief by stating that she is still considering whether of not Solomon should have been the groom. Shortly after this light scene, Darney and Dr. Manette come out of the room they have been in and Darney is pale white, apparently his telling the Dr. his real name and his business didn't go as well as he thought??

It was also terrible devestating when Dr. Manette goes back to shoe-making when Lucie leaves, but it is easy to understand, for when Lucie isn't there the only thing he can remember to do is make shoes. That is what he has done when Lucie hasn't been there.

So, on the tenth day Dr. Manette is back to normal and doesn't even remember his relapse?? Thus the reason Mr. Lorry is able to question him about himself whithout Dr. Manette knowing?? I thought it was almost a full circle story when Dr. Manette was able to explain why he had his relapse when he tells Mr. Lorry that people relapse when "there has been a strong and extraordinary revival of the train of thought and remembrance that was the first cause of the malady." That is exactly what happened! Lucie was taken away from him again just like the first time when he went to prison for 18 years.

Mr. Lorry is finally able, with persistance, make Dr. Manette say it would be best to take away the tools of his trade. Without hesitation Mr. Lorry and Miss Pross do! I was so utterly suprised by this, yet am quite worried that they have made a terrible mistake, for what happens the next time Lucie leaves and Dr. Manette has another relapse, though there is not tools there for him to fill his desire??

When Lucie is talking to Darney about Mr. Carton she says "remember how strong we are in our happinesses and how weak he is in his misery." That quote struck me because is something so true, and something that we often forget even today. It is easy to take our happiness for granite, and forget how lonely people can be in their misery.

Finally, chapter 21, Echoing Footsteps. I was able to percieve that it is six years later and Lucie has a daughter! The beginning of the chapter is confusing though, what are all these footsteps she is hearing? Why are there "bad" ones in the distance?? It then goes on to tell that Mr. Defarges and the Jacques have attacked the government and set the prisinors free, I think? But in the last paragraph is states, "Now, Heaven defeat the fancy of Lucie Darnay, and keep these feet far out of her life." Are these feet, the feet of murderers and rebels the feet she is hearing in the distance at the beginning of the chapter?? This is apparently a foreshadow of hard times to come for Lucie Darnay....and thus where we will probably see Sydney fulfill his promise to her.

Tale of Two Cities Pages 118 - 161

After reading the fist chapter, I predict that Lucie will decline Darney's proposal of marriage for it would be to simple, and our love story would be over. When Lucie comes home that night she hears a "low hammering sound in his(Dr. Manette's) bedroom"-does that indicate that he is making shoes again??

I'm starting to think that Stryver is threatened or jelous of Sydney for he always has to bring him down. For instance, he brags to him how he is so knowledgeable of women and knows what they need and want, and tells Mr. Carton that he knows nothing of the society of women and should just find some young lady that will marry him and take care of him before it is too late. When Stryver tells Sydney of his plans to marry Lucie, Sydney begins to drink more and more. This is another parallel to the book 1984 and to society in general. It shows how then and now, people are unable to face difficult realities and turn to alcohol to cover the pain.
I understand why Stryver is not a suitable husband for Lucie, but was was Mr. Lorry's reasoning exactly??

I find it difficult to accept that when Mr. Lorry tells Stryver that Lucie says 'no' he just accepts it and moves on. He strikes me as the kind of man who would not take 'no' for an answer and would persist to force her to marry him, thus I think Stryver is not done with Lucie yet.

Sydney and Lucie's talk is a big tuning point in the story, for Sydney tells Lucie that at first she made him dream again of being successful, but now, when he knows he can't have her, he has become depressingly worse. It is a turning point for Sydney because he finally shows his true self to Lucie, although he says he will never talk about it again, which would make for awkward situations if you ask me. I predict, now that Lucie knows the real Sydney, her feelings are going to change towards him, and he will end up being the one that gets Lucie.

Roger Cly's funeral was a bit confusing, but I think I was able to straighten it out: since he was a spy the people didn't like him, so they stormed his hearse and "buried" him themselves with much disgrace?? We also learn an idiosyncracy(did you catch that vocab word, Mrs.H??) about Mr. Cruncher that he likes watching funerals - this foreshadows the details of his secret "job."

Finding out what Mr. Cruncher does at night was one of the most interesting part for me. First of all, before I even knew what he did, I have to say that I think he is a bit mentally unstable. Anyways, we finally know why he has rust under his fingernails, and why he has mud on his boots. What exactly though is he "fishing" for when he digs up dead people?? Is he merely taking expensive posessions like wedding rings and other such things that are burried with people?? Or is it something else??

Finally, the end was semi-confusing, although I think we are supposed to be guessing yet. The mender of the roads has this big story of a prisinor, who I am wondering if he is Dr. Manette, and he tells the Jacques what he knows, and now Monseiur and Madame Defarge are allowing him to become a Jacques, too?? This prisinor, though, ties back to Monseigneur and the Marquis, for I think he killed Marquis, but then at one point one of the Jacques says that this prisinor story happened some twenty five years ago, which makes me think it is Dr. Manette! So, all in all, confusing part, but a large part of the story that will hopefully straghten itself out in the end.

As I was reading this week, a though occured to me that Dr. Manett is the "christ-like" figure in this story. It is easy to see because he goes away for 18 years, is thought to be dead, and comes back and is now a very highly respected man. Perhpas this has no relevance to the story, but it is something we learned to look for in "lit like a professor."

Tale of Two Cities Pages 82 - 118

At the beginning of this week's reading we are introduced to another new character, Miss Pross. It took me awhile, but I eventually figured out that she is the woman who comforted Lucie when she was told at the hotel that her father was "recalled to life." Miss Pross is very protective of Miss Manette and therefore despises the scores of men who come to visit Miss Manette for she fears one of them will win Lucie's heart and Miss Pross will be no longer needed.

Miss Pross and Mr. Lorry have an interesting conversation in which we find out that Mr. Lorry knows the cause of Dr. Manette's previous opression. He also questions Miss Pross on whether or not she believes Dr. Manette know's what or whom is responsible for his previous opressions, and thus posing the question of why is Mr. Lorry so curious?? Does he not wish for Dr. Manette to know who caused such terrible years of his life??

We also leared that there is, obviously, much internal conflict with Dr. Manette as he is often found pacing back and forth in his bedroom late at night. I belive that this will be one of the main ideas in the story, his overcoming of his inability to remember and talk about his dark years, and find the reasons for which they occured.

Several times throughout these pages I found the mention of the color blue. Miss Pross lives in a blue chamber, and there was seveal mentions of Monseigneur's blue cap. Color always has a significance, especially in Dickens's work, so what does this repetative mention of blue symbolize??

One of the most interesting parts of the reading was when Mr. Darney speaks of the prisinor writing the work "DIG" on the wall, and then the men finding the burned bag and papers. It was made clear that this statement startled/bothered Dr. Manette. It was be easy to assume that the prisnor that Mr. Darney is telling about is Dr. Manette, but I think that would be too easy, I believe Dr. Manette knows something about it, but I believe there is much more too it. Also, Mr. Darney spoke of it so out of the blue that I believe he is up to something....

Rain begins to fall slowly as the group at the Manette's is departing, and rain always means something. I believe it is somewhat of a foreshadowing that a renewal or rebirth is to come for Dr. Manette for he is the only one that was ever mentioned getting wet. I didn't quite understand what was meant by the "hundreds of people coming in and out of our lives" and the footsteps that they supposedly heard, but I do think that the way Dickens used the storm to make us, the reader, able to hear and understand what the sound of rushing people is like was beautifully done.

I love the part about Monseigneur's party, for so much of the same can be found here today. He made large reference to how all the men there had these big fancy jobs, but had never actually done anything to better their field, and most hardly knew anything about their field of work. All they cared about was how they looked, that was all that mattered.

I found a correlation to the book 1984 after Monsieur ran over the young boy and it said that "Monsieur the Marquis leaned back in his seat and was just being drived anay with the air of a gentleman who had accidently broken some common thing, and had paid for it, and couuld pay for it." That completely summed up the way Monsieur the Marquis felt about the young boy, and this is exactly the problem with the society in 1984, there is no feelings towards other human beings.

I was also suprised that Defarge and his wife were present here, it makes me wonder if they will play a large role in this story afterall??

At the bottom of page 102 Dickens repeatedly used the word "ran" to describe life getting back in order, why? Perhaps to show that even though this young boy was carelessly ran over, life will not stop, it will run pass the boy and his family without even noticing them...something figurative like that I presume.

The last big thing we learned is that Mr. Darney is Monseigneur's nephew. Mr. Darney does not trust his uncle, and much talk about the state of their family name takes place. Finally, at the end, a knife was found with a note on it on Monsieur the Marquies pillow I belive. I predict that it was the father of the boy who died who has left this threat for Monsieur the Marquies.

Tale of Two Cities Pages 45-82

"Death is nature's remedy for all things." Dicken's stated this at the beginning of this weeks reading and it struck me as perhaps the most ironic yet true statement I have come across thus far in this book. I have never heard of death referred to in such a way, but I do believe in what he is saying. Telson's bank is described, and I was surprised to find that it was made out to be a very dirty and rundown place.

We are introduced to Mr. Cruncher, and a woman I presumed to be his wife. I found this household to be very strange, for first off, Mr. Cruncher was very angry at her for praying, and for making his boots muddy? How did she make them muddy? Also, why did he think that she didn't want him to make any money? I was left with many questions after reading about the Cruncher family, but hopefully it will come together and make more sense soon.

As I read about the court and how the people were so intent on watching the criminal and his trial like it was a form of entertainment, it reminded me of 1984 in where people have no concern for others and their well being.

Jerry and young Jerry both made mentions to the rust under Jerry's fingers. I feel that this definatly has some symbolism, for young Jerry made the point to ask "how does he get so much rust under them, he doesn't get it from being the odd-job man" ... so what does it mean, what does it tell us about Jerry??

This whole trial was a bit confusing, but in the end, I think that Miss Manette and her father had the proof that Mr. Darnay was committing treason, but since he helped them, they didn't really want to accuse him. Or perhaps, Mr. Darnay wasn't really a criminal at all??

It was very ironic when Mr. Darney joked that George Washington might gain almost as great of name as King George. This was thought of as to be a "monsterous joke", but in reality we all know that George Washington did achieve such a name. This goes to show how much easier and helpful it is when reading a book like this to know your history!!

So, at the end of the trial, he is acquitted, but why? They were so sure he would be sentenced to death that before the trial even started they prepared various methods of death.

My other question about the end of the tiral is when Mr. Lorry hands Jerry the note to be taken back to the bank and it says "acquitted", Jerry remarks that "If you had sent the message, Recalled to Life, again, I should have known what you meant this time." I feel this was an important line for it referred back to the "recalled to death" line, so what did Jerry mean by this?? Did he instead expect Mr. Lorry to write "recalled to death".

Finally, in the last chapter, we are introduced to another new character, Mr. Carton. We soon find out he is working with Mr. Stryver, so what was the point of going to the bar with Mr. Darney?? What was he trying to get out of him?? And then when he goes back to work with Mr. Stryver, what exactly were they doing?? In the very final paragraphs I think Dickens is trying to explain that Mr. Carton can see his potential but cannot motivate himself to reach it, Mr. Carton finds it easier to just feel sorry for himself, thus the tears on the pillow.

All in all, I think this book will be very interesting if I am able to follow it. The most confusing part right now is remembering it is five years later from the first book, and also the fact that there are so many new characters and trying to keep them all straight.

1984 Pages 161 - END!

I finally feel like, in this last section, we were told why the Party puts so much time and energy into torturing their victims. Because of Winston's agreement to the "brotherhood", the Party knew that he would be one to revolt, and therefore, must stop that from happening by brainwashing him, which they did exceptionally well. I once again felt bad for Winston, because as hard as he tried, whatever answer he gave, it was always going to be the wrong answer. There has never been more of a "lose lose" sitiuation than that of Wintson in the Ministry of Love.

The odd thing was that O'brien was quite honest with Winston. At one point he even admitted that "We are not interested in the goods of others, we are interested in the good of ourselves [the Party]. Finally, the truth!

On page 263 Orwell makes mention to the Nazi and Russian Communists and their faults as supreme rulers. This not only goes along with the story in the book, but also the whole point of the book in that if those parties would have gotten it right, this is what could very well have happened. Ironically, we all find this book so strange and unreal, yet 6 million jews were killed in real life labor camps. Thus posing the question, is this book really that unbelievable??

On page 265 there was a surprising and abrupt change in Winston. He started talking back to O'brien, disagreeing, and even telling him that the party would ultimately fail. The even stranger thing was that O'brien didn't become upset. I also found it ironic when O'brien stated that "there will be no need of science." Science is one of the main reasons the Party is where they are today. From the machines to the brainwashing, it's all a form of science.

When Winston had that dream, and he was calling for Julia, he finally enjoyed a Victory over the Party. He felt it as a Victory, because all though he was punished for it, they hadn't completely taken over him, they had not got his emotions. This was perhaps the only uplifting moment in this week's reading.

As far as the rats, that was a brilliant plan. Placing someone in a situation with his or her biggest fear is perhaps the most ideal way to break them down. It surely worked on Winston, for he gave up Julia, thus his emotions, and completely surrendered to the Party. Finally, as Winston was was talking about how long it would be before he was shot, the comment was made that "They would blow a hole in their own perfection." Exactly, so why do it?? They finally made Winston the "perfect" brainwashed citizen, so why would they want to eventually shoot him??

As the chapters went on, I found there to be two abrupt changes in Winston without any warning or explanation. First, when he was all the sudden put into a nicer cell and allowed to gain his strength back, and second, when he was released he was suddenly extremely loyal to the Party. I just felt it a bit odd, almost rushed, that we didn't have any reasonings or weren't able to know what he was thinking. I felt, when he was back to normal life, that I was an outsider looking into a character that I barely knew.

Although the ending may not have been a real dazzler, it clearly makes the point the story was intending. If communism prevails, this is what could happen, even the most anti-party people can be unknowingly brainwashed, or tortured, into loyal party members.

1984 Pages 225 - 261

"He was in a high-ceilinged windowless cell with walls of glittering white porcelain." This line at the beginning of Section 3 is quite ironic for "white" especially pure white, is a universal sign for purity and peace. The place Winston is describing though, is the Ministry of Love, where nothing but torture and death takes place.

As I begun reading I made a prediction that the Ministry of Love would not be what Winston had always assumed. As I finished the reading, though, it actually was exactly what Winston had imagined.

Winston made the comment in the beginning that "it was the place with no darkness." This is ironic because, everything about it was dark. From the feelings it evoked to the occurances in the torture rooms, there was no place darker than the Ministry of Love.

My question in this section was who is Ampleforth?? Had O'brien told him that the bearer of the razor blade would be named Ampleforth? I thought the whole part was a bit confusing. When Amplefoth arrived and there was about six people in the cell, they made a connection about the "skeleton faced man". After the whole group had this sort of "coming together" I had thought that perhaps they would rebel. After all, what did they have to lose?

I was very surprised to see Mr. Parsons come in. First, it was quite a coincidence that Winston and him would end up being captured at the same time. Secondly, Parsons always bewilders me for he is so niave and stupid. His own daughter turns him in, and he is proud of her!!

When Winston was "rolling down a mighty corridor, rolling with laughter and shouting confessions at the top of his voice." I imagined that he was close to death, for this was almost like one of those flashbacks people talk about when they are between life and death.

As Winston is being tortured, it reminds me of the expiraents done on the Jewish prisinors in the Nazi labor camps. Also, I was a bit surprised that Winston kept telling the truth when O'brien asked him how many fingers he was holding up. Winston kept saying four, if he would have just said five right away, I think he would have endured much less pain. Finally, as I was reading about all the torture and the Party's reasoning that they were doing this to make him "sane" again. The question, once again, came to my mind of what is the purpose of this?? Who is benefitting from this? The fear itself of being arrested by the thought police is enough to keep the citizens in line, so why the arresting and brainwashing? What is the point of all this??

As far as room 101, O'brien said that "you know what is in room 101, everone knows what is in room 101." Well, I'm not sure, but I can speculate that it is where prisinors are actually killed. I'm afraid, though, that we will soon find out when Winston is sent there.