The very first chapter of this section foreshadows the ultimate betrayal by the Defarges. When the Defarges brings a letter from Dr. Manette to Lucy that says he is alright, Lucy feels that the Defarges will not be kind to him, and she ends up being right.
The story really comes full circle, and we find out the true reason for Dr. Manette putting forth so much effort to help Darnay when he says, "As my beloved child was helpful in restoring me to myself, I will be helpful now in restoring the dearest part of herself to her." Dr. Manette feels this is finally how he can repay his daughter for everything she did for him.
The revolution is becoming unbelievably violent, but Dr. Manette is still confident after 1 year and 3 months that he will be able to free Darnay. He has such confidents because of his time in the Bastille, which once again comes full circle because he is able to use his tradgedy to help another.
At the end of "The Wood-Sawyer", who was Mr. Lorry talking to? Why were they talking about Darnay? It didn't say much, but it left me a bit confused and feeling like I needed to pick up on something I didn't understand? Did anybody understand what was being said??
I believe that the revolution has caused the Defarges to become nothing but blood hungry murderers! What is wrong with them!! They hardly know Darney, and have a very good connection to his wife and his father-in-law, yet they still want him dead when everyone else in Paris was O.K. with him being acquitted. I think its like in the book 1984, they have become so caught up with killing and thinking that they are doing good things that they don't even know the difference between right and wrong anymore, they can't distinguish between the good prisinors and the bad ones.
It started to get a bit confusing when Mr. Stryver and Solomen showed up. All in all, I believe that Solomon was the man, John Barsad, who came into the wine shop and angered the Defarges. The book also said that he was a witness at Darnay's trial, I don't remember that though. Also, he is a friend of Roger Cly, thus he has been a spy for both England and France. At first, when Miss Pross saw her brother, I thought it was going to be comic relief'; apparently I was wrong about that one! What I was really suprised about, though, is when Carton just showed up in the middle of the street! What reason did he have to come to Paris??
So, finally, Sydney, Solomon, and Jerry go visit Mr. Lorry. I believe their intent, because Solomon is an official, is to scare him into helping Darnay by threatening to reveal that he is a spy. In the end, all they could get was a promise that if the trail went bad, they would have access to Darnay one time?? I'm not sure what good that would do, but at lease they have Solomon to work with.
What was so significant about the phrase Carton kept repeating," I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." Does he believe that he is the one that can save Darnay??
In the end, Dr. Manette's letter is coming back to haunt him! It is a good lesson in the fact that you should always be careful what you say because you can't take it back!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
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??
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??
Friday, November 14, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
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."
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."
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