It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness
speaker: narrator
context: opening sentence of chapter 1
importance: shows the extremes of the society in 1775, and sets the reader up for Dickens' satirical tone
Wait at Dover for Mam'selle. It's not long, you see, guard. Jerry, say that my answer was, recalled to life.
speaker: mr.Lorry
context: Jerry just delivered a message from Tellson's to Mr. Lorry
importance: introduces the theme recalled to life, secrets, and codes; no one but Mr. Lorry understands the code
Recalled to Life. That's a blazing strange message. Much of that wouldn't do for you, Jerry! I say, Jerry! You'd be in a blazing bad way, if recalling to life was to come into fashion, Jerry!
speaker: Jerry
context: after delivering the message recalled to life to Mr.Lorry
importance: the phrase "recalled to life" has a different meaning to Jerry; clue to his night job
Except on the crown, which was raggedly bald, he had stiff, black hair, standing jaggedly all over it, and growing downhill almost to his broad, blunt nose. It was so like smith's work, so much more like the top of a strongly spiked wall than a head of h
speaker: narrator
context: Jerry is being described as he is going back to Tellson's after delivering Mr. Lorry the message
importance: gives comic relief; sets Jerry up as a comic character
But he has been-been found. He is alive. Greatly changed, it is too probable; almost a wreck, it is possible; though we will hope the best. Still, alive. Your father has been taken to the house of an old servant in Paris, and we are going there: I, to id
speaker: Mr. Lorry
context: Mr. Lorry is telling Lucie her father is still a live; they are at the Royal George Hotel in London
importance: Lucie's life is being rearranged; Lucie has to go with Mr. Lorry to recall Dr. Mannet back to life
It is a lady's walking shoe. it is in the present mode. I never saw the mode. I have had a pattern in my head
speaker: Dr. Manette
context: Mr. Lorry and Lucie have gone upstairs to the garrote to see Dr. Manette, and he is making shoes
importance: making shoes is Dr. Manette's coping mechanism; the measurement is his wife's shoe size
Did you ask for my name... 105 North Tower.
speaker: Dr. Mannet
context: Mr. Lorry and Lucie have gone upstairs to the garret to see Dr. Mannet
importance: gives a hint to his past; he thinks of himself as just a prisoner; he doesn't have an identity anymore
what do you mean by flopping yourself down and praying agin' me?
speaker: Jerry
context: in the Cruncher family's apartment; Jerry notices that his wife is praying, and he thinks that she is praying against him
importance: subplot of the Cruncher's life
his fingers is always rusty. Where does he get all that iron rust from. He don't get no ruse here (on our stool).
speaker: little Jerry
context: The Cruncher family is talking after Jerry gets home from work
importance: foreshadows Jerry's night job
he'll be drawn on a hurdle to be half hanged, and then he'll be taken down and sliced before his own face, and then his inside will be taken out and burnt while he looks on, and then his head will be chopped off, and he'll be cut into quarters. That's th
speaker: bluefly/spectator
context: at Charles Daray's trial; someone asked what his punishment was
importance: theme of secrets; their is punishment for keeping secrets
His face had become frozen,as it were , in a very curious look at Darnay: an intent look, deepening into a frown of dislike and distrust, not even unmixed with fear. With this strange expression on him his thoughts had wandered away.
speaker: narrator
context: after first trial, and Dr. Manette looks at Charls Darnay
importance: recognizes the family resemblance between Darnay and the Marquis; clue as to why Dr. Manette was imprisoned
... already fast shouldering his way to a large and lucrative practice...
speaker: narrator
context: Mr Carton and Mr. Stryver are having dinner
importance: Mr. Stryver is shouldering his way to success
'there never was,not will be, but one man worthy of Ladybird,' said -----; 'and that was my brother Solomon, if he hadn't made a mistake in life.
speaker: miss Pross
context: miss Pross and Mr. Lorry are talking about Lucie's many suitors
importance: situational irony because Solomon is later discovered to be a spy
Every stone if its inner wall was covered by inscriptions which had been carved by prisoners- dates, names, complaints, and prayers...Upon a corner in the angle of a wall, one prisoner, who seemed to have gone to execution, had cut, at his last work, thr
speaker: Charles Darnay
context: Darnay is telling the DIG story under the plain tree
importance: mirror scence to when Defarge was searching Dr. Manette's cell
[He] could swallow a great many things with ease, and was by some few sullen minds supposed to be rather rapidly swallowing France; but, his morning's chocolate could not so much get into [his throat] without the aid of four strong men...
speaker: narrator
context: mocking the nobility of the Monsignor in town
importance: shows how Monsignor lives an unnecessarily expensive and lavish lifestyle
Be a brave man, my Gaspard: It is better for the poor little thing to die so, than to live in such times as these. It has died in a moment without pain. Could it have lived an hour as happily?
speaker: Defarge
context: after Gaspard's chile was run over by the Marquis' carriage
importance: shows how miserable the lives of the french peasants are
It was a heavy mass of building,... with a large stone courtyard before it, and two stone sweeps of staircase meeting in a stone terrace... a stony business altogether, with heavy stone balustrades, stone urns, and stone flowers, and stone faces of men,
speaker: narrator
context: the Marquis has just arrived back at the chateau after the party
importance: the stone reflects the Marquis' personality; sense of place
They are sought by so many, and they are granted (comparatively) to so few! It used not to be so, but... in all such things is changed for the worse. Our not remote ancestors held the right life and death over the surrounding vulgar.
speaker: Marquis
context: having a conversation with Darnay while they are having dinner at the chateau
importance: shows the Marquis' superior way of thinking
... a face... I can look at... which looks at me with any deference on it but the dark deference of fear and slavery.
speaker: Marquis
context: conversation with Darnay at the chateau
importance: the Marquis likes the idea of slavery
repression is only lasting philosophy. The card deference of fear and slavery. will keep the dogs obedient to the whip.
speaker: Marquis
context: at dinner with Darnay
importance: doesn't care about the people of france
The property and France are lost to me... I renounce them.
speaker: Charles Darnay
context: at dinner with the Marquis at the chateau
importance: Darnay doesn't care about France
I renounce it...If it ever becomes mine, it shall be put into some hands better qualified to free it slowly...from the weight that drags it down, so that the miserable people who cannot leave it and who have been wrung to the last point of endurance may,
speaker: Darnay
context: Darnay is having dinner at the chateau with the Marquis
importance: Darnay doesn't care about France; he doesn't think of it as home
Driven home into the heart of the stone figure attached to it was a knife.. 'Drive him fast to his tomb.' This, from ----.
speaker: note from Gaspard
context: the note is left on the Marquis after Gaspard stabs him
importance: tells us who murdered to Marquis (Gaspard)
Dr. Manette sat with his face turned away, and his eyes bent on the ground...he turned towards him in his chair, but did not look at him, or raise his eyes. His chin dropped upon his hand, and his white hair overshadowed his face.
speaker: narrator
context: Darnay is talking to Dr. Manette about loving Lucie
importance: Dr. Manette is unsure about something about Darnay; foreshadowing to what Darnay's real name is
I don't care about fortune: she is a charming creature, and I have made up my mind to please myself: on the whole, I can afford to please myself...I feel Miss Manette will tell well in any station, and will always do me credit.
speaker: Mr. Stryver
context: Stryver and Carton are talking at Temple Bar
importance: shows the arrogance of Stryver
Well! I'll say gallantry meaning is that I am a man who cares to be more agreeable, who takes more pains to be agreeable, who knows better how to be agreeable, in a women's society, than you do.
speaker: Stryver
context: Carton and Stryver are talking at Temple Bar
importance: verbal irony; because stryver is actually very big-headed
Oh, Father, I should so like to be a resurrection-man when I'm quite grown up!
speaker: little jerry
context: Jerry and litte Jerry are talking the morning after little Jerry follows Jerry to his occupation of the night
importance: little Jerry wants to make his dad proud
The chateau and all the race. Extermination!
speaker: Defarge
context: Mme. Defarge is knitting the Marquis' family into her register
importance: dooms anyone connected to the Evremonde family
'It does not take a long time,' said ---, somposedly, 'does it take to make and store the lightning? Tell me.' --- raised his head thoughtfully, as if there were something in that too. 'It does not take a long tim,' said ---, 'for and earthquake to swall
speaker: Defarges
contextL they are at the wine shop after they talk to Jaques 3 about Gaspard
importance: the defarges are preparing to start the revolution
I'm a mere man of business, and unfit to cope with such intricate and difficult manners.
speaker: Mr. Lorry
context: he was talking to Dr. Manette about the relapse
importance: Mr. Lorry repeats that he is a man of buisiness
On the drunken occasion in question (one of a large number, as you know), I was insufferable about liking you, and not liking you. I wish you would forget it.
speaker: Carton
context: Carton and Darnay are talking
importance: Darnay belittles Carton
I fear he is not to be reclaimed; there is scarcely a hope that anything in his character or fortunes is reparable now. But, I am sure he is capable of good things, gentle things, even magnanimous things.
speaker: Lucie
context: Lucie and Darnay are talking after dinner when Darnay belittles Carton
importance: Lucie sees the soft side of Carton
For the love of Heaven, of justice, of generosity, of the honor of your noble name, I supplicate you, Monsieur heretofore the Marquis, to succor and release me.
speaker: Gabelle's letter
context: Gabelle is writing Darnay from prison
importance: this letter causes Darnay to go to France, and it causes him to get arrested twice
'i will do,' --- doggedly rejoined, 'nothing for you. My duty is to my country and the People. I am the sworn servant of both, against you. I will do nothing for you.'
speaker: Defarge
context: Darnay is asking Defarge to tell Mr. Lorry that he is in prison
importance: foreshadows that Defarge won't help Darnay or his family
Dearest - Take courage. I am well, and you father has influence around me. You cannot answer this. Kiss our child for me.
speaker: Charles
context: Charles gave a letter to Defarge to give to Lucie
importance: it is short
I am not thanklesss, I hope, but that dreadful woman seems to throw a shadow on me and all my hopes.
speaker: Lucie
context: Mme. Defarge, the vengeance, miss Pross, and Lucie are all in a carriage together
importance: Lucie is afraid of Mme. Defarge, and this foreshadows that Mme. Defarge will try to kill her family
'You must not be weak my darling' he remonstrated; 'don't tremble so. I have saved him.'
speaker: Dr. Manette
context: Darnay has just been acquitted
importance: Dr. Manette will do anything to keep Lucie happy
... he is denounced - and gravely - by the Citizen and Citizeness Defarge. And by one other... Do YOU ask Citizen Doctor?
speaker: guard who comes to get Darnay
context: Darnay has just gotten released fro prison, and now he is being taken back again
importance: clue that the third person is Dr. Manette
So YOU put him in his coffin? Who took him out of it?
speaker: Jerry
context: Mr. Lorry, Barsad, and Jerry Cruncher are talking
importance: Jerry's old night job finally plays into the story
But, now I believe that the mark of the red cross is fatal to them, and that they have no part in His mercies. And them and their descendants, to the last of their race, I, unhappy prisoner, do this last night of the year 1767, in my unbearable agony, de
speaker: Dr. Manette in his letter
context: the letter is being read during Darnay's trial
importance: Dr. Manette is indirectly testifying against Darnay
Then tell wind and fire where to stop... but don't tell me.
speaker: mme. Defarge
context: she is speaking to Defarge in their wine-shop
importance: the revolutionaries' killing is uncontrollable
... it is good until recalled. But it amy be soon recalled, and I have reason to think, will be.
speaker: Carton
context: he has just found the papers that will allow them to leave France
importance: Carton isn't totally trusting in his plan
by the help of heaven you shall! promise me solely that nothing will influence you to alter the course on which we now stand pledged to one another.
speaker: Carton
context: Carton and Lorry are talking about their plans for the Manettes
importance: Carton's plan to save the Manettes is in place
It is madness. It cannot be accomplished, it can never be done, it has been attempted, and has always failed. I implore you not to add your death to the bitterness of mine.
speaker: darnay
context: he is talking to Carton in his prison cell
importance: Darnay did try to get Carton out of trouble
Are you dying for him?... Oh, you will let me hold your brave hand, stranger?
speaker: seamstress
context: her and Carton are waiting in line for the guillotine
My husband, fellow-citizen, is a good Republican and a bold man; he had deserved well of the Republic, and possesses its confidence. But my husband has his weaknesses, and he is so weak as to relent towards this Doctor.
speaker: mme. Defarge
context: speaking to the vengeance and Jaques 3
importance: mme. Defarge hates the evremondes because of her past
you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman!
speaker: miss Pross
context: mme. Defarge and miss Pross are arguing
importance: she is showing her strength and loyalty to the Manettes
But for you, dear stranger, I should not be so composed, for I am naturally a poor little thing, faint of heart, nor should I have been able to raise my thoughts to Him who was put to death, that we might have hope and comfort here to-day. I think you we
speaker: seamstress
context: she and Carton are speaking, and she is next in line for the guillotine
importance: the seamstress is the only person to realize that what Carton is doing is great
Bad Fortune!" "and here are the tumbrils! And Evremonde will be despatched in a wink, and she not here! See her knitting in my hand, and her empty chair ready for her. I cry with vexation and disappointment!
speaker: the vengeance
context: she is looking for mme. Defarge
importance: dramatic irony; the vengeance doesn't know that mme. Defarge is actually dead