A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Summary Three more years have passed, and the French Revolution has succeeded in removing the royalty and aristocracy from power. France is still unsettled, however, and many members of the French upper classes who have fled to England use Tellson’s as an information hub. One afternoon at Tellson’s, Darnay and […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 24 – Drawn to the Loadstone Rock

Summary One July day, a stranger approaches the road-mender and asks for directions to the Evremonde chateau. That night, four figures set fire to the chateau and the villagers watch it burn, making no effort to put it out despite the pleas of servants from the chateau. Excited by the […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 23 – Fire Rises

Summary A week after the fall of the Bastille, the revolutionaries learn that Foulon, a hated official who they thought was dead, is alive and has been captured. Apparently Foulon, who had said that starving people could eat grass, faked his death in order to escape the revolutionaries. Upon learning […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 22 – The Sea Still Rises

Summary Eight years have passed, and the year is 1789. Darnay continues to prosper, and he and Lucie have had two children — a daughter named Lucie and a son who lived several years before he died. Both children have been especially fond of Carton, who visits a few times […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 21 – Echoing Footsteps

Summary Soon after Lucie and Darnay return from their honeymoon, Carton visits them. He takes Darnay aside and, in an unusually sincere tone, asks for Darnay’s friendship and apologizes for his rudeness after the trial. Darnay is casual about the apology, but assures Carton that he has forgotten any past […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 20 – A Plea

Summary On the tenth morning, Doctor Alexandre Manette awakens fully recovered and unaware that anything unusual has transpired. Mr. Lorry tactfully conveys to the Doctor what has happened and asks what caused the relapse and how it can be prevented. The Doctor explains that he expected the relapse, which was […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 19 – An Opinion

Summary On the morning of Lucie and Darnay’s wedding, Doctor Alexandre Manette and Darnay engage in a private discussion. Afterwards, the Doctor is very pale but composed. Lucie and Darnay are married and depart on a two-week honeymoon. Mr. Lorry and Miss Pross escort a subdued Doctor Manette home. Observing […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 18 – Nine Days

Summary The night before Lucie’s wedding, she and her father sit outside and discuss her upcoming marriage. Lucie tells her father how happy she is and assures him that her love for Darnay will not interfere with their relationship. Doctor Alexandre Manette responds by telling her that marriage is a […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 17 – One Night

Summary As the road-mender departs for home and the Defarges return to Saint Antoine, a policeman who is a member of the Jacquerie informs Defarge to be alert for a new spy in the area, John Barsad. When they reach the wine-shop, the Defarges discuss the progress of the revolutionary […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 16 – Still Knitting

Summary The mender of roads who spotted the man under the Marquis St. Evremonde’s carriage accompanies Defarge to the wine-shop. In the garret where Doctor Alexandre Manette stayed, Defarge and Jacques One, Two, and Three listen to the road-mender describe what happened to Gaspard, the man who killed the Marquis. […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 15 – Knitting