A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Summary As Jerry Cruncher sits outside Tellson’s Bank, he notices a funeral procession approaching. People yelling “Spies!”surround the hearse and the mourning coach, and Cruncher discovers that the funeral belongs to Roger Cly, one of the spies who testified against Darnay. When the crowd tries to pull the sole mourner […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 14 – The Honest Tradesman

Summary One August afternoon, Carton resolves to reveal his feelings to Lucie. He tells her that although he is a hopeless case and can never reform, she revived his old dreams of leading a good life. Lucie suggests that he may still be able to redeem his life, but Carton […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 13 – The Fellow of No Delicacy

Summary Having decided to wed Lucie, Stryver heads to Soho to let her know of her good fortune. On the way, he drops by Tellson’s Bank to share his marriage plans with Mr. Lorry. Rather than risk making Doctor Alexandre Manette or Lucie uncomfortable by receiving a proposal directly from […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 12 – The Fellow of Delicacy

Summary The same night that Darnay makes his declaration to Doctor Alexandre Manette, Stryver tells Carton that he has decided to marry Lucie. Stryver feels that he is doing Lucie a favor by making her his wife; she is not rich, but she is “a charming creature”who will make a […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 11 – A Companion Picture

Summary A year after the assassination of the Marquis, Darnay has made a life for himself in England as a tutor of French language and literature. He has been in love with Lucie since the trial, and he finally decides to speak to Doctor Manette about his feelings. Darnay tells […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 10 – Two Promises

Summary Once inside the chateau, in his elegant private rooms, the Marquis prepares for supper and awaits his nephew’s arrival. When his nephew — Charles Darnay — arrives, the two exchange brief formalities and then, after the servants have left, Darnay tells his uncle that he is renouncing all ties […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 9 – The Gorgon’s Head

Summary As the Marquis travels from Paris to the Evremonde country estate, he rides through a landscape of sparse and withered crops. When his carriage stops in a village near his home, the Marquis questions a road-mender who claims he saw a man riding under the carriage, but the man […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 8 – Monseigneur in the Country

Summary A reception at the Parisian suite of Monseigneur, a French lord, showcases the excesses and superficiality of the French aristocracy. The Marquis St. Evremonde angrily leaves the reception after being snubbed by the other guests and treated coldly by Monseigneur. As his driver carouses recklessly through the Paris streets, […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 7 – Monseigneur in Town

Summary Four months have passed since the trial, and Mr. Lorry, Charles Darnay, and Sydney Carton have become regular visitors at the Manettes’ home in Soho, where Miss Pross, Lucie’s governess, also lives. While there one Sunday, Mr. Lorry and Miss Pross discuss the numerous suitors for Lucie’s hand and […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 6 – Hundreds of People

Summary After a waiter at the tavern awakens him, Carton walks from the tavern to Stryver’s chambers. The two work on some cases, with Carton doing the brunt of the work. When they finish, Carton and Stryver discuss their school days together and the differences in their fortunes — how […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Book 2: Chapter 5 – The Jackal