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A Tale of Two Cities, Facts

A Tale of Two Cities

  1. The novel was written by Charles Dickens.
  2. It was first published in 1859.
  3. It is set in London and Paris.
  4. The time period is before and during the French Revolution.
  5. The famous opening line is “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
  6. The novel has three books (sections).
  7. Book I is called Recalled to Life.
  8. Book II is called The Golden Thread.
  9. Book III is called The Track of a Storm.
  10. The story begins in 1775.
  11. Jarvis Lorry is a banker working at Tellson’s Bank.
  12. He travels between London and Paris for business.
  13. Lorry’s first journey is from London to Dover.
  14. He meets Lucie Manette on this journey.
  15. Lorry delivers the message “Recalled to Life.”
  16. The phrase means Dr. Manette has been released from prison.
  17. Dr. Manette was imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years.
  18. He was unjustly accused by the Evrémonde brothers.
  19. He spends his time in prison making shoes.
  20. After release, he is weak in mind and spirit.
  21. Lucie Manette is Dr. Manette’s daughter.
  22. She was raised in England.
  23. She thought her father was dead.
  24. She travels to Paris to meet him.
  25. Lucie is gentle, loving, and compassionate.
  26. She becomes a central figure for many characters.
  27. Dr. Manette lives in a garret above Defarge’s wine shop after release.
  28. Ernest Defarge was Dr. Manette’s servant.
  29. Madame Defarge is Ernest Defarge’s wife.
  30. Madame Defarge is a central figure in the revolution.
  31. Madame Defarge is always knitting.
  32. She knits a registry of people marked for death.
  33. The spilling of wine in Saint Antoine foreshadows bloodshed.
  34. The wine is spilled outside Defarge’s shop.
  35. The poor people drink the spilled wine from the ground.
  36. The scene represents hunger and poverty.
  37. Charles Darnay is introduced as a young Frenchman.
  38. He renounces his aristocratic title.
  39. He is related to the Evrémonde family.
  40. His real name is Charles Evrémonde.
  41. Darnay emigrates to England.
  42. He becomes a tutor.
  43. He loves Lucie Manette.
  44. He later marries Lucie.
  45. Sydney Carton is a lawyer in London.
  46. Carton works with Mr. Stryver.
  47. Carton is careless but clever.
  48. He looks very similar to Charles Darnay.
  49. Carton saves Darnay from death in an early trial.
  50. The trial takes place at the Old Bailey.
  51. Darnay is accused of treason against England.
  52. Witnesses claim he passed secret information to France.
  53. Carton points out the resemblance between him and Darnay.
  54. This creates doubt and Darnay is freed.
  55. Miss Pross is Lucie’s devoted servant.
  56. She loves Lucie like a daughter.
  57. Jerry Cruncher works for Tellson’s Bank.
  58. He is also a “resurrection man” (grave-robber).
  59. His wife prays secretly, which angers him.
  60. Jerry Cruncher’s son is called “Young Jerry.”
  61. Mr. Stryver wants to marry Lucie but is rejected.
  62. Carton admits his love to Lucie but knows she cannot love him.
  63. He says she has made him want to live a better life.
  64. He promises to sacrifice for her or anyone she loves.
  65. Lucie and Darnay marry.
  66. Dr. Manette suffers a relapse after the wedding.
  67. He returns to making shoes in a disturbed state.
  68. This lasts for nine days.
  69. Lorry and Miss Pross help him recover.
  70. Darnay tells Dr. Manette his true family name before the wedding.
  71. Dr. Manette is shocked but accepts him.
  72. The French Revolution begins in 1789.
  73. The Bastille is stormed by revolutionaries.
  74. Defarge participates in the storming.
  75. Madame Defarge is fierce in the uprising.
  76. Foulon, a hated aristocrat, is killed by the mob.
  77. He is hanged with grass stuffed in his mouth.
  78. The Evrémonde estate is burned by peasants.
  79. Gabelle, the Evrémonde steward, is imprisoned.
  80. He writes to Darnay for help.
  81. Darnay returns to France to rescue Gabelle.
  82. He is arrested as an emigrant aristocrat.
  83. Dr. Manette, Lucie, and Lorry go to Paris to save him.
  84. Dr. Manette gains influence as a former Bastille prisoner.
  85. He tries to use this power to help Darnay.
  86. Darnay is tried and released once due to Dr. Manette’s support.
  87. Later, he is arrested again.
  88. This time, he is denounced by the Defarges.
  89. Madame Defarge adds her personal hatred.
  90. Dr. Manette’s old letter is found in the Bastille.
  91. The letter accuses the Evrémonde brothers of cruelty.
  92. It describes the death of a peasant girl and her family.
  93. The Evrémonde brothers are responsible for the crime.
  94. Darnay is condemned to die because he is their nephew.
  95. Carton returns to Paris secretly.
  96. He uses his resemblance to Darnay to plan a sacrifice.
  97. Carton drugs Darnay and exchanges clothes with him.
  98. Carton takes Darnay’s place in prison.
  99. Carton is executed at the guillotine.
  100. His last words: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done…”