There has been a change in many characters, a show of strength and weakness. I was glad to read about Mr. Cruncher’s change and how he said that he’d no longer grave-rob or stop his wife from praying. Though he doesn’t seem like he’s the best with words, he explained to Miss Pross how he wished his wife was praying at that time. (I was also glad that he and Miss Pross made it out alright, besides her hearing.)
When I first read the chapter title “The Knitting Done,” I figured (and secretly hoped) that it meant that Madame Defarge would die, hence, her knitting would be no more. She was becoming so cruel that I think she would probably denounce her husband next after Darnay’s family. When the chapter started talking about Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher, I also figured that Miss Pross would be the one matched up to take down of the woman who was fit to be “the wife of Lucifer,” as Pross put it. Actually, earlier in the novel, when Miss Pross confronted Madame Defarge I figured she was bound to get in a fight with Defarge then and there.
I looked up the meaning of Madame Defarge’s first name, Therese, which means “one who reaps.” I’m surprised I didn’t look it up before, because it kind of suits her as she gathers people together to harvest heads basically.
The seamstress talks with Carton before they are to be killed, she says, “But for you, dear stranger, I should not be so composed…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 were sent to me by Heaven.” This again reflects Christ’s sacrifice for mankind and how Carton is doing the same.
Some part of my mind knew that Carton and the seamstress would kiss after the way Dickens described their body language—though their kiss may not be meant in a romantic sort of way. Perhaps it was symbolic for sealing their fate or something? I’m not really sure because I wasn’t thinking about that sort of symbolism at the time.
Carton was more at peace when he died than when he lived, and his legacy shall live on, while the oppressors will die by the monster (the guillotine) which they so love to watch as it kills others. Lucie will have a child named after Sydney, and he will grow up and have a child and will show his child of the place where Carton died and what he did for the Darnay family. The Doctor will be revived, Lucie and Charles will have a greater respect in their hearts for Carton than for each other, and Mr. Lorry will live for ten more years and die peacefully, going to receive his reward (or go to heaven)….at least this is what the people believed was in Carton’s mind.
Carton’s life had more meaning as he stepped up to the guillotine than any other time. That same verse that he was repeating before, he repeated again and was killed. Carton was a round character. He started as a drunken man who hated himself and took in the harsh words from Stryver to heart. But as the story progressed, we could see the more sincere side of him, the less apathetic side, and towards the end, we saw him gain a sense of strength, pride, and love. Sydney died a man with the hope of Heaven. It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you finish, and “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A Tale of Two Cities: pg. 297-335
I. WANT. THIS. BOOK.
The way Dickens writes is so real to me and I can envision the story within my head (much like a movie or much like I was there myself). I can almost hear the roar of the people and see the horror that must be patent on the Doctor’s face as Darnay is convicted.
In the beginning of this section, I found it interesting how everything ties together in this book. The Doctor had even seen Charles as a little child when he was with his mother. I wonder, though, if there was any significance to the sister of the seventeen year old who was killed. I’m not sure if there is, but maybe we’ll find out because it mentioned her more than once. [One quick hunch: maybe it's Madame Defarge, because the peasant boy said that he sent his sister far away and wasn't Madame from some far shores or something? Didn't it talk of her walking on the beach?]
I’d also like to mention the swords of the peasant boy and the Marquis brother. Dickens states in the Doctor's letter that "'My glance had fallen but a few moments before, on the fragments of a broken sword, lying among the hay. That weapon was a gentleman's. In another place, lay an old sword that seemed to have been a soldier's.'" The unbroken sword must have belonged to the peasant boy because he was still human and strong-willed to the end. The singular time I can remember the elder Marquis brother as being slightly human was when he looked curiously at the strength "in these common bodies," wherein, the Doctor's reply began the Marquis's suspicion of him and sealed his fate as being captured and taken to the Bastille. [But why did the Marquis brothers get Manette in the first place if they didn't care about the brother and sister?]
Madame Defarge is becoming more and more cruel as she loses her humanity in her thirst for blood and revenge. She has become blind to the reason they started this Revolution, which seemed to be to stop the heartless treatment of the people, because now she is the bestial one who is causing most of this maliciousness. In a way, I’m almost eager to see how she reacts when she has a hard time finding the dear Doctor’s family. At least her husband still seems to have a conscience, as we find that he doesn't want to go on with the violence towards the Evremonde's family. I suppose the reason for his not wanting to harm the Doctor was because he was once a servant in his household. What I want to know, is how he became the one to make Manette make shoes, because didn't the book say something about that somewhere?
Well, the book isn’t quite finished yet, but Carton gets my vote for best character. I absolutely love Carton. The scene that enticed me the most (one of many) was when Carton was being prepared to face the Guillotine and encountered that girl with the “patient” eyes. The language and the description of their movements was touching. The part I most remember is probably those few paragraphs where Dickens wrote:
"As the patient eyes were lifted to his face, he saw a sudden doubt in them, and then astonishment. He pressed the work-worn, hunger-worn young fingers, and touched his lips.
'Are you dying for him?' she whispered.
'And his wife and child. Hush! Yes.'
'O you will let me hold your brave hand, stranger?'
'Hush! Yes, my poor sister; to the last.'"
I was reminded of how Carton is a Christ figure when she asked, "You are dying for him?" as he prepares to lay down his life for Darnay and his family. I just want to give props to A-jac for remembering that Darnay and Carton look similar way back from the trial and for predicting how Carton would save Darnay. I figured some sort of switch would occur, but I'd forgotten how similar they looked (which Dickens reminds us of when Carton is in the wine shop and Madame Defarge takes second glances at him). But, yes, A-jac got it to a T.
One thing that I’m sure Darnay will look back upon in guilt is that he “never once thought of Carton.” He couldn’t remember this brave man who took his place in death. This also somewhat reflects how Sydney is a Christ figure (in a sense) because we don’t always remember Jesus and how He willingly gave His life for ours. Humans can sometimes feel a similar guilt when they realize all He’s done and how little we seem to look back and remember. (Although, Darnay didn’t realize that Carton was going to do such a thing, I would still feel guilty later about not even thinking of a person who cared enough for me and my family to die in my place.)
I guess the question got answered about the chemicals Carton purchased because he used their fumes to knock out Darnay. (I could almost hear that certain movie music as Carton restrained Darnay and made the switch, as Dickens writes so visually.) But one of the most saddening parts was when Darnay was beginning to come to again in the carriage and was speaking Carton’s name, still asking him what was in his hand, while Carton was probably already dead in his place.
Well, now that this is getting extremely long, I just have one more question: What about Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher? When it mentioned the carriage leaving Parris, the book didn’t state them as being in there. What has become of them? Has Miss Pross stayed behind for her brother? Maybe the next few chapters will clear this up…
The way Dickens writes is so real to me and I can envision the story within my head (much like a movie or much like I was there myself). I can almost hear the roar of the people and see the horror that must be patent on the Doctor’s face as Darnay is convicted.
In the beginning of this section, I found it interesting how everything ties together in this book. The Doctor had even seen Charles as a little child when he was with his mother. I wonder, though, if there was any significance to the sister of the seventeen year old who was killed. I’m not sure if there is, but maybe we’ll find out because it mentioned her more than once. [One quick hunch: maybe it's Madame Defarge, because the peasant boy said that he sent his sister far away and wasn't Madame from some far shores or something? Didn't it talk of her walking on the beach?]
I’d also like to mention the swords of the peasant boy and the Marquis brother. Dickens states in the Doctor's letter that "'My glance had fallen but a few moments before, on the fragments of a broken sword, lying among the hay. That weapon was a gentleman's. In another place, lay an old sword that seemed to have been a soldier's.'" The unbroken sword must have belonged to the peasant boy because he was still human and strong-willed to the end. The singular time I can remember the elder Marquis brother as being slightly human was when he looked curiously at the strength "in these common bodies," wherein, the Doctor's reply began the Marquis's suspicion of him and sealed his fate as being captured and taken to the Bastille. [But why did the Marquis brothers get Manette in the first place if they didn't care about the brother and sister?]
Madame Defarge is becoming more and more cruel as she loses her humanity in her thirst for blood and revenge. She has become blind to the reason they started this Revolution, which seemed to be to stop the heartless treatment of the people, because now she is the bestial one who is causing most of this maliciousness. In a way, I’m almost eager to see how she reacts when she has a hard time finding the dear Doctor’s family. At least her husband still seems to have a conscience, as we find that he doesn't want to go on with the violence towards the Evremonde's family. I suppose the reason for his not wanting to harm the Doctor was because he was once a servant in his household. What I want to know, is how he became the one to make Manette make shoes, because didn't the book say something about that somewhere?
Well, the book isn’t quite finished yet, but Carton gets my vote for best character. I absolutely love Carton. The scene that enticed me the most (one of many) was when Carton was being prepared to face the Guillotine and encountered that girl with the “patient” eyes. The language and the description of their movements was touching. The part I most remember is probably those few paragraphs where Dickens wrote:
"As the patient eyes were lifted to his face, he saw a sudden doubt in them, and then astonishment. He pressed the work-worn, hunger-worn young fingers, and touched his lips.
'Are you dying for him?' she whispered.
'And his wife and child. Hush! Yes.'
'O you will let me hold your brave hand, stranger?'
'Hush! Yes, my poor sister; to the last.'"
I was reminded of how Carton is a Christ figure when she asked, "You are dying for him?" as he prepares to lay down his life for Darnay and his family. I just want to give props to A-jac for remembering that Darnay and Carton look similar way back from the trial and for predicting how Carton would save Darnay. I figured some sort of switch would occur, but I'd forgotten how similar they looked (which Dickens reminds us of when Carton is in the wine shop and Madame Defarge takes second glances at him). But, yes, A-jac got it to a T.
One thing that I’m sure Darnay will look back upon in guilt is that he “never once thought of Carton.” He couldn’t remember this brave man who took his place in death. This also somewhat reflects how Sydney is a Christ figure (in a sense) because we don’t always remember Jesus and how He willingly gave His life for ours. Humans can sometimes feel a similar guilt when they realize all He’s done and how little we seem to look back and remember. (Although, Darnay didn’t realize that Carton was going to do such a thing, I would still feel guilty later about not even thinking of a person who cared enough for me and my family to die in my place.)
I guess the question got answered about the chemicals Carton purchased because he used their fumes to knock out Darnay. (I could almost hear that certain movie music as Carton restrained Darnay and made the switch, as Dickens writes so visually.) But one of the most saddening parts was when Darnay was beginning to come to again in the carriage and was speaking Carton’s name, still asking him what was in his hand, while Carton was probably already dead in his place.
Well, now that this is getting extremely long, I just have one more question: What about Miss Pross and Mr. Cruncher? When it mentioned the carriage leaving Parris, the book didn’t state them as being in there. What has become of them? Has Miss Pross stayed behind for her brother? Maybe the next few chapters will clear this up…
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A Tale of Two Cities: pg. 246-297
I am beginning to love Sydney Carton and I believe that A-Jac could possibly be right about how he saves Darnay. I was thinking that he might take his place somehow before this, but I forgot how he somewhat resembles Darnay (although, I believe that in the court hearing, they were talking about it being dark). I'm sure that Carton is going to take Darnay's place and die for him, but I'm not sure how yet. Perhaps he will claim to be the real Marquis and that Darnay was covering for him? Just a wild and out there guess, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
Carton seemed to be contemplating his death the night before Darnay's second hearing as he looked at the sky and thought of that Bible verse. I think that he had some comfort in remembering it as he looked at the quiet scenery and the, shall I say "confident", waters. I found it somewhat interesting how the night was thought of as tranquil and peaceful, while the day seemed to fade that peace away as the stars and moon disappeared, because most times in literature, the night is ominous while the day brings a new light. I thought that the light gave Carton a sort of strength, though, and he seemed stronger that morning as the light shone on him, he drank only coffee (and not alcohol), and he was reassured by Lucie's loving expression towards her husband.
I had forgotten about that piece of paper from the Doctor's old cell. I'm anxious to know what it reads, but I'm worried about the position it shall put Darnay in because the people will most likely side against him now, as they are so easily swayed (especially by Mannette's words).
Some parts of this story are beginning to echo 1984 (as a lot of subjects seem to do now that that book has been carved into my brain). People are beginning to be loyal to the Republic and "denounce" each other to it, similar to the Party members in 1984 which would denounce their friends, wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, and whoever they should be siding with to the Thought Police. The people of France seem to be brainwashed and crazed by this Revolution. Before, they cared about the loyalty to each other that they must have and the anarchy against the government, but now, they don't seem so loyal to their peers, but to the Republic, which seems to me like a form of government as they willingly chop of the peoples' heads.
By the way, I was with Carton when the book said that he had to turn away so he didn't strike down the wood-sawyer as he applauded the Guillotine. I'm anxious to see what happens next with Carton. Even though he's not really the main character of the story, as it seems because he's not mentioned as much as others, he's my favorite so far.
Carton seemed to be contemplating his death the night before Darnay's second hearing as he looked at the sky and thought of that Bible verse. I think that he had some comfort in remembering it as he looked at the quiet scenery and the, shall I say "confident", waters. I found it somewhat interesting how the night was thought of as tranquil and peaceful, while the day seemed to fade that peace away as the stars and moon disappeared, because most times in literature, the night is ominous while the day brings a new light. I thought that the light gave Carton a sort of strength, though, and he seemed stronger that morning as the light shone on him, he drank only coffee (and not alcohol), and he was reassured by Lucie's loving expression towards her husband.
I had forgotten about that piece of paper from the Doctor's old cell. I'm anxious to know what it reads, but I'm worried about the position it shall put Darnay in because the people will most likely side against him now, as they are so easily swayed (especially by Mannette's words).
Some parts of this story are beginning to echo 1984 (as a lot of subjects seem to do now that that book has been carved into my brain). People are beginning to be loyal to the Republic and "denounce" each other to it, similar to the Party members in 1984 which would denounce their friends, wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, and whoever they should be siding with to the Thought Police. The people of France seem to be brainwashed and crazed by this Revolution. Before, they cared about the loyalty to each other that they must have and the anarchy against the government, but now, they don't seem so loyal to their peers, but to the Republic, which seems to me like a form of government as they willingly chop of the peoples' heads.
By the way, I was with Carton when the book said that he had to turn away so he didn't strike down the wood-sawyer as he applauded the Guillotine. I'm anxious to see what happens next with Carton. Even though he's not really the main character of the story, as it seems because he's not mentioned as much as others, he's my favorite so far.
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