A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

ignorance, and want,

The twins revealed by Christmas Yet to Come in Dickens’ Christmas Carol

"Do you particularly like the man?" he muttered, at his own image; "why should you particularly like a man who resembles you? There is nothing in you to like; you know that. Ah, confound you! What a change you have made in yourself! A good reason for taking to a man, that he shows you what you have fallen away from, and what you might have been! Change places with him, and would you have been looked at by those blue eyes as he was, and commiserated by that agitated face as he was? Come on, and have it out in plain words! You hate the fellow."

Mr. Darnay,

When did Darnay arrive at this Sunday evening visit?

Jerry,

… and, like Darnay, Jerry suddenly appears in the house with the dinner party without explanation. Is this an edited edition?

"to bring the dead out of their graves."

Resurrection theme

Perhaps, see the great crowd of people with its rush and roar, bearing down upon them, too.

Mob theme

and

In the hour of my death, I shall hold sacred the one good remembrance—and shall thank and bless you for it—that my last avowal of myself was made to you, and that my name, and faults, and miseries were gently carried in your heart.

I would embrace any sacrifice for you

Foreshadowing

there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!"

Foreshadowing

this was the usual progress of a mob.

Mob theme

The devoutest person could have rendered no greater homage to the efficacy of an honest prayer than he did in this distrust of his wife.

Irony

"Jacques," said Defarge; "judiciously show a cat milk, if you wish her to thirst for it. Judiciously show a dog his natural prey, if you wish him to bring it down one day."

"Bravo!" said Defarge, clapping him on the back when it was over, like a patron; "you are a good boy!"

This sounds very much like asking “Who’s a good boy?” to one’s faithful canine companion.

"It does not take a long time to strike a man with Lightning," said Defarge. "How long," demanded madame, composedly, "does it take to make and store the lightning? Tell me." Defarge raised his head thoughtfully, as if there were something in that too. "It does not take a long time," said madame, "for an earthquake to swallow a town. Eh well! Tell me how long it takes to prepare the earthquake?" "A long time, I suppose," said Defarge. "But when it is ready, it takes place, and grinds to pieces everything before it. In the meantime, it is always preparing, though it is not seen or heard. That is your consolation. Keep it."

Obsession

"Well! At any rate you know me as a dissolute dog, who has never done any good, and never will." "I don't know that you 'never will.'"

But, I am sure that he is capable of good things, gentle things, even magnanimous things."

Foreshadowing

Now, Heaven defeat the fancy of Lucie Darnay, and keep these feet far out of her life! For, they are headlong, mad, and dangerous; and in the years so long after the breaking of the cask at Defarge's wine-shop door, they are not easily purified when once stained red.

Blood and wine

he could not have felt his freedom more completely gone.

"For the love of Liberty;" which sounded in that place like an inappropriate conclusion.

Irony

I knew I could help Charles out of all danger;

he had no right to imperil Tellson's by sheltering the wife of an emigrant prisoner under the Bank roof.

Obsession, blind loyalty

struck away all security for liberty or life,

Models of it were worn on breasts from which the Cross was discarded, and it was bowed down to and believed in where the Cross was denied.

"If you could say, with truth, to your own solitary heart, to-night, 'I have secured to myself the love and attachment, the gratitude or respect, of no human creature; I have won myself a tender place in no regard; I have done nothing good or serviceable to be remembered by!' your seventy-eight years would be seventy-eight heavy curses; would they not?"

Legacy of a life lived in service

We shall meet again, where the weary are at rest!"

"I can bear it, dear Charles. I am supported from above: don't suffer for me. A parting blessing for our child."

God will raise up friends for her, as He did for me."

I think you will do something to help mamma, something to save papa!

Foreshadowing

"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop," returned madame; "but don't tell me."

Obsession

"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."

Redemption

My husband, fellow-citizen, is a good Republican and a bold man; he has 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."

Obsession

I only hope with all my heart as Mrs. Cruncher may be a flopping at the present time."

Redemption

the new oppressors who have risen on the destruction of the old,

Irony

"I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of their descendants, generations hence. I see her, an old woman, weeping for me on the anniversary of this day. I see her and her husband, their course done, lying side by side in their last earthly bed, and I know that each was not more honoured and held sacred in the other's soul, than I was in the souls of both.

Legacy of a life lived in service