[F2F Book Discussions] July 2014: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens | Moderators: Ycel & DC

[Ycel]

MONIQUE:
Si Harry Potter ang naalala ko when I think about Charles Darnay’s Messiah complex. Voldemort uses his need to be a hero as a way to lure Potter to him: “He will hate watching the others struck down around him, knowing that it is for him that it happens. He will come.” (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)

If I remember it right (view spoiler)[this is is how it was interpreted in some movie adaptations (hide spoiler)].

[Angus]

Day 8 Questions
(view spoiler)[
1. I think he is presenting both sides equally. Each side's darker side is displayed to the reader.
2. I was like, huh? Super close kayo ng servant? It would have been more believable if the reason for going back is an imprisoned loved one. But then again, Darnay could have been very fond of Gabelle (he's the servant, right?). I just wish their relationship was developed.
(hide spoiler)]

Day 9 Questions:
(view spoiler)[
1. Uhm, it didn't change my perception because I really think something happened between him and the Marquis. I was expecting this kind of revelation, so I was prepared.

2. I don't know about everyone, but I kind of understand why Madame Defarge is like that. However, I didn't realize that her wrath and hatred was is super real until The Big Reveal came. I thought her rage was all about patriotism and poverty.
(hide spoiler)]

Okay, I was reading Chapter 12 of Book 3 last night and I realize that (view spoiler)[this could be a super spoiler (view spoiler)[ Carton might take Darnay's place at La Guillotine (they look alike, don't they?) and, in the process, give up his life for Lucie? I was groaning all night, rather all morning, about this possibility. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Gwaxa]

Sorry, life (read:work) got in the way. I'm in Book 3 Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ OMG Doctor Manette! T_T (hide spoiler)].

Day 6 Question

(view spoiler)[I think it was because whatever he and Charles talked about before the wedding triggered his memory of his imprisonment in the Bastille.
(hide spoiler)]

Day 7 Activity

(view spoiler)[
Errm, maybe I will be "The Mischievous". Haha. (hide spoiler)]

Day 8 Questions

(view spoiler)[
1. I'd say equally. The peasants' viewpoint was represented by the storming of the Bastille and the start of the revolution while the nobility's viewpoint was shown by Darnay's opinion on their suffering in the prisons.

2. Believable? Yes. Stupid? Absolutely. Darnay has been characterized as the "good guy", as compared to Sydney "the bad boy" Carton. And the good guys has always been known to do what they think was right no matter how dangerous it was. Case in point, Harry Potter, like many of you has mentioned. Ehe. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Tin]

Day 10 Questions(view spoiler)[

1.SIMILARITY: Aside from both being orphaned as a result of the cruelty of the Evremonde family, Lucie and Therese came to be women who are the source of inspiration of those around them. A source of strength and an object of adoration for the men (and women), if you will. Lucie is that way to Dr. Manette, Lorry, Stryver, Carton, Darnay, Miss Pross, and probably half of the population in Victorian era Europe. Therese on one hand inspires much of the actions of the Jacques, The Vengeance, and the Revolutionaries.

DIFFERENCE: They however differ as to “what” they actually inspire in the aforementioned people. Lucie seems to kindle sugar, spice and everything nice. While Therese incites chemical X, i.e. murderous rage, bloody revenge, etc. in those around her.

VICTORIAN IDEAL? Wait lang. Hehe. Perhaps, it reveals that in the Victorian era, the role of women were secondary to men. Usually they work in the background, but they are quite influential never the less. You know, it’s like the saying, Behind Every Great Man is a Woman.

2. If it’s Fatalism, he would have just let the events unfold because it’s fate. But he did not. He did something about it. So it’s not that, I think.

Ever since Sydney was introduced, he had this despondent air about him. He wallows in so much sadness. But why? He seems to be this way even in his boyhood days with Stryver right? Now that I think about it. Maybe he has hero complex too, like Darnay. There is no purpose for him, unless it’s a grand one. Like his huge sacrifice for Lucie and Charles. Kaya during those last few days of his life, it was always noted that he had this look about him, glowing look or something. So in short, he’s definitely a HERO. As whether it stems from a psychological complex or not, Ah don’t care. Hehehe. Still a hero in my eyes! <3

3. When I read the first chapter I thought, boy, if the book is going to be like this the whole way, I am in trouble. But things started to pick up. And it was just awesome. It’s funny, dark, theatrical, and suspenseful. Loved the history lesson. And how it tackled justice and morality. Probably, my best classic read to date. (hide spoiler)]

Day 10 Activity(view spoiler)[

Eulogy? Love letter nalang. Hahaha. Teka…Okay here goes..

Sydney Carton was a man who no one saw past his drunken episodes, his aimless night wanderings, his purposelessness, his being a background act. No one really understood him (except maybe, ME! Lol!). But beneath those moist towelettes is a brain of a genius. Underneath those slovenly looks is a valiant man, full of love. I don’t think I can do justice to the eulogy of a man such as Sydney Carton. So, I opted to borrow the words of ze great Don Mclean, with a little tweaking. Because like Vincent Van Gogh, nobody understood your greatness. Not until your last breath.

(From the song, Starry, Starry Night, by Don McLean)

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free

They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night

You took your life, as lovers often do
But I could’ve told you SYNDEY
This world was never meant for
One as beautiful as you.

Yiheeeee! (hide spoiler)]

[Ycel]

TIN:
Yiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!! Alaveeet, swak na swak pala ang Vincent! Hihi.

(view spoiler)[Has your heart recovered yet? (hide spoiler)]

[Ycel]

ANGUS:
I can here you groan from here :)

GWAXA:
"The Mischievous"---(view spoiler)[ Bagay! You are mischief personified, like Fred and George rolled into one :P (hide spoiler)]

[Gwaxa]

Ycel: Hahaha. Lots of HP reference. Laveeet.
I was actually thinking of something spy-ish, then I remembered Barsad's fear aaaaaaand.... no! :)

[Angus]

Day 10 Questions
(view spoiler)[
1. Lucie is sugar, spice, and everything nice. Madame Defarge is fire and brimstone. Lucie is merely a supporting act of a forgettable family band. Madame Defarge is The Diva of a grand revolution. Lucie has the qualities of the typical Victorian woman: beautiful, polite, refined, restrained. Madame Defarge has the crass Victorian woman inside her: ordinary-looking, vengeful, testy, dominating. Their differences in behaviors reveal that the Victorian ideals, as far as gender roles are concerned, are either quickly fading or slowly adapting to the changes brought about by their times.

2. What is a hero? Someone who has courageous deeds? Check. Someone who has noble ideals? Check. So, does Sydney possess these two? He faced death, probably the biggest danger of anyone's life, with a pacific temperament. Is this courage? Yes. He faced death in order to save someone (Darnay), which would make someone (Lucie and friends) happy. Is this nobility? In some ways, yes. So yes, he's a hero. Heroes die young anyway, hehe.

3. My appreciation for the novel went up with the last three chapters. It feels a little crammed and abrupt though, but I can't help it. I'm so puyat because the events kept playing inside my head.
(hide spoiler)]

Day 10 Activity
(view spoiler)[
Sydney Carton was an alcoholic with unpredictable mood swings. He was eternally brokenhearted but in the end, it was him who was the real heartbreaker.
(hide spoiler)]

[Tin]

Ycel:(view spoiler)[ I thought my heart recovered already but I just laid it on pretty thick in the eulogy, so it looks like I am having a relapse. Hahaha! (hide spoiler)]

[Ycel]

GWAXA:
*imitating Sydney's cool expression and composure*

“You scarcely seem to like your hand. Do you play?”

ANGUS:
So Dickens kept you up all night? How's your heart? :)

[Monique]

Huling hirit for this brokenhearted reader:

Day 9 Questions
(view spoiler)[
1. The Substance of the Shadow did not change my perception of Dr. Manette. He is still the decent, upright, and loving father I have perceived him to be, and the contents of the letter did not diminish or alter this perception. Yes, I think he is a stronger character now, for I believe that what doesn't break you will ultimately make you stronger. Dr. Manette may have his weak moments - and we cannot blame the man, having gone through so much - but he is resilient and comes back in the end.

2. Oh, that bitch! LOL. I think that I understand her, to a certain level I sympathize with her, and if I were in her place, yes, I would wish to exact vengeance on the people who have wronged me and my family. But to wish and do harm to innocent men for the sins of their forefathers is completely wrong. I was especially indignant at her desire to have Lucie and the little girl sent to the guillotine as well.
(hide spoiler)]

Day 10 Questions
(view spoiler)[
1. Lucie is young, innocent, and sweet. Madame Defarge is a bitch. Can I stop there? Haha. :D

2. Sydney Carton's sacrifice may be foolish for some, but for Charles Darnay's family, and especially to the little girl Lucie, he is, in every way, a hero. I read and reread the last part - his thoughts if he were given a chance to write down what he was thinking just before he was executed - and I couldn't take it. Oh my heart. <\3

3. I am grieving, and I think that the ending of this book is one of the most powerful endings - if not the most powerful one - that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. (hide spoiler)]

Day 10 Activity
(view spoiler)[Sydney Carton died so that others may live. We weep and celebrate his life, and, in his words, hold a sanctuary in our hearts as he passes tranquilly into his rest. (hide spoiler)]

[Ycel]

@attymonique:
Awwww, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}. Team Sydney will have a proper bawling session, don't ya worry.

[Monique]

YCEL: Stock up on the tissues! :(((

[Ycel]

TEAM SYDNEY!

If you guys are done reading and can't stop thinking about our hero, I suggest you check the audiobook and listen to the last chapter. Powerful stuff, Frank Muller's reading.

[Meliza]

Day 10 Questions
(view spoiler)[1. Both Lucie and Madame Defarge unite the people in their lives. But Lucie is the gentle, caring woman while Therese is the violent, vengeful one.

2. Sydney is definitely a hero. His sacrifice represents one of the highest form of heroism.

3. I really love the last chapter of this book. I like the narration of Sydney's journey towards his death. I was really moved by the scenes he imagined of how he will be remembered by Darnay's family. (hide spoiler)]

Day 10 Activity
(view spoiler)[Sydney, we were heartbroken by the short life that you lived. But the memories of your sacrifice will keep you alive in our hearts. You will forever be remembered. (hide spoiler)]

[Gwaxa]

Day 9 Questions

(view spoiler)[
1. It didn't change my perception of him. I've expected that the Marquis and Dr. Manette have some kind of connection since it was revealed that the Marquis was Darnay's uncle. It just seemed logical that the evilness of the Marquis would somehow affect Darnay's future, ergo, the Manettes' too. I just wasn't expecting the vow concerning the Marquis' direct line. That was a game changer.

2. Madame Defarge had always seemed like a peripheral character for me. I thought of her as the secretary (as in pres, vice-pres, sec, haha) of the Saint Antoine chapter of the revolution. So her revelation changed my perception 180 degrees. Suddenly, she's this vengeful woman who will stop at nothing to avenge her family.
But does it justify her behavior? I really couldn't say. The issues are love of family and civil war, and as they say, "All is fair in love and war".
(hide spoiler)]

Day 10 Questions

(view spoiler)[
1. Lucie Manette is the forgive and forget type while Therese Defarge is the hurt-me-and-I-will-kill-you-and-the-last-of-your-blood type, in short, vengeful and scary. O.O
Victorian ideals of women are the strong types, either strong in the face of suffering or strong as a leader of a revolution.

2. Hero, of course. Come on, he sacrificed his life for the sake of his love. He was supposed to be selfish and self absorbed but he made the most selfless act of all. Haaayyy Sydney. :(

3. The classics are not so bad after all, hehe. And that I didn't expect this level of drama and plot twists. I thought Dickens would harp on about idealism and justice and whatnot, but well, shows what I know.
(hide spoiler)]

Day 10 Activity

(view spoiler)[
Sydney Carton may have lived a life of excess but he died for a noble cause. You will not be forgotten Sydney. T_T
(hide spoiler)]

[DC]

Hello everybody!

Thank you very, very much for joining the online discussion for ATO2C. You can be assured that we mods, too, enjoyed your responses and participation in general :)

There's a new discussion up for the month of August, and that's for Erica Jong's Fear of Flying. The thread's already up, and you can check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Once again, thanks, and we'll see you around :)