In the reading this week, Madame Defarge is knitting shrouds with names on them. As the Defarges return to Saint Antoine, the mender of the roads informs them of a spy named John Basard. After receiving the description of his figure, madame says, "He shall be registered tomorrow." This clearly isn't a good situation for Basard, because once you get registered with madame, you're as good as gone. Once your name is on that list, they will search until they find you.
Why does Basard refer to Mr. Defarge as Jacques? Since he is a spy, he must be trying to get some information out of him in any way possible, but this seemed a bit strange. What is the purpose of Basard calling him Jacques when he knows he isn't? We also learn why madame knits so much. She believes that knitting "feeds" her and if she stops, she will become famished.
In chapter 17, Lucie and Dr. Manette are sitting under a tree, enjoying the evening, discussing the marriage. For once (it seems like), Dr. Manette is happy, and looking forward to Lucie's wedding. Later in the evening, Lucie checks on Dr. Manette while he is sleeping, and actually finds him sleeping rather than making shoes! It is like he has finally found comfort with himself.
But, he doesn't stay this way for long. After the wedding, he continues to make his shoes, like it is the only thing he remembers how to do!! It is obvious that he is unsure how to function without Lucie. And after only 10 short days after the wedding, he has completely forgotten his relapse. Mr. Lorry talks to him about his "friend" who suprisingly has the exact same problems as Dr. Manette! Shocker! Anyway, Dr. Manette thinks it would be wisest to destroy the problem. So when he goes off to visit Lucie, Mr. Lorry and Mrs. Pross destroy his table and equipment.
About the only thing I understood about Chapter 21 is that Lucie has a daughter. Later on, there is a war going on. What does Defarge do in Tower Five (or whatever tower it was)? What do the footsteps mean?
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2 comments:
I don't think that Dr. Manette was exactly happy, but he was at peace of mind. He thought that his daughter was going to marry a nice gentleman, but at the same time, I don't think that any man wants to let go of their little girl and walk them down the aisle.
The reason that Dr. Manette began his shoe making after the wedding was because he found out somethings about Darnay that he didn't want to know. He found out what his real last name is and that he is going to become the new Marqui. He seems rather disturbed by all of this to begin his shoe making again.
I don't understand how Dr. Manette just forgot his relapse. It was like it never happened, to him anyways.
The footsteps foreshadow the French Revolution and the revolt that will occur. In 105 North Tower, Defarge discovers something that Dr. Manette had buried there when he was in prison. This is the place where he was imprisoned.
I like how you said if he is registared with madame he is as good as gone. Funny thing is is that it is true. It seems as if Dr. Manette is happy but I wonder if he is just putting on a good face for his daughter.
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