ttc booklet

A Tale of Two Cities Cheat Sheet 1

The “A Tale of Two Cities”

Cheat Sheet BookletInfo: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. This book is extremely difficult to read. At times, you might be bored out of your minds. However, with this booklet in your hand, you will make it through and will be rewarded with one of the richest and most beautiful stories ever written.


Book the First, Chapter One:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Dickens is going to be discussing many of the things that are going on in France and England during this time; he uses extremely poetical language, and is purposefully critical of the ‘rules’ of the respective countries who watch and do nothing and unrest fill the nations they supposedly rule.

Difficult Words/Phrases:

a king with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face on the throne of England King George III and Queen Charlotte Sophia.a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face on the throne of France King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.Mrs. Southcott Joanna Southcott (1750-1814), an English religious visionary.Cock-lane ghost a poltergeist phenomenon studied by Horace Walpole, Dr. Johnson, and Oliver Goldsmith. People greatly debated its authenticity."a congress of British subjects in America"In January 1775, the American Continental Congress presented a petition of its grievances to the British Parliament.a certain movable framework that is, the guillotine.highwayman a man, especially one on horseback, who robbed travelers on a highway.stand and deliver a highwayman's order to his victims to stand still and deliver their money and valuables.gaols British spelling of jails.turnkey a person in charge of the keys of a prison; warder; jailer.blunderbusses muskets with a large bore and a broad, flaring muzzle, accurate only at close range.Newgate a London prison notorious for its inhumane conditions.Westminster Hall Westminster Hall, located in London, was the chief law court of England until 1870.

Things to look out for: The best of times… the worst of times? What does this mean? Hey, have you ever seen a quarter?

Book the First, Chapter Two:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Setting a dark and mysterious tone, travelers on their carriage travel during the night (night time = bad time…. Highway men, robbers, darkness). Later, a man named Jerry delivers a mysterious message to Mr. Lorry. Please see the notes below.


the mail "short for "mail coach,"a coach that carried mail and passengers.arm-chest a chest containing weapons.cutlass a short, curving sword, originally used by sailors.jack-boots heavy, sturdy military boots that extend above the knees."The rider's horse was blown"The horse was out of breath.flint and steel Flint is a fine-grained, very hard rock that produces sparks when struck against a piece of steel. Before the invention of matches, people used flint and steel to start fires.


Things to look out for: Hey, it is okay to be confused here… Dickens is purposefully doing this to us. What did you think the ‘message’ means’? Recalled to life? What does this mean?

Book the First, Chapter Three:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Mr. Lorry, with two travelers in his carriage (who we know nothing about), is on his way to complete the task he has received. Throughout this chapter, Mr. Lorry is thinking about what it would be like to be this man he has been sent to ‘recall to life’. What does this mean anyway? What is going on? This man Mr. Lorry is being sent to retrieve has been ‘buried alive for 18 years’ (Not literally).

Difficult Words/Phrases: "Something of the awfulness"Something of the impressiveness. "Awfulness"here means "inspiring awe"rather than "terrible."coach and six a coach drawn by six horses.alehouse a a place where ale is sold and served; tavern.cocked-hat a three-cornered hat with a turned-up brim.

Things to look out for: What do you think about these men in the carriage with him? Remember, the first book is called ‘recalled to life’… this is obviously an important element to the plot. Where has this man been for 18 years? What would it be like to be ‘buried alive for 18 years?’ Remember, he was not buried underground… where could he have been?

Book the First, Chapter Four:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Mr. Lorry is waiting at a hotel; his task has somewhat been completed. He is waiting to talk to a young lady named Lucie Manette. Who is this girl? Do you think she is connected with the man who is been ‘buried alive’?

Difficult Words/Phrases: forenoon morning; the part of the day before noon.

drawer a bartender; tapster.packet a boat that travels a regular route, as along a coast or river, carrying passengers, mail, and freight.Calais a seaport in northern France, on the Strait of Dover; located across the English Channel from Dover.claret a dry, red wine, especially red Bordeaux.linen things made of linen; in this case, shirts.piscatory flavor a fishy flavor.horsehair a stiff fabric made from the hair of the mane or tail of a horse.Channel the English Channel.pier glass a tall mirror set on a pier, or wall section, between two windows.Beauvais a town in France north of Paris.pecuniary of or involving money.compatriot a fellow countryman."the privilege of filling up blank forms"members of the French aristocracy could issue warrants for the indefinite imprisonment of their enemies without a trial.Grenadier wooden measure a tall, cylindrical measuring cup.


smelling salts an aromatic mixture of carbonate of ammonium and some fragrant scent used as an inhalant in relieving faintness, headaches, and the like.

Things to look out for: What happens to Lucie after Mr. Lorry tells her what is going on. Do you think Mr. Lorry is really a machine (without feeling) as he says he is?

Book the First, Chapter Five:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Outside of a wine shop in Paris, France, a crowd gathers to drink wine that has spilled from a cask. As they scoop it up, it stains their hands, faces, and feet. Later, Mr. Lorry and Lucie go inside and meet Monsieur Defarge and Madame Defarge (and these few men, all named Jacques). When they enter a room, there waiting in a chair…….

Difficult Words/Phrases: lee-dyed soaked with the dregs of the wine.

Jacques the use of the name Jacques to signify French peasants began in the peasant revolts in 1358. To maintain anonymity and to show solidarity, rebels called each other by the same name. The network of rebels using the Jacques appellation is referred to as the Jacquerie.Notre-Dame "Our Lady": a famous, early Gothic cathedral in Paris; the full name is Notre-Dame de Paris.the window of dormer shape a window set vertically in a sloping roof.

Things to look out for: What color is the wine? What do you think this wine is symbolic for? Looking at the notes for ‘Jacques’, what do you think about the Defarge couple? Do you think they are just wine sellers? And what is with all the knitting?

Book the First, Chapter Six:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Inside the room, there is a ……. and …. shoes? Wait…. What? Weird. Anyway, think about how Lucie reacts; who/what is this ‘thing’ in the room? Where has he been (think about the first few chapters)? After they have ‘retrieved’ this ‘thing’, Mr. Lorry and crew head back to England.

Difficult Words/Phrases: One hundred and five, North Tower Doctor Manette's designation in the Bastille.

provender food.pallet bed a small bed or pad filled as with straw and used directly on the floorthe box the driver's seat of a coaenjoyed ch.adieu French for "farewell."

Things to look out for: “One hundred and five, North Tower”, “One hundred and five, North Tower”, “One hundred and five, North Tower”….. what is this about? Also, do things seem melodramatic? Remember, readers of this time period enjoyed this kind of behavior.


Book the Second, Chapter One:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Back in England again, five years since Dr. Manette has been ‘recalled’, Mr. Lorry is working at Tellson’s bank, a very successful sort of business… but is very dark, cramped, and old for some reason…. Later, we meet Jerry again, who complains against his wife who keeps ____________. Later, Jerry is called for duty by Tellson’s bank. Jerry’s son notices all the iron rust on his _____________________.

Difficult Words/Phrases: bank note a promissory note issued by a bank, payable to the bearer on demand and which can be

used as money.plate tableware, often made of silver or covered with a layer of silver (plated).Barmecide room a room in which things are an illusion. Barmecide was a prince in the Arabian Nightswho offered a beggar a feast and set an empty plate before him.purloiner a thief.Whitefriars a district of central London between Fleet Street and the Temple area where criminals and fugitive debtors lived.personal board a person's daily meals.choused cheated, swindled.hackney coach a coach for hire, oftentimes a six-seat carriage drawn by two horses.laudanum a solution of opium in alcohol or wine used as a painkiller or sleeping aid, or drunk as an intoxicant.

Things to look out for: What is the deal with this bank? Why do people who work at Tellso’s bank start young and end when they are old? What does the bank do to people who are coiners, thieves, forgers, etc. Oh, and what is with all this iron rust?

Book the Second, Chapter Two:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Jerry, on his way to the Old Bailey (Basically, a court of law…. In Old England…. Sooooo it is quite a mess, but it is a court system). There, a man named Charles Darnay is on trial, and Lucie and her father are there to speak against him.

Difficult Words/Phrases: Old Bailey London's historic main criminal court on Old Bailey Street.

Tyburn public hangings in London took place at gallows called the Tyburn Tree until 1783.pillory a device consisting of a wooden board with holes for the head and hands, in which petty offenders were formerly locked and exposed to public scorn; the stocks.a trap a hinged or sliding door in a roof, ceiling or floor, which lifts or slides to cover an opening.Bedlam the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem, a London insane asylum, where Londoners went to watch the mentally unstable for entertainment.

Things to look out for: What do the people at the trial want to do? What do you think Dickens is saying about the British court system?


Book the Second, Chapter Three:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: During the court scene, the prosecutors (lawyers against the defendant, or ‘guilty party’) say that Darnay is a spy working against the British government…their witnesses are John Barsad and Roger Cly. During these last two characters testimonies, the crowd of the court grows restless and ‘buzz like flies’ (what does that mean anyway?) All of a sudden, and man named Sydney Carton calls attention to the likeness of appearance between himself and Charles Darnay, the defendant. This calls attention to Barsad’s and Cly’s story… later the court deems that Darnay is…..

Difficult Words/Phrases: immolate to offer or kill as a sacrifice.debauched corrupted by drunkenness or sensuality; depraved.

Things to look out for: RESURECTION! What do you think of the ‘blue flies?” Did you notice that Carton noticed Lucie almost fainted? What does that say about his character? Also, during the court, did Carton really seem to care about what was going on?

Book the Second, Chapter Four:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: characters from our story come to _____________ Darnay. During this scene, Carton comes out and asks ____________ to join him for dinner. During this scene, Darnay keeps drinking _____________.

Difficult Words/Phrases: Bastille a state prison in Paris that held many prisoners indefinitely without trial; it was stormed and

destroyed (1789) in the French Revolution: its destruction is commemorated on Bastille Day, July 14.robing room the room where judges and lawyers put on their official robes.the reckoning the bill.winding sheet a cloth in which the body of a dead person is wrapped for burial; shroud. Also refers to solidified candle drippings, signifying death.

Things to look out for: what does Sydney Carton think about his life?

Book the Second, Chapter Five:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Carton wakes up later at a tavern (whoa….), and then goes to join his fellow worker and lawyer, Stryver (who strives for greatness…. Tee hee hee). The two of them discuss their lives together throughout the years, and later Stryver talks about his life moving forward and how he could ‘shape-up’. Carton is not as enthusiastic about this idea. The two talk about Lucie, and then later leave for the night. When Carton goes to bed, he________________________.

Difficult Words/Phrases: Bacchanalian propensities a tendency toward drinking alcohol.

the Sessions meetings of legal officials to transact court business.


Hilary Term and Michaelmas the terms during which the courts heard cases. Hilary Term lasted from January 11-31, and Michaelmas term lasted from November 2-25.jackal someone who performs menial tasks for another.perspective-glass any device that aids a person's vision, like opera glasses.

Things to look out for: Is Stryver smarter than Carton? Why do you think Carton says Lucie is a ‘gold-haired doll’ compared to what Stryver says? Which of these characters has greater ambition?

Book the Second, Chapter Six:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: This chapter is a doozie (long and confusing). However, some important things are to be known; Darnay, Lucie, Carton, Mr. Lorry, Dr. Manette, have all become friends of sorts. Darnay tells a story about a man in a prison, and how the ashes of a letter are discovered from his cell. Dr. Manette is troubled deeply by this story. Later, they hear the sound of footsteps outside…. Lucie says she has this feeling that a great crowd is coming to enter their lives.

Difficult Words/Phrases: the lower regions the area of a house where servants often resided and where one could find the

kitchen.sons and daughters of Gaul that is, French men and women.a fit of the jerks an epileptic seizure.the Tower the Tower of London, a fortress made up of several buildings on the Thames in London, where the English government held criminals charged with high crimes.footpad a highwayman who travels by foot.

Things to look out for: why do you think Carton, Stryver, and Darnay are all over at Dr. Manette’s house? What are they interested in? Does Lucie seem to have many characteristics? What is this crazy mumbo jumbo about a crowd entering their lives?

Book the Second, Chapter Seven:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Were we just in England? Talking about crowds? Not anymore! Now, we are off in Paris again, and we are in a super, super, super rich house filled with aristocrats. What does one of the aristocrats eat? Have we seen any rich folk before? After this extravagant party (sort of), Monseigneur (basically, a French Lord) leaves in his carriage…. But what happens next is quite startling.

Difficult Words/Phrases: escutcheon the shield on which a family displays its crest.

the merry Stuart who sold it Charles II.a Farmer-General a member of a rich organization that made a living off of high taxes.Convulsionists members of a religious group with physical practices similar to the Shakers or the Holy Rollers.cataleptic having a condition in which consciousness and feeling seem to be temporarily lost and the muscles become rigid: the condition may occur in epilepsy, schizophrenia, and other such conditions.


finger post a sign post.Dervishes members of any of various Muslim religious groups dedicated to a life of poverty and chastity. Some dervishes practice whirling, chanting, and the like as religious acts.Palace of the Tuileries where the French king and queen lived in Paris.

Things to look out for: What did you think of the French Lord’s ‘feast’? What about what happened after the party? How does this make you feel about the noble characters in our book?

Book the Second, Chapter Eight:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Continuing to follow our French Lord (Monseigneur), we ride through the French country side. Monseigneur has some interesting dialogue with peasants along the way… one of them says he saw a _____________________ attached to his carriage…. Interesting.

Difficult Words/Phrases: the heavy drag a brake used to slow the carriage down as it descended the hill.

a forest for the chase the wood where hunting took place.the chain of the shoe a chain beneath the carriage, attached to the brake.flambeau a torch.

Things to look out for: Again, how do you feel about our Monseigneuar? Is he a nice guy?

Book the Second, Chapter Nine:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Monseigneur arrives to his lovely chateau (really, really, fancy house). Later, his nephew arrives, who is someone we know (!!!!!!!! WHAT?!!!!!!!). The two of them have a conversation, before our secret character leaves. However, come morning Monseigneaur has found a rather strange new item attached to his body…. Huh… that can’t be good…..

Difficult Words/Phrases: the Gorgon's head in Greek mythology, a Gorgon is one of three sisters with snakes for hair. They are so horrible that a beholder is turned to stone.a letter de cachet a document containing a royal warrant for the imprisonment without trial of a specified person.

Things to look out for: During this entire chapter, you should compare and contrast Monseigneaur with our mystery character.

Book the Second, Chapter Ten:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: We have returned to France, where Charles Darnay has found himself working as a teacher (French Teacher). Later, Darnay tells Dr. Manette that he _______ Lucie and wants to ____________. Although the Doctor does not disagree, this creates a somewhat dramatic problem for


him…. Think about what we know about last chapter, and also think about what Dr. Manette has been through… is there a connection? Either way, Darnay and Manette to make a promise that Darnay’s secret will not be revealed on the day of the ________________________.

Things to look out for: Pay close attention to Manette’s reaction to Darnay… what does he immediately do after he is finished talking with him?

Book the Second, Chapter Eleven:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Back to our lawyers, Strver and Carton, the two of them our having a discussion. Stryver says he is going to marry _____________. During this conversation, pay close attention to Carton’s lines of dialogue; you will be thoroughly entertained if you catch it.

Things to look out for: COMPARE AND CONTRAST THIS CHAPTER WITH THE LAST! Why does Stryver want to marry ____________? Why does Darnay want to _________________ Lucie?

Book the Second, Chapter Twelve:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: On his way to ‘wed’ _______, Stryver stops by Tellson’s bank and talks with Mr. Lorry. Upon hearing Stryver’s plans, Lorry tells him he should reconsider and let him go ‘investigate’.

Difficult Words/Phrases: Vauxhall Gardens London's first amusement park; the gardens, located on the south bank of the

Thames River, opened in 1660 and closed in 1859. Visitors enjoyed not only the natural setting, but also food, drink, musical performances, fireworks, and balloon launches.Ranelagh a competitor of Vauxhall Gardens, open from 1742 to 1803 and famous for its masquerades.

Things to look out for: When Lorry returns, how does Stryver react to the news? What does this say about his character?

Book the Second, Chapter Thirteen:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: First Darnay, then Stryver… and now ____________? Oh man…. But this… this is serious…..

Things to look out for: Okay, think about the last few chapters all with similar topics (Remember, this is all too similar to be just a convenience…. Dickens is doing something here). Of the three, which is the most powerful? Which made you feel the most sympathy?

Book the Second, Chapter Fourteen:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Remember those men who accused Charles Darnay back at the court scene at Old Bailey? Cly and Barsad? Well one of them (Cly) has “died”. What we have here in our chapter is a


funeral procession on their way to the graveyard with one of the bodies… however, Cly was a spy… and remember, people do not like spies, especially when they are spies against their own country…

While watching the whole funeral procession, Jerry Crunches decides it is time to go ‘fishing….’ But not for fish he goes a-fishing… what is he ‘fishing’ for? How does young Jerry react to his father’s occupational work?

Difficult Words/Phrases: bear leader someone who lead a trained bear from place to place for money.

public house a tavern or an inn that provided food and drink.Izaak Walton (1593-1683); the author of The Compleat Angler, a fishing manual.resurrection man a man who digs up corpses to sell to surgeons or medical schools for study.

Things to look out for: Look at the note for ‘resurrection man’ above. We have seen the mob a lot during our reading; do you sense a theme here?

Book the Second, Chapter Fifteen:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Back… to the Defarges… back at the wine shop, Jacques One, Two, and Three talk about Gaspard, the man who killed Monseigneaur back in our chapter a long while ago. He is not ‘hanging around’ (oh man, that joke is awful).

Okay, there is this character in the chapter called ‘the road-mender’. He is nameless for a reason…. He is serving a symbol…. Either way, when he and the Defarges leave to go to Court (fancy place where the King and Queen, and other nobles of France reside), the road-mender gets caught up in the emotion and cheers for them.

Meanwhile, the Defarges keep preparing their ‘Jacquerie’…. While Madame Defarge keeps knitting… constantly knitting… and she has added something new to her knitting.

Difficult Words/Phrases:crag a steep, rugged rock that rises above others or projects from a rock mass.shroud a cloth used to wrap a corpse for burial; winding sheet.

Things to look out for: So… when someone throws a stone at you, and you pick up the stone and throw it at them, then they pick up the stone and throw it at you, and you pick up the stone and…..

What is going on with all this knitting, and why does Madame Defarge ask for ‘shrouds?’

Book the Second, Chapter Sixteen:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Before the chapter really gets going, a Jacque in disguise of a police officer warns the Defarges of a new spy in the area… hey… who were our spies again?


The next day, a mysterious traveler comes to the Defarge’s wine shop… is he just a traveler? What does he want? No matter what though, he explains to the Defarge’s that Charles Darnay, a member of the ___________family, is going to marry Lucie!

…. And the knitting continues……


Christian name the baptismal name or given name, as distinguished from the surname or family name; first name.catechist a person who teaches, especially the principles of a religion, by the method of questions and answers.

Things to look out for: pay close attention to Monseiur Defarge’s reaction to the wedding of Darnay and Lucie… but meanwhile Madam Defarge knits a new name to her work…

Book the Second, Chapter Seventeen:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Ahhh…. A lovely moment between Father and Daugher… *sniff* So hard for fathers to let go of their daughters… :_(

Difficult Words/Phrases: apocryphal of doubtful authorship or authenticity; not genuine.

Things to look out for: Doctor Manette has spent 18 years in prison as a result of the ______________. Now, he is giving up his daughter’s hand in marriage to a __________________. However, this is a time of love and happiness for him, and his heart is filled with ____________..... hey, what is Madame Defarge’s heart filled with? Whoa, whoa, WHOA…. Literature is awesome.

Book the Second, Chapter Eighteen:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Sniff… oh daughters of fathers, you know not what pain a father must endure the day of a wedding… to let go of one’s sweet little girl and….. wait, Dr. Manette…. No! Not the shoemaking again! Noooooo!

Some marriages are harder on fathers than others…..

It is a good thing Mr. Lorry and Mrs. Pross are such good folk….. for ‘Nine-Days’ they watch over Manette as he struggles with his relapse.

Difficult Words/Phrases: chaise any of several kinds of lightweight carriage used for leisure, having two or four wheels and

drawn by one or two horses. Some have a collapsible top.

Things to look out for: Remember that promise Manette and Darnay made in Book Two, Chapter Ten? Now Manette knows….. Oh, what drama!


Book the Second, Chapter Nineteen:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: and then… on the tenth day…. Manette woke up like nothing happened! Strange…

Mr. Lorry takes steps to ensure that this ‘mental struggle’ never happens again; he and Mrs. Pross destroy and bury the ___________________________!!!!!

Difficult Words/Phrases: sagacity the quality or an instance of being sagacious; penetrating intelligence and sound judgment; wisdom."guineas, shillings, and bank-notes"forms of British currency.

Things to look out for: this might be difficult, but pay close attention to Manette’s reasoning behind his shoe-making bench? What did this do for him in jail? Do you think this is the end of Manette’s personal struggles? Hmmm…. We have whole other book to go!

Book the Second, Chapter Twenty:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: After Darnay and Lucie have returned home from their honeymoon, Carton swings by, apologizes to Darnay for his previous behavior, and asks to be able to come by their home in the future as a friend and guest. Then some dialogue happens….. pay attention to it.

Things to look out for: This chapter is super short and easy, but pay attention to Darnay and Lucie’s reaction to each other as well as Carton.

Book the Second, Chapter Twenty-One:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Ah… all is well in Soho, the 8 years pass…. Life goes well for our characters. Darnay and Lucie have children. Carton keeps working for Darnay, and Dr. Manette seems to be getting healthier and healthier. All Is well….. until trouble arises in France…. The Tellson’s bank in France is getting caught up in the motion…. The revolution has begun in Paris.

Battle ensues and rages; peasants find all manner of weapons in their hands, and the Seige of the Bastille begins….

Monseiur Defarge goes into a prison in the Bastille and looks for something…. Something hidden a long time in a wall…

Difficult Words/Phrases: a run of confidence a large number of customers withdrawing their money from a bank.

musket a smoothbore, long-barreled firearm, used especially by infantry soldiers before the invention of the rifle.pikes weapons formerly used by foot soldiers, consisting of a metal spearhead a long wooden shaft.


Things to look out for: compare the calm and quiet of Soho in England with the savagery and war in Saint Antoine in France now that the revolution has taken place….

…. And what exactly is Monseiur Defarge looking for?

Book the Second, Chapter Twenty-Two:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Simple…. The Revolution rages on. The ‘mob’ gets a hold of a French official named Foulon, who suggested in the past (prior to the revolution), that the French peasants eat grass to solve their hunger… and Madame Defarge and the Jacques get a hold of him…

Things to look out for: Okay, this is a tough read; don’t pay too much attention to the dramatic language and look for action things happening. Pay close attention to the way the mob behaves and acts.

Book the Second, Chapter Twenty-Three:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: The Revolution spreads out of Paris and into the French country side…. And now the Jacquerie and the other Revolutionaries reach the Evremonde chateau….to set it afire.

Difficult Words/Phrases: "wore a red cap now, in place of his blue one"French revolutionaries wore red caps.

sacristan a person responsible for the ceremonial equipment in a church.tocsin an alarm bell.

Things to look out for: Look at the language that Dickens uses to describe the mob; what are they like/ Do you believe that Dickens believes that the French nobility were innocent?

Book the Second, Chapter Twenty-Four:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Three more years pass, and France is now under the rule of the Revolutionaries, who have over thrown the nobility. We now return to our characters back in Soho, England. Mr. Lorry receives troubling news from the Tellson’s bank in France, and he must travel there. However, the two of them discuss a letter addressed to the Marquis St. Evremonde (who is this again…. Interesting). When Darnay hears them he takes hold of the letter, where he discovers Gabelle, a family servant from his past, is asking for his help… and inspired by his cry, Darnay, a ____________________ decides to travel to ____________.

Difficult Words/Phrases: Sardanapalus's luxury Sardanapalus (also known as Assurbanipal) was an Assyrian king renowned for his lavish lifestyle.Prison of the Abbaye a prison in Paris that held many aristocrats during the French Revolution.the Loadstone Rock a rock containing loadstone (or lodestone), a naturally magnetic mineral.

Things to look out for: Look for the reasons why Darnay is returning to __________. What is the danger in this, and what predictions can you make involving our plot/conflict?


Book the Third, Chapter One:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Darnay returns to France to rescue Gabelle. On his journey, he is escorted (guarded while traveling) by two Revolutionaries (examine how this happens). When he arrives in Paris, he is met by…. Monsieur Defarge…. Where he goes next is up to you to discover.

Difficult Words/Phrases: dragoon trot the pace of a mounted military unit.eventide evening.farrier a person who shoes horses.ambuscade ambush.La Force a prison in Paris.wicket a grated window in a door.

Things to look out for: When Mr. Lorry arrived in Saint Antoine, what did Defarge do? How is this different than what is happening now.

Book the Third, Chapter Two:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Lorry, shocked and terrified by the violence in France, is waiting in Tellson’s bank when …… burst in and tell him that Charles Darnay has been ……. However, one of our ‘guests’ has been here in Saint Antoine before, and he has reasons to be applauded/praised by the Revolutionaries; perhaps he can help?

Difficult Words/Phrases: the Gazette an English government publication that listed bankruptcy announcements.

Things to look out for: when the ‘man’ breaks through the mob, compare and contrast this character now to what he was like earlier in the book. It is remarkable, is it not?

Book the Third, Chapter Three:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Mr. Lorry, worried that Tellson’s bank might be at risk for keeping his ‘guests’ there, seeks to find a new location for them to stay. However, while our crew is staying at their new home, a certain member of the Revolution enters the room, asking to speak to them… uh oh…..

Things to look out for: When our member of the Revolution is inside and our ‘guests’ are speaking to him/her, pay close attention to who he/she watches… is there trouble a brewing? What is the mood of our novel right now?

Book the Third, Chapter Four:


Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Our ‘hero’ returns to tell the news about Charles Darnay. Our ‘hero’ is confident that he/she will be able to ‘save the day’. However, he has not done the deed yet, but only arranged a trial…. Have we seen a trial before? Hmmm….

Difficult Words/Phrases: Year One of Liberty the new government of France created a new calendar, based on the inception

of the French Republic in 1792 rather than on the birth of Christ. Consequently, 1792 was Year One.the head of the king…the head of his fair wife Louis XVI was executed on January 21, 1793. His wife, Marie Antoinette, was executed on October 18, 1793.

Things to look out for: Look closely at the names of ‘new characters’ going forward at this point. Who are they, and do you think that these names are referencing other things? Hmm…. Maybe like…. Allusion?

Book the Third, Chapter Five:Mr. Gebler’s Summary: Lucie, as her father suggests, goes to where Darnay is in prison; the plan is that she will stand exactly in a place where he can see her (this will give him some hope). During her visits (which she does every day), she is often harassed by the peasants/members of the revolution.


the Carmagnole a dance popular during the French Revolution.

The Conciergerie a prison in the Palais de Justice where many prisoners sentenced to die by the guillotine spent their last days.

Things to look out for: Examine Lucie’s reaction to the individuals who harass her. Does her courage falter/weaken? Also, pay close attention to who visits her last.

Summaries Over!!!!Ladies and Gentlemen, you have now reached the famous point in A Tale Of Two Cities; the book is

about to be super awesome. Congratulations on hitting this moment, and enjoy the rest of the novel. There are still notes below to assist you, but all summaries are over.

Book the Third, Chapter Six:Things to look out for: Oh how quickly can tides change, and the mob is a fickle/unpredictable creature. Notice how fast and rapid things change. What is Dickens saying here?

Book the Third, Chapter Seven:Difficult Words/Phrases: dumb lacking the power of speech; speechless.


Things to look out for: Do you think the ‘hero’ from before can save the day again?

Book the Third, Chapter Eight:Difficult Words/Phrases: cavalier a gallant or courteous gentleman; originally, a knight.spencer a short jacket that ends at the waist.a cant word a term from the secret slang of beggars, thieves, and the like.tergiversation the use of evasions or subterfuge.

Things to look out for: Interesting…. All these characters from before; notice how all our story elements are being mixed together now.

Book the Third, Chapter Nine:Difficult Words/Phrases: cogitation serious, deep thought; meditation.prevaricate to lie or to avoid telling the whole truth.

Things to look out for: Do we have a new hero? What is he/she preparing to do?

Book the Third, Chapter Ten:Difficult Words/Phrases: quay a landing place along the bank of a river.surgeon someone who cared for external injuries such as broken bones or wounds. Surgeons were not physicians and were referred to as "Mr."rather than "Dr."anathematize to denounce or curse.

Things to look out for: This chapter is difficult, mainly because it is hard to tell the difference between dialogue and the actual letter itself (everything is in quotation marks because it is being read aloud at the trial/ is the direct copy of the letter). Use the context of the sentences to help, and remember the following:

“I have been inside the moon” = read from the journal.

“’I have been inside the moon’”= Dialogue; the extra ‘ indicated dialogue when inside of quotes.

Book the Third, Chapter Eleven:


Difficult Words/Phrases: the dock the place where the accused stands or sits in court.

Things to look out for: Is there truly no more hope?

Book the Third, Chapter Twelve:Difficult Words/Phrases:

Jacobin journal the newspaper of a society of radical democrats in France during the French Revolution: so called because their meetings were held in the Jacobin friars' convent.inveteracy persistence or tenaciousness.

Things to look out for: Do we have a true villain now? Does he/she have valid reasons for his/her plans?

Book the Third, Chapter Thirteen:Difficult Words/Phrases: two score and twelve fifty-two (a score is twenty).cravat a neckerchief or scarf.a litter a stretcher for carrying the sick or wounded.

Things to look out for: who is this hero, and where did he/she come from? Is it the same person we knew from before? What has changed?

Book the Third, Chapter Fourteen:Things to look out for: Showdown… talk about intense. But remember, love conquers all…. But nothing in life is free.

Book the Third, Chapter Fifteen:Difficult Words/Phrases: the seers people with the supposed power to foretell events or a person's destiny; prophets.expiation a making amends or reparation for guilt or a wrongdoing.

Things to look out for: Epic… just enjoy.

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