“A Tale of Two Cities” Character Project

1. “A Tale of Two Cities” Character Project BY: Clara Chen, Brenda Ji, Helen Lee AP Lit, Period 3

2. Quote “It’s enough for you...to be the wife of a honest tradesman, and not to occupy your female mind with calculations when he took to his trade or when he didn’t. A honouring and obeying wife would let his trade alone altogether. Call yourself a religious woman? If you’re a religious woman, give me a irreligious one! You have no more nat’ral sense of duty than the bed of this here Thames river has of a pile, and similarly it must be knocked into you” (Dickens 164).

3. Traits -Abusive, especially toward his wife -Short-tempered -Hypocritical -Insecure -Superstitious

4. Lit Devices -Dialogue characterizes Jerry Cruncher as a short-tempered and abusive husband. He is constantly yelling at her, especially when she is praying. He does not even bother to listen to her, showing that he does not treat her with respect and thinks mostly of himself. -Irony shows how hypocritical Jerry Cruncher is when he calls himself an honest tradesman. He is a grave robber, who digs up corpses and sells them to medical students, surgeons, and scientists for money. The work he is involved in is immoral and wrong, not honest and good. -The rhetorical question Cruncher asks his wife emphasizes the disrespectful way he treats her. It shows how he does not want to hear her answer and does not appreciate her efforts in praying.

5. Function Main Function: Jerry Cruncher is the man who takes care of business and does the dirty work. -He is a messenger, delivering news to people. -He is a grave robber (“Resurrection Man”) who digs up dead bodies for doctors and scientists.

6. Importance of Function -His role provides a window into the upper class through the eyes of the lower class. It also gives the reader information about the different situations, such as the “Recalled to Life” message, court trial, and funeral of Cly. -His character provides comedic relief, parodying resurrection through his job as a grave robber. -His abusive relationship with his wife contrasts with Darnay’s sweet and caring relationship with Lucie.

7. Metaphor/Symbol - Nocturnal - Known to be bandits - Black and spiky hair - Short tempered - Probably superstitious - Attack when they feel threatened

8. Allusion - “Mr. Cruncher sat watching the two streams, like the heathen rustic who has for centuries been on duty watching one stream--saving that Jerry had no expectation of their ever running dry.” (Chapter 14) -In Greek Mythology, Charon is the ferryman of the dead in service of Hades through the river, Styx. -Likewise, Jerry is subordinate in both his work as a “resurrection-man” and as a messenger for Tellson’s. -Moreover, Jerry’s name is an allusion in itself. His initials and his real name, Jeremiah, suggest the prophetic aspect of his character.

9. Theme Song “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” - Cage the Elephant (chorus) There ain't no rest for the wicked Money don't grow on trees I got bills to pay I got mouths to feed Ain't nothing in this world for free No I can't slow down I can't hold back Though you know I wish I could No there ain't no rest for the wicked Until we close our eyes for good