Insight into Book the Second, Chapters 6 and 7

1. Insight into Book the Second, Chapters 6 and 7

2. Chapter 6“Hundreds of People”

3. Be sure to note the setting of chapter six—and how Dickens idealizes the setting.

4. On page 93, you might want to mark the “cool spot, staid but cheerful, a wonderful place for echoes.” Echoes will be an important motif in the novel, so you’ll want to mark in pink when Dickens uses this image. (See the titles of Book II, ch. 21 and Book III, ch. 15.)

5. On page 95, note that Miss Pross hyperbolizes when she says that “hundreds” of people come to see Lucie. (We know this because the narrator has already told us how quiet and serene the little corner in Soho is.)

6. The top of page 97 is EXTREMELY important. You want to mark the introduction of the fact that Miss Pross has a brother—and you might want to write that brother’s name at the top of that page. Pay close attention to why Miss Pross hasn’t seen her brother in so long.(Keep in mind that “speculating” is gambling.)

7. Pages 101-102 are an extremely important section of this chapter. Be sure that you notice the strange reaction that Dr. Manette has at times when he looks at Charles Darnay (and remember that this strange reaction was first foreshadowed on page 81 in the hallway outside the Old Bailey).

8. Notice Dickens’ use of foreshadowing on page 104 in the dialogue at the end of chapter six between Jerry and Mr. Lorry. Pay CLOSE attention to Jerry’s response to Mr. Lorry—because it’s a clue to Jerry’s intrigue.

9. Chapter 7“Monseigneur in Town”

10. The word “monseigneur” literally is used to signify French royalty. In chapter seven of Book the Second, Dickens uses the term “monseigneur” to personify the entire Second Estate (the French aristocracy), but he implies that it’s one specific unnamed French Lord.

11. Chapters seven and eight are partner chapters, much like chapters three and four of Book the Second, which are entitled “A Disappointment” and “Congratulatory.” Note the names of chapters seven and eight: “Monseigneur in Town” and “Monseigneur in the Country.”

12. As you read the first two paragraphs of chapter seven, examine the next slide, which is a diagram of the Solomon’s Temple from the Old Testament.

13. Remember that in Ancient Judaism, Yahweh (God) dwelled within the Holy of Holies—and that only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies one time a year to offer sacrifice (on the Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur). The other priests could come into the Holy Place to offer sacrifice—but no further.Dickens is creating satire here by having Monseigneur (a French Lord) play the role of God in the Holiest of Holiests—with his worshippers bringing him chocolate.

14. At the bottom of page 109, we meet a key character: the Marquis St. Evremonde. Be sure to pay close attention to how he likes to have his carriage driven—and to his outrageous arrogance.

15. Page 110 contains an extremely important plot development. Pay close attention to the “wild rattle and clatter” paragraph (and those immediately following). The tragedy that happens on pages 110 and 111 is key in understanding several plot developments.You might want to mark (at the top of p. 111) “[a] tall man in a nightcap”—and remember where you’ve seen this physical characterization before (pp. 29-30).

16. On page 113, be sure that you pay attention to Madame Defarge—and what she is doing as she looks at the Marquis’ face.