Insight into “Book the Second”
Chapters 3, 4, and 5
Chapter 3:
“A Sight”
Literary
Foils
*A character foil is a character whose traits
are in direct contrast to those of another
character. These two characters are
juxtaposed to highlight each other’s
differences.
Make sure that you have marked
Sydney Carton’s first appearance on
page 62 and Charles Darnay’s first
appearance on page 63—and note
that Dickens establishes their role as
foils from their first appearances.
Continue to look for these differences,
marking them in chapter 4.
Be sure that you can explain why
Chapter 3 is entitled “A
Disappointment.” (In other words,
what is the disappointment? Who is
disappointed?)
Dickens satirizes the
British court system on pp.
66-69 through the use of
hyperbolic jargon.
Be sure that you can explain the
metaphor of the “blue flies” and
their buzzing in chapter 3.
Chapter 4: Congratulatory
• Make sure that you can explain why chapter 4 is entitled
“Congratulatory.”
• At the bottom of p. 81, note the irony of Mr. Stryver telling
Charles that he was “glad to have brought [him] off with
honour”—when in actuality Sydney is responsible for
saving Charles’ life.
• On page 81, we see Dr. Manette looking at Charles in a
strange manner (see the “His face had become frozen”
paragraph). Mark this as foreshadowing.
• As Sydney takes Charles out for a congratulatory drink after
the trial, mark every evidence of these two being foils for
one another.
Chapter 5: “The Jackal”—BEFORE
READING
Keep in mind that no title in a Dickens’
chapter is insignificant. As you read,
keep in mind the definition of “jackal”
that I’ve given on the next slide. Be
prepared to explain who the “jackal”
is—and what irony is involved in that
title.
Jackal
denotation: dog-like animal from Africa/Asia
connotation: one who performs tasks for
another
Chapter 5: “The Jackal”—BEFORE
READING
Charles and Sydney are not the only
foils in A Tale of Two Cities. Stryver and
Sydney are foils. Be ready to explain
how their characters are opposite one
another.
Chapter 5: “The Jackal”—DURING
READING
Paragraph 1, page 86:
Remember that you already know what the
word “Bacchanalian” means because of our
study of Antigone. Bacchus is the same GrecoRoman God as Dionysus (the Greek wine and
fertility). So, the term “Bacchanalian” now
brings to mind the image of a drunken revelry.
Chapter 5: “The Jackal”—DURING READING
Paragraph 1, page 86:
Note the pun and the symbolism of the lawyer’s name:
Stryver (a striver is one who strives). In this paragraph,
the narrator tells us that this man is “already fast
shouldering his way to a large and lucrative practice.”
(Remember what Brutus said about lowliness being
“young ambition’s ladder”? Stryver is using Sydney to
climb his way up the ladder of success—and he’s
forgetting that Sydney is the one getting him to that
success.)
Chapter 5: “The Jackal”—DURING READING
Page 87: Notice the characterization of Sydney Carton
as an alcoholic. (See “Sydney Carton” paragraph.)
Chapter 5: “The Jackal”—DURING READING
Page 88-89: The jackal imagery is implemented here.
Notice what Sydney is doing for Stryver—and what
Stryver is doing what Sydney does the work!
Chapter 5: “The Jackal”—DURING READING
Page 92: Notice the sad imagery of the last paragraph
of Chapter 5. Be sure that you understand the “sad”
physical setting is reflecting the sad state of Sydney
Carton (and be sure you can explain why Sydney’s
condition is sad). Dickens often has his physical setting
reflect the mood of the characters or the conflict of the
drama.