A Tale of Two Cities: Recommended Reading Schedule:

Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.

May 8 May 9 May 10 May 11 May 12 May 13
Book I: Chap. 1-3 Book I: Chap. 4-5 Book I: Chap. 6 Book II: Chap. 1&2 Book II: Chap. 3&4 Book II: Chap. 5&6

May 14 May 15 May 16 May 17 May 18 May 19 May 20

Book II: Chap 7&8 Book II: Chap 9-11 Book II: Chap. Book II: Chap. Book II: Chap. Book II: Chap. 21- Book II: Chap. 23-
12-14 15-17 18-20 22 24
May 21 May 22 May 23 May 24 May 25 May 26 May 27
Book III: Chap. 1&2 Book III: Chap. 3-5 Book III: Chap 6-8 Book III: Chap. Book III: Chap. Book III: Chap.
9&10 11-13 14-15

A TALE OF TWO CITIES: PLACES, PEOPLE, & ALLUSIONS

L'ABBAYEPrison of the French monarchy,
used by the Revolutionaries to jail aristocrats.
BARMECIDEMember of a fictional Persian
family (in The Arabian Nights), who treated a
beggar to a mock feast. Dickens' reference-
"Barmecide room"- emphasizes that no dining
ever occurred at Tellson's.
BASTILLEFrench fortress used to confine
state prisoners; the Bastille was much hated by
the people.
BEDLAMShortened form of Bethlehem
Hospital for the Insane. In the 18th century
visiting Bedlam was a popular London
excursion; in our own day the term has become
general for lunacy or chaos.
CONCIERGERIEPrison attached to the
Palace of Justice in Paris. Marie Antoinette,
Robespierre, and other famous prisoners of the
Revolution awaited execution here; between
January 1793 and July 1794 nearly 2,600
prisoners left for the guillotine.
CONVULSIONISTSGroup of French
religious enthusiasts given to wild dancing and
fits; in fashion somewhat before the time
Dickens describes.
FLEET STREETLondon newspaper and
business district, well known to Dickens.
LA FORCEOld debtors' prison of Paris;
during the Revolution it held political offenders.
FURIESIn Greek and Roman mythology,
minor deities who relentlessly pursued sinners.
GAZETTEOfficial government publication
in England, containing bankruptcy and other
notices; to be "driven into the Gazette" is to be
published a bankrupt.
GORGON'S HEADReference to Medusa,
the Gorgon, a monster of Greek mythology. All
who looked at Medusa were turned to stone.
The hero Perseus succeeded in cutting off her
head.
HILARY TERMSitting of the English High
Court of Justice, extends from January to just
before Easter.
HOTEL DE VILLEFrench term for any city
hall; here, the Paris City Hall.
JACQUERIEOriginally applied to a French
peasant revolt in the Middle Ages, the term
came to mean any uprising of the common
people. Jacques was the old collective name for
French peasants, which Defarge and his
revolutionary friends co-opt, proudly, as a
password: "How goes it, Jacques?"
LEONORA, BALLAD OFBallad of Gothic
horror, composed in 1773 and popular among
European romantics.
MICHAELMAS TERMFall sitting of
English High Court of Justice, beginning after
September 29 (the Feast of St. Michael).
NEWGATEInfamous London prison, now
demolished; held prisoners awaiting trial at the
Old Bailey, next door.
OLD BAILEYLondon court of law,
remodeled into the Centre Criminal Court, but
still widely called "Old Bailey."
RANELAGHSuburban pleasure garden
popular with mid-18th-century Londoners, but
falling out of favor when Stryver proposes
inviting Lucie Manette there.
SAINT ANTOINESuburb (faubourg) of
Paris that supported primitive manufacturing; its
impoverished residents were the backbone of
the Revolutionary mob.
SARDANAPALUSGreek name for king of
ancient Assyria, made proverbial by his lavish
display of wealth.
SESSIONSPeriodic sittings or meetings of
English justices of the peace; the Sessions deal
with certain crimes and statutes.
SOHOUpper-class district of central London.
TEMPLE BARLondon gateway dividing
Fleet Street from the Strand; the heads of
executed traitors were displayed on it. Designed
by Christopher Wren in 1670, Temple Bar was
removed to a private estate in 1878.
TOWER OF LONDONFortress where those
imprisoned for treason awaited trial.
TUILERIES, PALACE OFParis residence
of the French kings, and hated symbol of the
monarchy. Burnt down by French
Revolutionaries of 1871.
TYBURNLondon gallows called "Tyburn
tree," until 1783 for hanging felons. Public
executions became festivals, drawing large
crowds.
VAUXHALL GARDENSPopular suburban
resort, opened in 1660, closed in 1859- the year
A Tale of Two Cities was printed.
WALTON, IZAAKAuthor of The Compleat
Angler, 17th-century treatise on fishing.
WHITEFRIARSLondon district between
Thames and Fleet Street, long a haunt of
fugitive debtors and criminals and so an
appropriate address for Jerry Cruncher, body
snatcher.

THEMES TO LOOK OUT FOR: GUIDED READING QUESTIONS:

Oppression leads to violence and revolution. Book One
Men can be reborn under difficult circumstances. 1. Chapter OneWhat is the point that best sums up the
Love has the power to redeem. first paragraph? How are things different in France and in
England?
MOTIFS TO LOOK OUT FOR: 2. Chapter TwoWhat does the messenger want?
3. Chapter Three-What does Lorry see in his dreams?
Animal imagery associated with several characters
4. Chapter FourWhat shocking news does Lorry give to
Irony of the many coincidences Lucie?
Blood, color red (also symbolic) 5. Chapter FiveWhat foreshadowing occurs in this
chapter?
SYMBOLISM TO LOOK OUT FOR: Book Two
The Jail 1. Chapter OneHow is Tellsons Bank like a prison?
Soho (garden of eden) 2. Chapter ThreeWhat trick does the defense use to win a not
Color Red guilty verdict for Charles Darnay?
Tellsons Bank 3. Chapter FiveHow would you summarize Cartons present life?
Sydney Carton (Christ type), Marquis St. Evremonde, Madame 4. Chapter SevenWhat accident does the Marquis St. Evermonde
commit while riding in his carriage? How does he react?
Defarge, & the guillotine
5. Chapter 9What happens to the Marquis St. Evermonde?
6. Chapter 12Who does Stryver stop to see on his way to the
Manettes? What does he learn from them?
 CHARACTERS IN A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Dickens uses many characters in his novels. If you jot down a few notes on each character as he or she is introduced, and keep this with you while you read, it will help
you avoid confusion.

Dr. Alexandre Manette Jerry Cruncher

Lucie Manette C. J. Stryver

Charles Darnay Roger Cly

Sydney Carton Soloman Pross

Jarvis Lorry Jacquerie

Miss Pross Monseigneur

Madame Defarge Road-Mender

Ernest Defarge Gabelle

Marquis St. Evremonde Vengeance

Gaspard Little Lucy

SETTINGS IN A TALE OF TWO CITIES

This is a place for you to jot down a few notes on each of the major settings as they are introduced. The novel takes place in London and Paris during the late 1700s.

Also, visit http://literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/two-cities/ for an online copy of the entire novel.