These are a set of 10 "higher level thinking" questions from a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. They are all from book 2 and have answers.

David PevznerJanuary 31, 2004

English20 Questions

1) What is the eighteenth century view of the death penalty in England?

A: The death penalty is clearly favored by the majority in England. People gather as an event to see others be executed and guillotined. Even the courtrooms smell wretched from all the death that occurs. "But indeed, at that time, putting to death was a recipe much in vogue with all trades and professions..."

2) How does his description of Tellson's Bank suggest Dickens' characteristic of over-writing?

A: Dickens clearly over describes Tellson's bank by using multiple words that all imply the same idea (He was paid for every word he wrote.) He calls it "...very smell, very dark, very ugly, very incommodious." He then goes on to say it was "proud of its darkness" and that it "wanted no light." All of these statements imply the same atmosphere but Dickens rather then just leaving it at dark and ugly describes the scene using multiple words.

3) How do Jerry's boots constitute a mystery?

A: They constitute a mystery because in the morning he throws a very muddy boot. After coming home from his "odd-job" at the bank he comes home with clean boots. Then the next morning those same boots are covered with clay.

4) How is Dickens critical of both the Old Bailey and Bedlam?

A: Dickens calls the Old Bailey a "kind of deadly inn-yard." From the Old Bailey travelers would set out to go into a "new violent world," and this is what made it a famous place. Also at the Old Bailey there was a whipping post and an old pillory all used for punishment. People paid to see the "play" at the Old Bailey just like they did at Bedlam. The entertainment at the Bedlam was much "dearer." Both of these institutions were signs of everything that "was wrong."

5) What is the tone set by Dickens in the courthouse at the trial of Charles Darnay?

A: It is a monotonous scene because everyone is begging for a death at the trial of Charles Darnay. The courthouse itself is dark and grave and the tone is incorporated in Dickens description of the courthouse itself. He says that the courthouse had to be sprinkled with herbs and vinegar as a precaution against getting gaol air and gaol fever from all the death.

6) What are the incriminating circumstances under which Darnay had traveled back and forth from England to France?

A: It was stated in the opening statement that Darnay had already been traveling back and forth for 5 years to the date that the Americans and Brits had battled. Darnay had been doing "secret business" and he could give no "honest account" of it, which makes it seem like he has committed treason. He had been traveling between France and England and his business was never discovered. Another incriminating circumstance had been found, and that was that he had passed a letter, which could have contained information regarding the military.

7) How are the witness' handled by the prosecution lawyers at the trial of Charles Darnay?

A: Each of the witness' is repeatedly asked questions that regard Charles Darnay as a criminal. The prosecution would ask a question and then quickly cut the witness off by proceeding to the next question. Most of the questions resulted in a quick yes or no answer which most of the time made Darnay seem guilty of treason. The only answer that was seen passing papers to a French Gentlemen.

8) What negative impressions do we get of Carton?

A: He was first described as having no part in the day's proceedings and he was standing "unrobed". Carton than goes to dinner with Darnay and he heavily drinks port wine from his "large cup." Carton then goes on to shatter his glass by throwing it against the wall after he proclaims a toast.

9) In the eyes of the community how are the Jackal and Lion portrayed and what is the relationship between the Jackal and Lion?

A: In the eyes of the community, Stryver seems to be a great man, a Lion, while Carton appears as a hanger on Stryver's coat tails, a Jackal. Stryver's relationship with Carton is based on practicing law. Stryver could never obtain much information from legal documents while Carton could. Stryver became a successful lawyer and Carton his assistant is doing all the work, just as he would in his childhood for all of his schoolmates.

10) What is the moral climate created by the Monsignor's servants?

A: His servants create an atmosphere that is lush and rich in nature. They let him sip his chocolate from a cup in their hands. His servants are all finely dressed in "gorgeous decoration." The chief servant can have no fewer than two gold watches with him at all times. And his daughter married a rich farmer-general to insure that the Monsignor is always surrounded by the wealthy.