Name______Date ______
A Tale of Two Cities
Book II, Chapter 16
“Still Knitting”
I. Notes
The differences between Defarge and his wife make themselves even more apparent after their return from Versailles. While Defarge shows a very human weariness with the seemingly endless road of revolution, Madame Defarge remains unswerving in her commitment to the cause. She views the movement as a creation process that will produce the relentless forces of vengeance and retribution. She explains to her husband, though, that "it is your weakness that you sometimes need to see your victim and your opportunity, to sustain you."In other words, the promise of an ultimate fulfillment drives Madame Defarge, while Defarge thrives on the concrete reality of day-to-day experience.
The private moment between the couple after their day of indoctrinating the road-mender also highlights how completely their revolutionary work has consumed them. Defarge's depression that they may not live to see the fruition of their efforts reminds the reader that the Defarges are childless, and in effect, the revolution is their child. Just as Doctor Manette finds new life in his daughter, Defarge hopes to find a new life for himself and his country through the revolution. However, like the aristocratic women, Madame Defarge is an unnatural mother. She works not toward giving life but toward giving death.
The Defarges' differing focuses on life and death especially emerge when Barsad discloses the news of Lucie's engagement and Darnay's identity. As Defarge hopes for their sake that they stay out of France and therefore keep their lives, Madame Defarge coolly knits Darnay's name into her register next to Barsad's, condemning them both to death.
II. Terms
1. Christian name- the baptismal name or given name, as distinguished from the surname or family name; first name.
2. catechist- a person who teaches, especially the principles of a religion, by the method of questions and answers.
III. Questions
1. The success of the Revolution seems assured because there are Jacques in the strategic government offices -- give an example.
2. Why does Defarge not answer to the name "Jacques" when greeted by the stranger in the wineshop?
3. What information given by Barsad strongly affects the Defarges, but differently?
4.What is Defarge worried about in the first few pages of this chapter? How does Madame Defarge mitigate his fear? What does this say about each of these characters?
5.How does John Barsad return to the action of the novel? Who is he spying for?
6.How does Barsad’s use of the name “Jacques” differ from the others who use it? (What is Monsieur Defarge’s first name?)
7.What does Barsad tell the Defarges? What is their reaction? How does the entire novel turn on what they say?
8.Note how the image of knitting closes this chapter. Describe how the metaphor is extended here.