Chapter Summary:
Chapter 1 begins with a very detailed description of Tellson's Bank. Tellson's, we are to understand, is a very formidable institution. Tellson's prides itself on being inconvenient. It is also to be understood that in those days, Tellson's would require anyone perpetrating any crime having to do with money to be held accountable to the law and put to death.
Next in the chapter we meet again Mr. Jerry Cruncher. Jerry is the odd jobs man for Tellson's bank. We meet him this time at his home where he is preparing for his mornings work. He is frustrated with the praying, or flopping as he calls it, of his wife. He tells his son, young Jerry, to watch his mother to make sure there is no more flopping. Then father and son set off for Tellson's where Jerry will sit upon a stool of his own making and wait for a job.
Historical Context:
Temple Bar: This was a gate in the city, formerly connecting London and Westminster. A very large stone structure that for a period of time the head of beheaded persons would hang.
Money: In those days money was made of rags. I reference to this is made on page 62.
Gaiters: Extra coverings for a man’s leg, formed of cloth, buttoning from the knee to the ankle, and covering the instep.
Counterpane: A bead spread
Sleeping closet: In those days people were just realizing that it was good for people to have their own sleeping quarters. The house the Jerry Cruncher lives in has presumably one regular sized sleeping chamber with a smaller one adjoining. It is this smaller one that is referred to as a sleeping closet. It is, however a room and not a closet.
Vocabulary:
insensate (pg. 62): Lacking sympathy or compassion; unfeeling
appellation (pg. 63): A name or title
convivial )pg. 66): Friendly, lively, and enjoyable
menagerie (pg. 67): A strange or diverse collection
Stacy's Thoughts:
On page 61 when it is talking about the partners of Tellson's Bank disinheriting his sons for wanting to modernize or change the nature of the Bank, I wonder if that refers to the Revolutionary War.
Jerry considers himself an honest tradesman. So far I can only ascertain that he is doing odd jobs for the Bank. I gather that those jobs may take him out in the dead of night and involve mud. That is yet to be seen. I think it is funny that he attributes any misfortune he may have to his wife's praying. I think whatever it is he is doing in the night must cause her worry so she feels the need to pray even though she is rebuked many times for doing so.
Chapter 1 begins with a very detailed description of Tellson's Bank. Tellson's, we are to understand, is a very formidable institution. Tellson's prides itself on being inconvenient. It is also to be understood that in those days, Tellson's would require anyone perpetrating any crime having to do with money to be held accountable to the law and put to death.
Next in the chapter we meet again Mr. Jerry Cruncher. Jerry is the odd jobs man for Tellson's bank. We meet him this time at his home where he is preparing for his mornings work. He is frustrated with the praying, or flopping as he calls it, of his wife. He tells his son, young Jerry, to watch his mother to make sure there is no more flopping. Then father and son set off for Tellson's where Jerry will sit upon a stool of his own making and wait for a job.
Historical Context:
Temple Bar: This was a gate in the city, formerly connecting London and Westminster. A very large stone structure that for a period of time the head of beheaded persons would hang.
Money: In those days money was made of rags. I reference to this is made on page 62.
Gaiters: Extra coverings for a man’s leg, formed of cloth, buttoning from the knee to the ankle, and covering the instep.
Counterpane: A bead spread
Sleeping closet: In those days people were just realizing that it was good for people to have their own sleeping quarters. The house the Jerry Cruncher lives in has presumably one regular sized sleeping chamber with a smaller one adjoining. It is this smaller one that is referred to as a sleeping closet. It is, however a room and not a closet.
Vocabulary:
insensate (pg. 62): Lacking sympathy or compassion; unfeeling
appellation (pg. 63): A name or title
convivial )pg. 66): Friendly, lively, and enjoyable
menagerie (pg. 67): A strange or diverse collection
Stacy's Thoughts:
On page 61 when it is talking about the partners of Tellson's Bank disinheriting his sons for wanting to modernize or change the nature of the Bank, I wonder if that refers to the Revolutionary War.
Jerry considers himself an honest tradesman. So far I can only ascertain that he is doing odd jobs for the Bank. I gather that those jobs may take him out in the dead of night and involve mud. That is yet to be seen. I think it is funny that he attributes any misfortune he may have to his wife's praying. I think whatever it is he is doing in the night must cause her worry so she feels the need to pray even though she is rebuked many times for doing so.
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