Chapter Summary:
Jerry Cruncher is summoned by someone from Tellson's for an assignment. He is to go to the Old Bailey and take a message to Mr. Lorry. Mr. Lorry is participating in a trial and wishes to have a messenger at hand. Jerry will be that messenger. Into the court room comes the accused, Mr. Charles Darnay. He is a gentleman accused of Treason against England. Between the years of 1775 and 1780, Mr. Darnay has gone back and forth between England and France many times. People who did that were suspected of aiding the French as they helped the Colonies against Englnd. This is the crime of which Mr. Darnay stands accused. Mr. Lorry has been called to the court as a witness in this case, along with Dr. and Miss Manette.
Historical Context:
The Old Bailey: The Old Bailey is the street where Newgate Prison and the Sessions House (court house) are.
Vocabulary:
Spile (pg. 70): To spile has something to do with tapping a cask. In this sense it has to do with a vile manner of torture where the insides of a person are made to be on the outside.
Stacy's Thoughts:
I have noticed that Dickens describes all of his characters with some mention of their eyes. This usually has been very insightful for me about the personality of the character. I am confused why he refers to Charles Darnay as having dark eyes. I am also confused about the rust on Jerry's fingers.
No comments:
Post a Comment