A Tale of Two Cities · Chapter
Book the First: Recalled to Life explained
The novel opens with the famous line 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' setting the stage for a tale of resurrection and revolution.
What happens
The novel opens with the famous line 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' setting the stage for a tale of resurrection and revolution. Mr. Jarvis Lorry, an elderly banker at Tellson's Bank, receives a mysterious message from Jerry Cruncher: 'Recalled to Life.' He travels to Dover, where he meets Lucie Manette and reveals that her father, Dr. Manette, whom she believed dead for eighteen years, has been found alive in Paris. They journey to France, where Dr. Manette is discovered in a garret above Defarge's wine shop, in a state of mental deterioration, compulsively making shoes. The chapter ends with Dr. Manette's dazed recognition of his daughter.
Themes in this chapter
Resurrection and Renewal
The central theme of the chapter, embodied in the message 'Recalled to Life' and Dr. Manette's return from the dead after eighteen years of imprisonment.
Social Injustice and Revolution
The Defarges' wine shop and the secret harboring of Dr. Manette hint at the brewing revolution against the oppressive aristocracy.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Jarvis Lorry
Receives the message 'Recalled to Life' and travels to Dover to meet Lucie Manette, then accompanies her to Paris to retrieve Dr. Manette.
- Lucie Manette
Learns from Mr. Lorry that her father, Dr. Manette, is alive and travels with him to Paris to reunite with her father.
- Doctor Manette
Found in Defarge's garret after eighteen years of imprisonment, in a deteriorated mental state, compulsively making shoes.
- Monsieur Defarge
Keeps Dr. Manette hidden in his garret and shows Mr. Lorry and Lucie to him, revealing his role in the Doctor's concealment.
- Madame Defarge
Observed knitting in the wine shop, silently recording the names of the aristocracy in her knitting, foreshadowing her role in the revolution.
Key passages
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...”
The era was marked by extreme contrasts, with both great hope and deep despair.
Opening lines establish the duality of the period.
“Recalled to Life.”
Brought back from the dead or from a state of oblivion.
The mysterious message that sets the plot in motion, referring to Dr. Manette's release from prison.