# I: In Secret explained — A Tale of Two Cities

> Chapter companion for A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Charles Darnay travels from England to Paris in 1792, facing constant surveillance, hostile crowds, and revolutionary decrees. He is arrested at the Paris barrier, identified as the emigrant Evrémonde, and consigned to La Force prison 'in secret' by Monsieur Defarge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and History

Darnay is caught in the relentless tide of revolutionary history; his journey is shaped by decrees and popular fury beyond his control.

### Class and Privilege

Darnay is labeled an 'emigrant' and 'aristocrat' by the crowd and officials, stripped of rights and subjected to revolutionary justice.

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Darnay voluntarily returns to France to help Gabelle, risking his life in a gesture of personal responsibility.

## Character check-ins

### Charles Darnay

Travels from England to Paris under escort, is arrested and sent to La Force prison.

### Monsieur Defarge

Conducts Darnay to the guardroom, identifies him as the emigrant Evrémonde, and delivers him to prison.

### Lucie Manette

Mentioned as Darnay's wife, who reclaimed her father from Defarge's wine-shop.

### Doctor Manette

Mentioned as Lucie's father, once a prisoner in the Bastille.

### Monsieur Gabelle

His letter from the Abbaye prison enables Darnay to travel; mentioned as the afflicted Gabelle.

## Key lines

> Down with the emigrant!

The crowd in Beauvais shouts hostility toward Darnay as a returning aristocrat.

_Reflects the revolutionary animosity against emigrants._

> Emigrants have no rights, Evrémonde.

The officer tells Darnay that as an emigrant, he has no legal protections.

_Highlights the suspension of legal rights under revolutionary rule._

> In secret.

The officer writes 'in secret' on Darnay's commitment paper, indicating he is to be held in isolation.

_Foreshadows Darnay's solitary confinement and the secretive nature of revolutionary justice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/i-in-secret
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters