# III: The Shadow explained — A Tale of Two Cities

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

## What happens

Mr. Lorry, concerned for Tellson's safety, moves Lucie, her child, and Miss Pross to a new lodging. Defarge delivers a note from Doctor Manette saying Charles is safe, and brings Madame Defarge and The Vengeance to identify Lucie and her child. Lucie pleads for her husband's safety, but Madame Defarge coldly refuses, hinting at a deeper vendetta against Doctor Manette's family.

## Themes in this chapter

### Vengeance vs. Justice

Madame Defarge's cold refusal to help Lucie, despite her pleas as a wife and mother, highlights the theme of vengeance overriding any sense of mercy or justice.

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Mr. Lorry's willingness to hazard his own possessions and life for Lucie and her child, while strictly adhering to his duty to Tellson's, reflects the tension between personal sacrifice and professional obligation.

### Class and Privilege

Madame Defarge's bitter reference to the suffering of 'wives and mothers' from the lower classes contrasts with Lucie's privileged position, underscoring the class divide fueling the Revolution.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Jarvis Lorry

Arranges new lodging for Lucie and her child, receives Doctor Manette's note from Defarge, and tries to reassure Lucie despite his own unease.

### Lucie Manette

Weeps for her husband, receives Charles's note, and desperately pleads with Madame Defarge for mercy, feeling a dark shadow cast over her hopes.

### Madame Defarge

Accompanies Defarge to identify Lucie and her child, remains cold and impassive, and declares that Lucie's father is her true business, refusing to help Charles.

### Monsieur Defarge

Delivers Doctor Manette's note to Mr. Lorry, leads the group to Lucie's lodging, and shows a reserved, mechanical manner that troubles Mr. Lorry.

### Miss Pross

Appears with folded arms, defiantly addresses The Vengeance in English, and remains protective of Lucie and the child.

### The Vengeance

Follows Madame Defarge, echoes her remarks about the suffering of wives and mothers, and is present during the identification of Lucie and her child.

## Key lines

> The shadow attendant on Madame Defarge and her party seemed to fall so threatening and dark on the child, that her mother instinctively kneeled on the ground beside her, and held her to her breast.

The ominous presence of Madame Defarge and her companions cast a menacing gloom over little Lucie, causing her mother to kneel and embrace her protectively.

_This passage emphasizes the symbolic 'shadow' that Madame Defarge represents, threatening the innocence of Lucie's family._

> Your husband is not my business here. It is the daughter of your father who is my business here.

Madame Defarge tells Lucie that Charles Darnay is not her concern; instead, she is focused on Lucie as the daughter of Doctor Manette.

_This reveals Madame Defarge's personal vendetta against Doctor Manette, linking to the theme of vengeance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iii-the-shadow
- 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