A Tale of Two Cities · Chapter
A Knock at the Door explained
Charles Darnay has been saved from the Tribunal by Doctor Manette, but the household remains tense and fearful.
What happens
Charles Darnay has been saved from the Tribunal by Doctor Manette, but the household remains tense and fearful. As Miss Pross and Jerry Cruncher go out to market, a knock at the door brings four armed men who arrest Darnay again, denouncing him as a prisoner of the Republic, denounced by the Defarges and one other.
Themes in this chapter
Sacrifice and Redemption
Doctor Manette has redeemed his promise to save Charles, but the arrest threatens to undo his sacrifice.
Social Injustice and Revolution
The arbitrary arrest and denunciation reflect the revolutionary paranoia and injustice, where the innocent are condemned on vague suspicion.
Fate and History
The knock at the door and the return to prison suggest an inescapable fate, as historical forces of the Revolution close in on Darnay.
Characters to notice
- Charles Darnay
Recently saved from the Tribunal, he is arrested again by four armed men who denounce him as Evrémonde.
- Lucie Manette
Trembles with fear for her husband's safety, clings to him when the arrest occurs.
- Doctor Manette
Has redeemed his promise to save Charles; stands as a statue when the arrest happens, then questions the men.
- Miss Pross
Goes marketing with Jerry Cruncher, expresses loyalty to King George III, and shows concern for the family's safety.
- Mr. Cruncher
Now a daily retainer for the family, accompanies Miss Pross on marketing duties, and has his name added to the doorpost.
- Madame Defarge
Denounced Darnay along with Monsieur Defarge and one other, as revealed by the man from Saint Antoine.
Key passages
“I have saved him.”
Doctor Manette declares that he has rescued Charles Darnay from the Tribunal.
This line opens the chapter, emphasizing Manette's successful intervention.
“The Citizen Evrémonde, called Darnay... You are again the prisoner of the Republic.”
The armed men announce that Darnay is once more a prisoner of the revolutionary government.
This marks the sudden reversal of Darnay's freedom and the beginning of his second arrest.
“He is denounced—and gravely—by the Citizen and Citizeness Defarge. And by one other.”
The man from Saint Antoine reveals that Darnay has been denounced by the Defarges and an unnamed third person.
This disclosure implicates the Defarges directly and hints at a mysterious additional accuser.