# A Knock at the Door explained — A Tale of Two Cities

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/vii-a-knock-at-the-door
- 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