# Darkness explained — A Tale of Two Cities

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

## What happens

Sydney Carton, sober and resolute, navigates the streets of Paris, visiting Defarge's wine-shop where he overhears Madame Defarge plotting the extermination of the Evrémonde line. He later meets with Mr. Lorry, revealing the imminent danger to Lucie, her child, and Doctor Manette from Madame Defarge's denunciation. Carton orchestrates a plan for their escape, securing certificates and instructing Lorry to prepare horses for a swift departure at two o'clock the next afternoon. He then helps the distraught Doctor Manette and bids a silent farewell to Lucie's window.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice and Redemption

Carton's sober resolve and selfless planning to save Lucie's family, culminating in his farewell, embody his sacrificial path toward redemption.

### Vengeance vs. Justice

Madame Defarge's pursuit of extermination represents vengeance, contrasting with Carton's more merciful, justice-oriented plan to rescue the innocent.

### Resurrection and Renewal

Carton's transformation from a dissipated man to a purposeful savior echoes the theme of being 'recalled to life' and the possibility of renewal through sacrifice.

## Character check-ins

### Sydney Carton

Sober and determined, Carton executes a careful plan to save Lucie and her family, overhearing Madame Defarge's murderous intentions and coordinating with Mr. Lorry.

### Madame Defarge

In her wine-shop, Madame Defarge insists on the extermination of the Evrémonde line and reveals her intent to denounce Lucie, her child, and Doctor Manette.

### Monsieur Defarge

Defarge shows some hesitation regarding the Doctor's fate but ultimately defers to his wife's more radical stance.

### Jacques

Jacques Three, present in the wine-shop, supports Madame Defarge's call for extermination.

### The Vengeance

The Vengeance joins the conversation in the wine-shop, approving Madame Defarge's doctrine of extermination.

### Mr. Jarvis Lorry

Mr. Lorry receives Carton's instructions for the escape plan, promising to prepare horses and wait for Carton's signal.

## Key lines

> For the first time in many years, he had no strong drink. Since last night he had taken nothing but a little light thin wine, and last night he had dropped the brandy slowly down on Mr. Lorry’s hearth like a man who had done with it.

Carton abstains from alcohol for the first time in years, having symbolically poured his brandy onto Lorry's hearth the previous night.

_Highlights Carton's newfound sobriety and determination._

> At extermination, said madame. Magnificent! croaked Jacques Three. The Vengeance, also, highly approved.

Madame Defarge declares for extermination, which Jacques Three and The Vengeance enthusiastically endorse.

_Reveals the radical, merciless intent of the revolutionaries toward the Evrémonde family._

> I have observed his face to be not the face of a true friend of the Republic. Let him take care of his face!

Madame Defarge claims Doctor Manette's expression shows he is not a loyal supporter of the Republic and warns him to be cautious.

_Foreshadows the danger to Doctor Manette from Madame Defarge's suspicion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xii-darkness
- 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