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Volume I, Chapter Six – The Shoemaker, Summary - A Tale of Two Cities | A Tale of Two Cities - Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels PDF Download

  • Defarge greets the white-haired shoemaker; he responds vaguely.
  • The very voice of Dr. Manette seems to have shriveled inside of him.
  • The lesson of this chapter, in case you haven’t guessed, is that prison is a very, very unhappy place.
  • Don’t go there.
  • We’re not kidding. Just look at Dr. Manette.
  • Defarge asks the doctor if he can bear a little more light in the room.
  • The doctor replies that he must bear it if Defarge chooses to open a window.
  • Apparently they’re not so into free will and choice and all that good stuff in prison.
  • We repeat: prison is bad.
  • It’s so bad, in fact, that Dr. Manette seems to think that he never left it.
  • Defarge introduces Mr. Lorry, but Dr. Manette seems to have forgotten him completely.
  • In fact, when he’s asked what his own name is, Dr. Manette replies, "One Hundred and Five, North Tower."
  • After an awkward pause, Mr. Lorry asks if Dr. Manette has been a shoemaker all his life.
  • The doctor replies that he actually learned how to make shoes in prison.
  • Flustered, Mr. Lorry asks if he remembers nothing about a banker from long ago.
  • For a moment, Dr. Manette thinks he remembers something…but it’s too far off, too long ago.
  • Lucie moves slowly forward. She stops in front of his workbench.
  • Startled, he asks who she is. Slowly, he reaches up and touches her golden hair.
  • (Sigh. It’s a tear-jerker, we promise you.)
  • He recognizes the hair…it’s her hair.
  • Slowly, he begins to remember. Lucie puts her arms around him and promises to tell him some other time who her mother and father were.
  • For now, though, she promises to take care of him.
  • France, she declares, is too wicked a country for them to stay in. They’ll return to England, where she can honor the man who is her father properly.
  • Dr. Manette begins to cry.
  • Relieved, Defarge and Mr. Lorry begin to prepare for the journey.
  • As they leave the room, Lucie asks her father if he remembers coming to this place. He doesn’t.
  • In fact, he doesn’t remember anything but being in prison. Everything after that is a blank.
  • As they pass through the gates of Paris, a guardsman asks for the doctor’s traveling papers.
  • Defarge whispers to him as he shows him the papers; the man looks in astonishment at the doctor.
  • Rolling away in the carriage, Mr. Lorry remembers again the conversation he imagined with a dead man. Does the doctor really want to be recalled to life?
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FAQs on Volume I, Chapter Six – The Shoemaker, Summary - A Tale of Two Cities - A Tale of Two Cities - Summary, Themes & Characters - Novels

1. What is the significance of the shoemaker in "A Tale of Two Cities"?
The shoemaker in "A Tale of Two Cities" symbolizes the struggles and sacrifices of the working class during the French Revolution. His character represents the common people who were oppressed and marginalized by the aristocracy. Through the shoemaker's story, the novel explores themes of inequality, injustice, and the power of the people to rise against oppression.
2. How does the shoemaker contribute to the plot of "A Tale of Two Cities"?
The shoemaker's role in the plot of "A Tale of Two Cities" is primarily seen through his transformation from a seemingly ordinary character to a symbol of resilience and revolution. As the novel progresses, the shoemaker's actions and involvement in the revolution become crucial in driving the narrative forward. His character serves as a catalyst for the uprising and adds depth to the themes of social inequality and justice in the story.
3. What is the shoemaker's relationship with the main characters in "A Tale of Two Cities"?
In "A Tale of Two Cities," the shoemaker's relationship with the main characters is primarily established through his connection with Lucie Manette and her father, Dr. Manette. The shoemaker, named Jacques, becomes a trusted ally and friend to the Manette family. His unwavering support and dedication to their cause further strengthen their bond, as they all strive for justice and fight against the oppressive regime.
4. How does the shoemaker's occupation reflect the themes of the novel?
The shoemaker's occupation reflects the themes of the novel by highlighting the stark contrast between the privileged aristocracy and the impoverished working class. The shoemaker, as a representative of the working class, embodies the struggles, hardships, and resilience of the common people during the French Revolution. His occupation serves as a metaphor for the larger socio-economic injustices prevalent during the time and underscores the novel's exploration of social inequality and the fight for equality.
5. What does the shoemaker's transformation signify in "A Tale of Two Cities"?
The shoemaker's transformation in "A Tale of Two Cities" signifies the power of individual agency and the potential for change. Initially portrayed as a simple and unremarkable character, the shoemaker evolves into a symbol of resistance and revolution. His transformation reflects the broader societal changes occurring during the French Revolution, as ordinary people rise up against oppression and fight for their rights. Through the shoemaker's journey, the novel emphasizes the transformative power of collective action and the possibility of overcoming adversity.
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