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   mwestwood Teacher
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   In Book the First of "A Tale of Two Cities," Lucie and Mr. Lorry meet with Ernest DeFarge, the former manservant of Dr. Manette, who leads them up the stairs where vile apartments are.  As they reach the top, three Jacques are peering though the peep holes of the top apartment. This apartment, DeFarge keeps locks.

   At the sight of the three Jacques, Mr. Lorry asks, "Do you make a show of Monsieru Manette?"  DeFarge replies that he shows Manette to a chosen few, but he keeps the door locked.  When he does unlock it, DeFarge makes a great noise as a turnkey in a prison would.  After they enter the room, DeFarge again locks the door with a clanging of keys. He explains to Mr. Lorry and Lucie that he thinks it necessary "to turnn the key" because

   he [Manette] has lived so long, locked up, that he would be frightened--rave--tear himself to pieces--die--come to I know not what harm--if his door was left open.

   To Mr. Lorry's query, "Is it possible?"  DeFarge bitterly replies,

   'Yes.  and a beautiful world we live in, when it is possible, and when many other such things are possible, and not only possible, but done--done, see you!--under that sky there, every day.  Long live the Devil!  Let us go on.'

   Here, of course is foreshadowing of the ominous wrath of the Jacques that is forthcoming.  In addition, suggestions of the illness of Dr. Manette are indicated as the poor man has become institutionalized and lost his sanity into making shoes incessantly.

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   Posted by mwestwood on Monday September 21, 2009 at 5:31 PM