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A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

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Student Question

Why don't they return to England immediately after Charles Darnay's release in Chapter 7 of Book the Third?

Quick answer:

After Charles Darnay's release, he and his family delay returning to England due to the turbulent and unstable atmosphere in the streets, reflecting the fickle nature of the revolutionary crowd. They fear Darnay could be rearrested, as the political climate is dangerous and unpredictable. Despite efforts to remain unnoticed, Darnay is rearrested due to being denounced by the Defarges, demonstrating the persistent threat posed by the revolutionary fervor.

Expert Answers

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In Charles Dickens's novel of doubles and parallels, images of crime and the justice system of both England and France pervade the narrative.  The fickle nature of juries is alluded to in this chapter as it was in the Chapter III of Book the Second during Darnay's trial in London. Now, in Chapter VII of Book the Third, although Darnay has been released from prison, the atmosphere in the streets is turbulent and unstable. Just as the fickle crowd can at one moment demand blood, then, in the next moment help Dr. Manette tend to the sick or hurt, so, too, the crowd releases Darnay, but he and his family worry that he can easily be arrested again.  For, the name of the residents are posted one the door.

"In the universal fear and distrust that darkened the time, all the usual harmless ways of life were changed."  The family makes every effort to attract as little attention as they can for fear that Darnay will be rearrested.  For instance, Miss Pross and Jerry Cruncher shop each day for only a few things.  With the fickleness of the crowds of revolution, it is "dangerous for Charles yet " to try to leave the country; he would probably be detained.  So, while Charles hopes that the attention given to him will subside, there is again a knocking at his door.  Rour rough men come for Citizen Evremonde, telling him he is again the prisoner of the Republic.  As fate would have it, Charles Darnay is rearrested because he has been denounced by Citizenness and Citizen Defarge.

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