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A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

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Student Question

Why do Miss Pross and Jarvis Lorry destroy Dr. Manette's shoemaking tools in A Tale of Two Cities?

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Miss Pross and Jarvis Lorry destroy Dr. Manette's shoemaking tools because they symbolize his past imprisonment and mental trauma. After a relapse, Dr. Manette begins shoemaking again, indicating his distress. Although initially reluctant, Dr. Manette agrees to their removal in Lucie's name, recognizing the tools as a reminder of fear. By destroying them, Miss Pross and Lorry aim to help him move beyond his traumatic past and ensure his mental recovery.

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On the morning of Lucie and Charles's wedding in Chapter XVIII of Book the Second of A Tale of Two Cities, Darnay goes to speak with Dr. Manette per their agreement in Chapter X.  Shortly thereafter, Darnay and the Doctor emerge, but it is a pale, albeit composed Manette that Mr. Lorry witnesses.

After the wedding, the Doctor, Mr. Lorry, and Miss Pross are left alone.  Mr. Lorry observes the old frightened and absent look upon his friend's visage; Manette's way of grasping his head and wandering away recalls to Mr. Lorry his first sight of the Doctor at the wine-shop. Shortly after Manette retires to his room, Miss Pross and Mr. Lorry hear the pounding of his hammer.  So, Mr. Lorry ascends to the room and calls to Manette, who does not recognize him; instead, he continues to fashion the lady's shoe on which he works.  Because of Manette's...

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reaction, Mr. Lorry determines that the Doctor requires rest.  He and Miss Pross devise a plan to ensure that he get this rest by writing to Lucie, who is on her honeymoon, that he has been called away professionally, and by telling others that the Doctor is not well.

After nine days of Manette's shoemaking during which Mr. Lorry has closely observed him and tried to draw him away from his tasks, Dr. Manette continues at his shoemaking in an even more skillful manner. However, on the next day, Mr. Lorry, who has fallen asleep during his vigil, awakens to find that Manette has put aside his tools and is reading by the window.  At first, Mr. Lorry begins to doubt himself, wondering if he has merely imagined that Dr. Manette was thus engaged?  But, then, after conferring with Miss Pross, Mr. Lorry is convinced of the reality of Manette's condition.  So, again Mr. Lorry speaks to Manette in his business-like third person, explaining that there has been a relapse in the man about whom he has earlier conferred with the doctor.  Dr. Manette confides,

"I believe...that there had been a strong and extraordinary revival of the train of thought and remembrance that was the first cause of the malady.  Some intense associations of a most distressing nature were vividly recalled, I think."

Further, he tells Mr. Lorry that he does not believe that anything other that the "one train of association" would renew the illness.  But, when Mr. Lorry suggests that the tools be removed, Manette explains that there is yet a sense of terror that the tools, which once were the only comfort to this man during his imprisonment, be removed.  Persistent, Mr. Lorry suggests that these tools are a reminder of the man's fear.  "I would not keep it."  Reluctantly, Dr. Manette agrees,

"In her name, then, let it e done; I sanction it.  But, I would not take it away while he was present....let him miss his old companion after an absence."

Therefore, he and Miss Pross determine on the fourteenth day while the Doctor visits Lucie and her husband that it is best to destroy the shoemaking tools, the reminder of Manette's imprisonment and torture.

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