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A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

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Student Question

What is the significance of Dr. Manette's prison diary in A Tale of Two Cities?

Quick answer:

Dr. Manette's prison diary is crucial in A Tale of Two Cities as it reveals the crimes of the St. Evremondes, who raped a peasant woman and killed her brother. Manette's attempt to report these crimes led to his imprisonment. The diary, discovered by Defarge, condemns the Evremondes and their descendants, including Charles Darnay, who is sentenced to death as a result. This diary underscores the themes of injustice and vengeance in the novel.

Expert Answers

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Defarge tells how when he stormed the Bastille, he found in Manette's old cell a paper in Manette's hand in a crevice in the wall. He proceeds to read the paper. Manette's story dates to 1857 when he was summoned by two men, the twin St. Evremondes, to attend to a dying peasant woman and a dying, peasant boy, wounded fighting in her defense. The woman had been raped by the two men. They tried to pay Manette off, but he refused; when he tried to write to authorities regarding their case, they destroyed his letter and threatened to kidnap his wife. He then denounced them and their descendants (and thus Charles Darnay). Darnay is condemned to die within 24 hours.

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