Book 2, Chapter 4: “Congratulatory” Title meaning: After Darney’s acquittal, he is congratulated by several characters.

Plot Summary: Dr. Manette and his daughter, Lucie, as well as Mr. Lorry, the solicitor for the defense, and the defense lawyer, Mr. Stryver, gathered around Mr. Charles Darnay, who had just been released. They all congratulated him on his escape from the death penalty. Darnay kisses Lucie's hand and thanks Mr. Stryver warmly. Carton approaches Mr. Lorry and the two men begin conversing about the case until Mr. Lorry leaves to return to Tellson's. Carton, who appears to be drunk, then insists to Darnay that the two men should have dinner. At dinner, Carton proceeds to drink even more, and he attempts to argue with Darnay. Carton asks Darnay if he thinks he is drunk, and Darnay says that he believes that Carton has been drinking. Carton tells him that he doesn't care for anyone on earth, and no one cares for him. Darnay replies that he is sorry at this, as Carton could have used his talents better. Darnay leaves, and Carton asks himself if he likes Darnay. He mutters that it has done him no good to talk to a young man who resembles him, and who reminds him of what he might have been. He admits to himself that he hates Darnay. He finishes his pint of wine and falls asleep at the table.

Literary Devices: Comic Relief: Dickens follows the high tension of trial with some comic lines about business exchanged between Carton and Lorry: “‘..I really don’t know that it is your business.’ ‘Business! Bless you, I have no business,’ said Mr. Carton. ‘It is a pity you have not, sir.’ ‘I think so, too.’ ‘If you had,’ pursued Mr. Lorry, ‘perhaps you would attend to it.’ ‘Lord love you, no!—I shouldn’t,’ said Mr. Carton” (82). Character Development: Dickens uses a variety of methods to show Sydney Carton is a character with many flaws, who has wasted his life. The way he stares at the ceiling throughout the trail in chapter 3 is one example. Here is another from chapter 4: “ The bill being paid, Charles Darnay rose and wished him good night. Without returning the wish, Carton rose too, with something of a threat of defiance in his manner...” (85). Doubles: We again see an example of doubles, as Darnay and Carton look a lot alike, though they have led different lives. Carton says to himself: “Do you particularly like the man?” he muttered, at his own image; “why should you particularly like a man who resembles you? There is nothing in you to like; you know that” (85).

“It would have been difficult by a far brighter light, to recognise in Doctor Manette, intellectual of face and upright of bearing, the shoemaker of the garret in Paris. Yet, no one could have looked at him twice, without looking again: even though the opportunity of observation had not extended to the mournful cadence of his low grave voice, and to the abstraction that overclouded him fitfully, without any apparent reason. While one external cause, and that a reference to his long lingering agony, would always—as on the trial—evoke this condition from the depths of his soul, it was also in its nature to arise of itself, and to draw a gloom over him, as incomprehensible to those unacquainted with his story...” (80). Essential Quote