Book II - Chapter VII. Monseigneur in Town Practice Quiz — A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Book II - Chapter VII. Monseigneur in Town
How many servants does Monseigneur require to serve his morning chocolate?
Four servants, all gorgeously decorated. One carries the pot, a second froths the chocolate, a third presents the napkin, and a fourth pours it out.
What phrase does Dickens use to describe the disconnect from reality among the aristocrats at Monseigneur's reception?
"The leprosy of unreality disfigured every human creature in attendance upon Monseigneur."
What is the "one unfailing talisman" that keeps the old social order in place, according to Dickens?
Dress. Even the common executioner must officiate "frizzled, powdered, in a gold-laced coat, pumps, and white silk stockings."
Why has Monseigneur allied himself with a Farmer-General?
Because Monseigneur is growing poor after generations of luxury. He married his sister off to the rich Farmer-General to gain access to his wealth, despite looking down on him socially.
What does the last guest at Monseigneur's reception say as he leaves?
"I devote you to the Devil!" He shakes snuff from his fingers as if shaking dust from his feet and walks quietly downstairs.
Describe the physical appearance of the Marquis St. Evremonde.
About sixty years old, handsomely dressed, haughty, with "a face like a fine mask" of transparent paleness. His nostrils are slightly pinched, and when they dilate or change color, they give his face "a look of treachery, and cruelty."
How does the Marquis's coachman drive through the streets of Paris?
Recklessly, "as if he were charging an enemy," with "inhuman abandonment of consideration." Women scream and men clutch children out of the way.
What happens at the street corner by the fountain?
The Marquis's carriage runs over and kills a small child. The father, Gaspard, retrieves the body and lays it on the base of the fountain, howling with grief.
What is the Marquis's reaction to the child's death?
He shows no remorse. He blames the poor for not keeping out of the way, worries about injury to his horses, and throws a gold coin at the father as compensation.
Who is Gaspard?
The father of the child killed by the Marquis's carriage. He is described as "a tall man in a nightcap" who howls over the child's body "like a wild animal."
What does Defarge say to console Gaspard?
"It is better for the poor little plaything to die so, than to live. It has died in a moment without pain. Could it have lived an hour as happily?"
What is Defarge's trade?
He is a vendor (seller) of wine. When the Marquis asks his trade, he replies: "Monsieur the Marquis, vendor of wine."
What act of defiance occurs after the Marquis throws a second gold coin?
Someone throws the coin back into the carriage. The Marquis is enraged and demands to know who threw it.
What does the Marquis threaten after the coin is thrown back?
"I would ride over any of you very willingly, and exterminate you from the earth."
Who is the "dark stout woman, knitting" at the end of the chapter?
Madame Defarge. She is the only person who dares to look the Marquis in the face. Her knitting records the names of those marked for revolutionary vengeance.
Why is Madame Defarge's knitting significant?
It is a coded register of the names of aristocrats condemned to die during the Revolution. The chapter's final image of her knitting "with the steadfastness of Fate" links her to the Greek Fates who control human destiny.
What does Dickens compare the common people to throughout the chapter?
Rats. The Marquis surveys them "as if they had been mere rats come out of their holes," and the chapter ends with "the rats were sleeping close together in their dark holes again."
What are the Convulsionists in this chapter?
A "fantastic sect" of people at Monseigneur's reception who, sensing something is wrong with society, respond by foaming, raging, roaring, and turning cataleptic—a useless, eccentric response to real social problems.
What is the "Centre of Truth" sect?
Another group at the reception who believe Man has fallen out of the "Centre of Truth" and can be pushed back into it by fasting and seeing spirits. Dickens treats them as equally absurd as the Convulsionists.
How does Dickens describe motherhood among the aristocratic women?
He says it does not exist. "Except for the mere act of bringing a troublesome creature into this world," there is "no such thing known to the fashion." Peasant women raise the aristocrats' children.
What does the Marquis's altered biblical text reveal about the aristocracy?
Monseigneur's motto is "The earth and the fulness thereof are mine, saith Monseigneur"—changing "the Lord" to "Monseigneur." It reveals the aristocracy's belief that they are entitled to everything, placing themselves in God's role.
What is the Fancy Ball metaphor?
Dickens describes all of aristocratic society as a "Fancy Ball that was never to leave off"—a costume party in which everyone plays a role, disconnected from reality, from the Palace of the Tuileries down to the executioner.