Book III - Chapter X. The Substance of the Shadow Practice Quiz — A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Book III - Chapter X. The Substance of the Shadow
What is the document read at Darnay's second trial in Chapter 10?
A letter written by Dr. Alexandre Manette during his imprisonment in the Bastille, hidden in the chimney of his cell and later recovered by the Defarges.
In what year did Dr. Manette write his letter, and how long had he been imprisoned?
He wrote the letter in 1767, in the tenth year of his captivity. The events he describes occurred in December 1757.
Who summoned Dr. Manette to the country house in 1757?
Twin brothers from the Evrémonde family—later identified as the Marquis St. Evrémonde and his brother. They were armed and gave Manette no choice but to accompany them.
What words does the young woman repeat in her delirium?
"My husband, my father, and my brother!" followed by counting up to twelve, then "Hush!" This cycle repeats without variation.
What does the counting to twelve signify?
Her husband sobbed twelve times—once for each stroke of the noon bell—and then died. The twelve strokes of the bell became burned into her broken mind.
How did the young woman's husband die?
The Evrémondes harnessed him to a cart like a dog, kept him outdoors at night to quiet frogs, and worked him ceaselessly. He died of exhaustion on his wife's bosom, sobbing twelve times.
What happened to the peasant family's father?
His heart burst from grief when the boy brought home the news of his daughter's abduction. He never spoke again.
How did the peasant boy receive his fatal wound?
He tracked the younger Evrémonde brother to the country house and challenged him. The nobleman drew his sword, and the boy was mortally wounded in the fight.
What curse does the dying boy pronounce on the Evrémondes?
He summons them and their descendants "to the last of your bad race" to answer for their crimes, drawing a cross of blood in the air with his wounded finger.
What does Dr. Manette discover about the young woman's condition before she dies?
He discovers that she is pregnant—"one in whom the first expectations of being a mother have arisen.” This causes him to lose what little hope he had for her recovery.
Who is the "little Charles" mentioned in Dr. Manette's letter?
The two-to-three-year-old son of the Marquis St. Evrémonde's wife. He is the young Charles Darnay, the very man now on trial.
What did the Marquis's wife hope to accomplish by visiting Dr. Manette?
She wanted to find the surviving younger sister of the abused family, to show sympathy and make amends. She hoped to avert "the wrath of Heaven" from the Evrémonde house.
Who is Dr. Manette's young servant mentioned in the letter?
Ernest Defarge—the same Defarge who later becomes a leader of the Revolution and recovers Manette's letter from the Bastille.
How was Dr. Manette captured and imprisoned?
A man lured him out on a false medical call. Outside his house, a muffler was drawn over his mouth, his arms were pinioned, the Evrémonde brothers identified him, the Marquis burned his letter to the Minister, and he was taken to the Bastille.
What is the letter's final denunciation?
Manette denounces the Evrémondes and "their descendants, to the last of their race" to Heaven and earth, echoing the dying boy's curse.
What is the crowd's reaction when the letter's reading ends?
A terrible sound of "craving and eagerness that had nothing articulate in it but blood." The jury unanimously votes for death.
What bitter irony does Dickens highlight at the trial's conclusion?
The President praises Dr. Manette for "rooting out an obnoxious family of Aristocrats" and suggests he should feel joy in making his own daughter a widow and her child an orphan.
What does Madame Defarge say when the verdict is read?
"Much influence around him, has that Doctor? Save him now, my Doctor, save him!" She gloats that Manette's previous efforts to protect Darnay are now worthless.
How does this chapter connect Madame Defarge to the peasant family?
The dying boy mentions he took his younger sister to safety. Madame Defarge is that surviving younger sister, which explains her lifelong hatred of the Evrémondes.
What does the elder Evrémonde say when the young woman finally dies?
"At last she is dead?" and to his brother: "I congratulate you, my brother.” His callousness is complete.
Why does Dr. Manette refuse payment from the Evrémondes?
He is troubled by what he has witnessed. He lays the rouleau of gold on the table and says, "Under the circumstances, no.” This moral stand contributes to his imprisonment.
What emblem does Dr. Manette notice on the scarf binding the young woman?
The armorial bearings of a Noble and the letter "E"—standing for Evrémonde—embroidered on a fringed scarf used to restrain her.
What is the sentence passed on Darnay at the end of the chapter?
Death within twenty-four hours. He is condemned as "an Aristocrat, an enemy of the Republic, a notorious oppressor of the People" and sent back to the Conciergerie.