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| "When the tea table was done with, they all moved to one of the windows, and looked out into the heavy twilight. Lucie sat by her father; Darnay sat beside her; Carton leaned against a window. The curtains were long and white, and some of the thunder gusts that whirled into the corner, caught them up to the ceiling, and waved them like spectral wings" (117). I found that Dickens uses imagery in this quote to set the mood of the passage. I feel like there is kind of an "eerie" vibe going on here...I mean, it's twilight and it's storming. Maybe this is Dickens' foreshadowing that a storm is brewing (actually, it is, because this was from Chapter 6, and now there is this whole love square going on with Lucie and that is going to blow up sometime in the near future). Also, I love how he kind of puts Carton off to the side. He is not sitting with Darnay, Lucie, or Dr. Manette; he is just standing off to the side. It is just another example of his low esteem...and his jealousy (let's hope he doesn't jounce the limb). |
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"'I know that, as in her childhood she had no parent, so she is now devoted to you with all the constancy and fervor of her present years and character, united to the trustfulness and attachment of the early days in which you were lost to her...I know that when she is clinging to you, the hands of a baby, girl, and woman, all in one, are round your neck'" (153).
I absolutely adore this quote, which is why I drew a picture of it. I find that it is so profound because it displays the love and affection Lucie has for her father and also characterizes Lucie. Think about it: a baby is so innocent because they lack knowledge and wisdom (there is no way for the baby to be corrupt), and then a child is innocent for the same reason. Now, Lucie is all grown up, yet she is still so innocent, which corresponds to how Carton and Stryver often call her a "golden doll." Dolls, while they are often so pretty and "perfect," they are also innocent because they have no knowledge or control over what they are doing; others control them. Dolls are also very fragile and break easily, which adds to their innocence. Maybe this is something we need to watch out for throughout the novel; is Lucie living in "A Doll's House" (ha ha ha), or will she escape just in time?
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3 comments:
Rachel, I really love the quotes you chose to depict here, especially the second one. The first one is still very meaningful; I didn't notice at first how Carton was standing off to one side, while the rest were together, but after seeing your drawing I realize the significance of this. I think it really does showcase his separation from not only them but society in general, how he is technically included but still a bit of an outcast.
And I don't know if he'd be likely to be climbing any trees with Darnay, but he could also push him in front of an oncoming carriage.
The second drawing is particularly lovely and I really like the way you portrayed this particular quote. The relationship between Lucie and her father is a focal point of the novel thus far, and I think it will be important to see how it develops over time. Lucie's innocence is also one of the most important facets of her character, so I'm really happy you pulled that out and were able to depict it in such a creative way. Nicely done!
Rachel, your drawings are honestly so fantastic. Like katie said, the first one really emphasizes Carton's removal from society. Not only is he dresses differently than the others, but he is standing off to the side, as well. The entire drawing gives off an overall somber and depressing mood - between Charles and Lucie secretly holding hands, to the rain storm going on outside. The rain is not only symbolic of their sadness, but of another storm that is to come - the French Revolution.
The second one is my personal favorite! I love how you showed Lucie growing over time with Darnay. Dr Manette is definitely very jealous of how close Lucie and Darnay have become because of how much of her life he has missed out on when he was supposedly "dead". I think this might even be foreshadowing in a way because I always thought it was weird that Lucie was able to forgive and love her father so easily - you would expect her to be a little pissed after him ditching her for 18 years. Since their relationship is one of the main story lines of the novel, we may see Lucie and her father develop into a negative relationship as she grows closer to Charles.
Rachel! I noticed this quote also while I was reading, the impact of describing how many things Lucie and Dr. Manette find in each other with their strong newfound bond was really powerful. I thought this was really significant in Lucie's childhood without a father, and also a little more descriptions of Lucie's mother, as she previously has been spoken very little about. We know she looks similar to Lucie, and that her nurturing spirit now lies in both Miss Manette and Dr. Manette as they take care of one another. I wonder if such little details means that Lucie's mother is simply a minor character, or if she is a part of a mystery that has yet to be developed.
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