Book 1 Overview
Book 1, titled Recalled to Life, is dedicated to introducing the characters and the setting. In chapter 1, we are introduced to the two places that the book takes place in: England and France. They are described using double sentences, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." England is described as being prosperous, and France being the opposite. This sets the stage for the tone of the whole book when the story takes us to either place. France is a hard and nasty place to live, where most of the bad things take place. England harbors good fortune and success.
Chapter 2 introduces us to banker Jarvis Lorry, and his assistant, Jerry Cruncher. Jerry has a message to deliver Lorry, and Dickens does some foreshadowing with Lorry's reply of "Recalled to life". Lorry then continues his carriage ride, which seems insignificant, but will play a role later in the book. We are then introduced to Miss Lucie Manette, and by the end of the chapter, we learn that her father, who she had thought was dead, had been found in the Bastille and is now being cared for by a servant in Paris. They set out to go retrieve him.
Chapter 5 is the first time the story is set in France. There is a casket of wine that spills out into the street. Many of the peasant people lick it up feverishly. One "joker" writes the word "blood" on the wall with the wine. This is more foreshadowing of the revolution that is to come, and that the blood will stain everyone, just as the wine did. Lorry and Manette are in a wine shop. The owner, Monsieur Defarge and his wife own the wine shop. There is a conversation between Defarge and his customers that introduces us to the peculiar way that they address each other as 'Jacques'. He then shows Lorry and Lucie to Dr. Manette, who is in a trance-like state while busily making shoes. Lucie attempts to make him recognize her during the emotional reunion, but he thinks she is his wife. Lorry and Lucie leave Paris, taking Dr. Manette with them. This is the end of Book 1. Continue to Book 2
Chapter 2 introduces us to banker Jarvis Lorry, and his assistant, Jerry Cruncher. Jerry has a message to deliver Lorry, and Dickens does some foreshadowing with Lorry's reply of "Recalled to life". Lorry then continues his carriage ride, which seems insignificant, but will play a role later in the book. We are then introduced to Miss Lucie Manette, and by the end of the chapter, we learn that her father, who she had thought was dead, had been found in the Bastille and is now being cared for by a servant in Paris. They set out to go retrieve him.
Chapter 5 is the first time the story is set in France. There is a casket of wine that spills out into the street. Many of the peasant people lick it up feverishly. One "joker" writes the word "blood" on the wall with the wine. This is more foreshadowing of the revolution that is to come, and that the blood will stain everyone, just as the wine did. Lorry and Manette are in a wine shop. The owner, Monsieur Defarge and his wife own the wine shop. There is a conversation between Defarge and his customers that introduces us to the peculiar way that they address each other as 'Jacques'. He then shows Lorry and Lucie to Dr. Manette, who is in a trance-like state while busily making shoes. Lucie attempts to make him recognize her during the emotional reunion, but he thinks she is his wife. Lorry and Lucie leave Paris, taking Dr. Manette with them. This is the end of Book 1. Continue to Book 2