Alphabet Soup Review

1. Alphabet Soup Review A Tale of Two Cities Book II, Chapters 1-3

2. Aggerwayter (1) • Jerry Cruncher’s nickname for his wife • “Aggerawayter,” is probably his version of “Aggravator,” since he believes that her “flopping” – her praying – has been interfering with his business as an “honest tradesman.”

3. Old Bailey (2) • Courthouse • Deadly inn-yard • People paid to see the “play”

4. Roger Cly (3) • “Faithful servant” to Charles Darnay • Found “lists” and important papers while arranging Darnay’s clothes • Allegedly saw Darnay show these lists to French gentlemen • Accused of stealing a mustard pot/teapot • Has known John Barsad for 7-8 years • Claims to be a true British subject

5. Charles Darnay (2) • Prisoner on trial for treason • Age: 25 • Handsome/gentleman like • Dressed in blackish grey • Long hair gathered in a ribbon • Pleads not guilty

6. “French Extraction” (3) • Charles Darnay is a native of France • Darnay needed to visit France to deal with private family business affairs • His attorney, Stryver, tries to explain that Darnay fell victim to Barsad and Cly while making the passages across the Channel on family business

7. A “Fascination” (2) • Charles Darnay fascinates the spectators in the court room • “All the human breath in the place, rolled at him, like a sea, or a wind, or a fire” (63)

8. George Washington (3) • Lucie testifies that Darnay mentioned in jest that George Washington will gain the same fame as King George III of England. • This caused quite a stir in the court room and offended the jury mambers and spectators

9. “A Handsome Man” (2) • Charles Darnay • “Well-grown” and “well-looking” • Young gentleman plainly dressed • Sunburnt cheek and dark eyes • Quiet and polite

10. “The triumphant perfection of Inconvenience” (1) • Dickens’ sarcasm towards Tellson’s Bank • “Very small, dark, incommodious” • Old fashioned and unchanging • Old, stubborn door • Dirty windows, musty money • Silverware stored in bathrooms; deeds stored in kitchens • “Interesting” employees • Tellson’s Bank takes many lives

11. John Barsad (3) • The “patriotic” witness – not reputable! • A “shady witness” later revealed to be a spy • Been in a debtor’s prison 5-6 times • Physically kicked for cheating at a dice game • “No motives but sheer patriotism? None whatever.” Rigggghhht.

12. “LiKe a compact suit of clothes…” (3) • Mr. Stryver “fits” Darnay’s case on the jury to try and show the flaws in the witnesses’ testimony • Mr. Attorney-General turns Stryver’s “clothes” inside out again to show how Barsad and Cly were reputable witnesses • The Lord (i.e. judge) turns the “clothes” inside out again to shape them into grave clothes for Darnay

13. Mr. Lorry’s Testimony • Is questioned about November, 1775 • Cannot tell if Darnay was a passenger on the carriage • Sees Darnay a few days later on a ship in France

14. Mirror (2) • Throws light on Darnay • Crowds of the wicked reflected in it • Symbolic?

15. “Tossing” Notes in court (3) • Carton, the man who stares at the ceiling, tosses Stryver a note • This note advises him to ask an unnamed star witness if he’s ever seen anyone who looks like the prisoner • This is a turning point in the case in Darnay’s favor

16. Muddy BoOts (1) • Jerry Cruncher comes home from the bank with clean boots; the boots are covered with clay in the morning • Boots connected with Jerry’s “domestic economy”

17. A “Pair of monkeys” (1) • Describes Jerry Cruncher and his son • Implies that they are very much alike in intelligence, manners, and work ethic • Young Jerry praises/admires his father

18. Quartering (2) • Jerry claims Darnay’s treason case is worthy of “quartering” as a punishment • Quartering = dismembering a body into 4 parts; implies this society is savage

19. Rusty fingers (1) • Young Jerry realizes his father’s fingers are always covered in rust • Rusty fingers/red eyes/muddy boots = major plot detail/character trait of Jerry revealed later • Relates to Jerry’s work as an “honest tradesman”

20. Mr. Stryver & Sydney Carton (3) • Mr. Stryver = Charles Darnay’s attorney; not a strong attorney • Sydney Carton = Stryver’s assistant; stares at the ceiling; reckless demeanor; disreputable look

21. Treason (2) • Charles Darnay’s crime • He has been charged with betraying England and our king by helping King Louis of France in the wars against England on many occasions. • He is charged with traveling between England and France and telling King Louis what forces we planned to send to Canada and North America

22. A grisly Urchin of twelve (1) • Refers to Jerry Cruncher’s son, young Jerry • Urchin = a mischievous boy

23. The Verdict (3) • Darnay is acquitted (not guilty) • “Recalled to life” NOW has meaning for Jerry

24. Witnesses (3) • John Barsad • Roger Cly • Jarvis Lorry • Lucie Manette • Doctor Manette • Unnamed Star Witness

25. An eXpressive forehead (2) • Refers to Lucie’s forehead • Forehead engrosses terror and pity towards the prisoner • People in the court noticed her expression and were touched by her

26. Mr. AttorneY-General • Attorney General = Prosecutor who represents England; tries to find Charles Darnay guilty of treason • Solicitor General = Attorney General’s assistant

27. Blue flies BuZzing (3) • Metaphor for the spectators/jury members in court • Refers to the sounds/discussions made after key moments in Darnay’s trial • Flies are interested in fresh meat; search for other “carrion” at the end of the chapter