A/L English Literature Made Easy - Novel: The track of a storm

Chapter 1 - In Secret

Before Darnay's arrival in Paris he is subjected to search at every point. His papers were examined at the barrier and he was ordered to be sent to prison at Laforce. Defarge, was the person who took Darnay to Laforce and coming to know about Darnay's marriage to Dr. Manette's daughter; Darnay remained bereft of sympathy from Defarge.

He was confined to his prison cell sighing for his wife and child. To the mob Darnay appeared as an aristocrat deserving execution. The important incident in this chapter is Darnay being conducted to Laforce by Defarge which is related to the plot. The little sympathy Defarge had for Darnay; was overtaken by his patriotism and stood as an obstacle.

Chapter 2 - the grind stone

In St. Germain, Paris stands, the Paris branch of Tellson's Bank. A huge grind stone had been brought by the revolutionists to the premises. Dr. Manette, Lucie and the little child have come in search of Darnay. As Dr. Manette had been a prisoner earlier he gets high applause from the audience promising to help him to get Darnay released.

This Chapter is a tremendous reflection of man's inhuman behaviour towards his own kind. In this chapter Dr. Manette's character seems to be highlighted and the title GRINDSTONE symbolizing the beastly behaviour pattern of human beings to their own kind promoting violence.

Chapter 3 - the shadow

Mr. Lorry confides in Jerry Cruncher of the responsibility of Lucie and Miss Pross Defarge brings a letter from Dr. Manette assuring the safety of Charles Darnay. Lucie's humble request made to Madame Defarge for help, is shattered as Madame Defarge's ardent desire for revenge stands supreme. The title of the chapter, Shadow stands as a metaphor.

Chapter 4 - calm in a storm

As Dr. Manette had been a prisoner of the Bastille, he was appointed, a visiting physician of the prison. Hence he was able to meet Darnay often and carried on his endeavour to get Darnay released.

The beheading of the king and The Queen and twenty two friends and the description of the guillotine are vividly portrayed in this Chapter and Calm in a storm may be a portrayal of the "calm efforts" of Dr. Manette inspire of the stormy atmosphere already existing in France.

Chapter 5 - the wood sawyer

The guillotine continued to be active for fifteen months. Lucie standing in a certain place in the street at about 3 p.m. for Darnay to see her, was noticed by a wood sawyer and vengeance dancing a devil dance followed by Madame Defarge noticed Lucie standing in the street sending flying kisses to Darnay. Thus Lucie too falling into the scheming net of Madame Defarge.

Chapter 6 - triumph

When Darnay was brought to trial there was Dr. Manette, Lucy, Mr Lorry, Madame Defarge, Defarge and an unruly crowd, important persons, five judges, the jury and the prosecutor. When Darnay was questioned he referred to Gabelle, and Dr. Manette as witnesses and that by his own decision he abandoned his title, his hereditary property and had gone to England to get a job. His marriage to Dr. Manette's daughter who is a citizen of France.

This made the onlookers to change their attitude to-wards Darnay and Dr. Manette's and Gabelle's confirming that the attitude of Darnay has always been for the good of the French People. The happy crowd carried Darnay on their shoulders. The absence of Defarges from the crowd is rather symbolic the title of the chapter TRIUMPH reflects how commoners behave and act on impulse as mobs used. n

Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.