A Tale of Two Cities Study Guide Question?

Question

Book the Second, Chapters 1-6

1. How does Dickens characterize Charles Darnay in Chapter 1? What hints in this chapter suggest that he will be developed as a romantic hero?

This is the only question I don't understand, can anyone help me out?

Answer 1

Charles Darnay is not in chapter 1 of the second book. That's all about Tellson's Bank and Jerry Cruncher and his family.

In chapter 2, you see the beginning of Charles Darnay's trial for treason.

Here is one description of him: "The object of all this staring and blaring, was a young man of about five-and-twenty, well-grown and well-looking, with a sunburnt cheek and a dark eye. His condition was that of a young gentleman. He was plainly dressed in black, or very dark grey, and his hair, which was long and dark, was gathered in a ribbon at the back of his neck; more to be out of his way than for ornament. As an emotion of the mind will express itself through any covering of the body, so the paleness which his situation engendered came through the brown upon his cheek, showing the soul to be stronger than the sun. He was otherwise quite self-possessed, bowed to the Judge, and stood quiet."

Classic setup for the romantic hero, don't you think? A false charge brought against an honorable man who is both handsome and rather elegant. He's also clever, polite, manly, a gentleman and more. The reader is attracted to him and has his attention completely drawn to him because of the false charge.

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