Book II Chapter 18

“NINE DAYS”

Significance of Chapter Title

• “Nine days” refers to the amount of time Miss Pross and Mr. Lorry keep watch over Dr. Manette after his post-wedding mental breakdown. The story leaves off on the ninth day of the breakdown.

Characters• Mr. Lorry• Miss Pross• Lucie Manette• Charles Darnay• Dr. Manette

Summary• The aforementioned characters are all preparing themselves for the

wedding of Darnay and Lucie.• Mr. Lorry reflects on his relationship with Lucie and bringing her across the

English channel so many years ago.• Mr. Lorry assures Lucie that her father will be well taken care of while she

is on her honeymoon for a fortnight (14 days).• Dr. Manette emerges from a room with Darnay, looking “deadly pale”

(201).• After Lucie and Darnay leave, Miss Pross discovers Dr. Manette

shoemaking once again and unable to speak or communicate at all.• Lorry decides that Dr. Manette’s condition must be kept a secret from

Lucie, patients, and everyone else but himself and Miss Pross.• Dr. Manette makes shoes tirelessly throughout the night, with Lorry and

Pross taking shifts watching over him.

Literary Devices• Simile: “…dread had lately passed over him, like a cold wind” (201).~Dr. Manette’s feelings and emotions are compared to a cold wind after hearing Darnay’s secret.

Symbolism: “He doesn’t know me, and is making shoes!” (202).~Shoemaking symbolizes Dr. Manette’s psychological state and regression back to his prison days.~Manette focuses on making a lady’s walking shoe. Perhaps this symbolizes his daughter “walking” out of his life.

Allusion: “…and expressing in as many pleasant and natural ways as he could think of that it was a free place” (204).

~Referencing one of Dickens’ earlier works Little Dorrit. The main character, William Dorrit, collapses at a dinner party and believes himself to be back in prison. Dorrit dies shortly after this episode- what will become of Dr. Manette?

Essential Quote• “He had laid aside his coat and

waistcoat; his shirt was open at the throat, as it used to be when he did that work; and even the old haggard, faded surface of face had come back to him. He worked hard - impatiently – as if in some sense of having been interrupted”