Chapter 11: Dusk
Summary
Lucie is devastated at the verdict and the Doctor cries out in anguish,
wringing his hands in frustration. Lucie faints and Carton carries her to the waiting coach.
Back at their lodgings, young Lucie begs Carton to help her parents.
Lucie is still unconscious when Carton takes his leave by gently kissing her and saying ‘a life you love’. He also urges Dr. Manette to try and influence the judges one more time.
Interpretation
The courtroom scenes are full of Victorian melodrama and in this day and
age, they seem too sweet and the dialogue dated.
The exchanges between the characters seem almost comical, full of saccharine endearments and devout sentimentality. One wonders if Dickens is using some sort of comic relief, as recent events in the novel have been depressing.
Carton’s final statement to the unconscious Lucie ‘a life you love’ recalls
his previous words to her when he told her ‘there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you’.
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