Chapter 2: La Force
Summary
Lucie and Dr. Manette burst into Mr. Lorry’s room in the Paris branch of
Tellson’s Bank. They tell him that the revolutionaries have imprisoned Charles and Mr. Lorry calms Lucie and she goes to rest in another room. Mr. Lorry informs Dr. Manette that the mob is butchering
prisoners in the La Force prison.
Dr. Manette is famous in that he has survived eighteen years in the Bastille
and has some influence over the revolutionaries so he leaves to try and save Darnay’s life.
Interpretation
The Doctor has almost a godlike reputation amongst the revolutionaries
because he has survived the ravages of the Bastille. His years as a prisoner have become a source of strength rather than weakness at this time.
Dickens describes the mob in the La Force prison as like savages and demons that work in an atmosphere of
‘gore and fire’.
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