Book the Second Chapter 7 Monseigneur in Town 1
The word monseigneur literally is used to personify French royalty (2 nd Estate) and the 1 st Estate (because monseigneur was often used to signify a bishop or an archbishop). 2
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Chapters seven and eight are partner chapters, much like chapters three and four of Book the Second, which are entitled A Disappointment and Congratulatory. Note the names of chapters seven and eight: Monseigneur in Town and Monseigneur in the Country. 4
As you read the first two paragraphs of chapter seven, examine the next slide, which is a diagram of the Solomon s Temple from the Old Testament. 5
Remember that in Ancient Judaism, Yahweh (God) dwelled within the Holy of Holies and that only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies one time a year to offer sacrifice (on the Day of Atonement Yom Kippur). The other priests could come into the Holy Place to offer sacrifice but no further. Dickens is creating satire here by having Monseigneur (a French Lord) play the role of God in the Holiest of Holiests with his worshippers bringing him chocolate. 6
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At the top of page 106, make sure you have noted the Biblical allusion: The earth and the fulness thereof are mine, saith Monseigneur. Psalm 24:1 (a Psalm of David) The earth is the LORD s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. In the context of the first few paragraphs of this chapter, make sure you understand what Dickens is saying about how Monseigneur (the aristocracy) perceives himself. 8
From pages 104 through 109, pay attention to Dickens satire of the French aristocracy ( Monseigneur ) particularly the extravagant wealth in their living quarters and their dress. (See the following slides for examples.) 9
Virtual Tour of the Palace at Versailles (built by Louis XIV, our Louis grandfather) http://paris.arounder.com/en/historic-building/chateaude-versailles 10
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Be sure to annotate each mention of scarecrows in this chapter and make sure you understand what Dickens is saying about them (cf. 23
At the bottom of page 109, we meet a key character: the Marquis St. Evremonde. Be sure to pay close attention to how he likes to have his carriage driven and to his outrageous arrogance. 24
Page 110 contains an extremely important plot development. Pay close attention to the wild rattle and clatter paragraph (and those immediately following). The tragedy that happens on pages 110 and 111 is key in understanding several plot developments. You might want to mark (at the top of p. 111) [a] tall man in a nightcap and remember where you ve seen this physical characterization before (pp. 29-30). 25
On page 113, be sure that you pay attention to Madame Defarge and what she is doing as she looks at the Marquis face. 26
Book the Second! Chapter Eight! Monseigneur in! the Country! 27
Be sure that you remember that Chapter Eight is a companion Chapter to Chapter Seven.! 28
Notice the setting at the beginning of Chapter Eight. Dickens has the crops reflect the characterization of the men and women who cultivated the crops.! 29
On page 114, the parenthetical clause in the first sentence of the first full paragraph is important. Be sure to infer what Dickens is implying about the carriage.! (NOTE: [F]agged up a steep hill is defined as exhaustedly climbed up a steep hill. )! 30
Note in the second full paragraph of page 114 that the person in the carriage is steeped in crimson.! Note that steeped means soaked in and crimson is the color of you guessed it blood. Be sure to interpret this as foreshadowing.! 31
On page 115, pay close attention to the characterization of the grizzled mender of the roads. He has appeared before and he will definitely appear again.! 32
Page 116 hold a significant clue. Pay close attention to what the mender of roads tells the Monsieur the Marquis about his carriage (and the unknown passenger).! 33
Chapter Eight ends with the Marquis expecting Monsieur Charles to arrive from England. Be sure you begin trying to piece together the puzzle of Dickens clues as to the relationship between Charles and the Marquis.! 34