Miss Defarge

She's back. Madame Therese Defarge, a character in the book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, worked the names of the condemned into her knitting as she sat near the ever-active revolutionary guillotines. But Dickens never described what Madame Defarge was knitting. As in the beloved first volume in this series, this book brings together a host of knitting (and weaving ) talent to imagine what their favorite fictional characters would knit and wear. From Tristan and Iseult to Jane Bennet to Miss Marple, characters from many of your most-loved classic books finally get the knitwear they deserve."

"Madame Defarge is one of Dickens''supreme villainesses. Her secret drives her to seek a revenge so strong that it ties her to the French revolution. In this short play, the main story of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities becomes the peripheral story to that of Madame Defarge and her single-minded revenge. As the full company gathers to speak Dickens' immortal lines "It was the best of times-it was the worst of times..." Madame Defarge is revealed in her husband's wine shop in the poorest district of Paris. From here her plots and machinations involve the innocent Lucie Manette and her father, Dr. Manette, returned to life after an 18-year imprisonment in the Bastille, and the heroic Charles Darnay and his wicked uncle, the Marquis St. Evremonde. Somehow they are all involved in Madame Defarge's secret, which is revealed in the climactic trial scene before the French tribunal-where the convicted are sent to La Guillotine. This hair-raising drama unfolds at a lightening pace and beautifully dramatizes the reasons the poor of France revolted. A myriad of interesting characters and a great ensemble opportunity play out this unusual slant on Dickens' classic novel."--Publisher's website.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on A Tale of Two Cities, you experience one of Charles Dickens's most important works as he recounts the horrors of the French Revolution in what amounts to a cautionary tale warning of the possibility of revolution in 18th-century England. From its first line ("It was the best of times, it was the worst of times") to its last ("It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known"), Dickens's novel of revolution, sacrifice, and redemption continues to captivate modern imaginations. Chapter summaries and commentaries lead you through Dickens's "Tale," and critical essays give you insight into the women of A Tale of Two Cities and the French Revolution. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of the main characters A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters A section on the life and background of Charles Dickens A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. Mr. Jarvis Lorry and Miss Lucie Manette travel to Saint Antoine, a suburb of Paris, and meet Monsieur Defarge and Madame Defarge. The Defarges operate a wine shop which they use to lead a clandestine band of revolutionaries; they refer to each other by the codename ""Jacques,"" which Charles Dickens drew from the Jacobins, an actual French revolutionary group. Monsieur Defarge was Dr. Manette's servant before his incarceration, and now takes care of him, so he takes them to see the doctor. Because of his long imprisonment, Dr. Manette entered a form of psychosis obsessed with making shoes, a trade he had learned while in prison. At first, he does not recognize his daughter; but he eventually compares her long golden hair with her mother's, a strand of which he found on his sleeve when he was incarcerated and kept, and notices their identical blue eye color...

The English writer and social critic Charles Dickens was the pre-eminent novelist of the Victorian era. His books created great fictional characters and left permanent marks on literature, popular culture, and socio-political commentary. The novels feature evocative depictions of London life and strong themes of morality and redemption. Dickens first published many of them in serialized form in magazines – a practice aimed at engaging broad audiences and increasing anticipation for later instalments. The present book consists of 15 of the novels – compiled in one volume with modernized language for improved accessibility, readability, and understandability. The main goal has been to make the writings more engaging and vivid while sticking to the original tones and settings of the books. In "A Christmas Carol" (1843), the miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge receives four ghostly visitors on Christmas Eve who teach him the value of kindness, generosity, and the Christmas spirit. Dickens set "A Tale of Two Cities" (1859) against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The novel explores themes of resurrection, justice, and sacrifice through the lives of characters caught between Paris and London. "Great Expectations" (1860-1861) is the story of young Pip's journey from poor orphan to person of substance. The novel explores themes of wealth and poverty, love and rejection, as Pip eventually realizes what is valuable in life. In "Oliver Twist" (1837-1839), a young orphan navigates the grim underworld of Victorian London, confronting thieves and villains as he seeks a true family and a better life. "David Copperfield" (1849-1850) is a semi-autobiographical novel detailing the life and adventures of David Copperfield, from his troubled childhood to his eventual success as a writer, highlighting the importance of perseverance and personal integrity. "Barnaby Rudge" (1841) is a historical novel set against the backdrop of the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots of 1780. The focus is on the simple-minded Barnaby Rudge and the chaos that engulfs London. "Bleak House" (1852-1853) is a satire centered on a long-running legal case (Jarndyce and Jarndyce) and its impact on individuals. The narrative is rich in mystery and character study. "Dombey and Son" (1848) tells the story of a wealthy and proud businessperson who values his son as an heir to his fortune over his daughter. Redemption and familial love prevail in the end. Dickens set "Hard Times" (1854) in the fictional heavy industrial Coketown. The novel criticizes "utilitarian" philosophy and general material conditions in the town through the lens of particular individuals and their interwoven lives. "Little Dorrit" (1855-1857) tells the story of Amy Dorrit – born and raised in debtor's prison – and her impact on those around her. Dickens criticizes the British establishment and the injustices of the debtor's prison system. "Martin Chuzzlewit" (1843-1844) is a satirical novel exploring the theme of selfishness. It follows the fortunes and misfortunes of young Martin as he learns the value of being selfless. "Nicholas Nickleby" (1838-1839) describes the adventures of a man as he seeks to support his mother and sister after his father's death. He faces assorted villains but also finds allies in Victorian England. "Our Mutual Friend" (1864-1865) is Dickens' last completed novel. It examines the lives of several characters linked by a deceased man's fortune and explores themes of wealth, social class, and human nature. "The Old Curiosity Shop" (1840-1841), tells the story of Nell Trent and her grandfather after a vicious loan shark destroys their lives. It features various characters, hardships, and criticisms of Victorian society's treatment of the poor and vulnerable. Finally, “The Pickwick Papers” (1836-1837) is about the comedic journey of Mr. Samuel Pickwick and his friends as they travel around England to explore its unique customs, characters, and landscapes. The novel is full of whimsical adventures and satirical episodes.