Mr_Shank

Guys, I LOVE this book! Haha, what are your thoughts on it so far?

Anyway, there were three quotes that I had discovered. The first quote I believe may be important later in the story, or it could possibly be the theme/message of the story. This first quote is:
“It’s not over till you’re dead, kid. It’s all one big game” (18).
I believe that this quote signifies the fact that now that Denn had started, and gotten deeply involved, in his poker career, he will not be able to return to his normal lifestyle with his family again. This quote could also relate to the idea that many people say, “life is one big game”. My last thought on this quote is that since poker became so addicting for Denn, he will never be able to leave the game and begin a normal lifestyle because he will never be able to tear himself away from the game. What do you suggest this quote means?

Secondly, I came across this quotation:
“A guy that brings his relationship to the table is burnt toast” (21).
This quote brings up a lot of discussion and questions. First of all, Denn had fallen for a girl, a card dealer, named Cattie. Don’t you guys think that this was risky, anyway? Of course if something would go wrong with a relationship like those two would have, don’t you think if you were Denn you would never go to a table where she is dealing the cards ever again? Well, anyway Denn had, and Cattie seemed to cheat him out of a huge pot. Why do you think she did this? Did she do it on purpose? Was she paid by the other men at the table to do so?

Lastly, I found a quote that, quite frankly, means absolutely nothing to the story. Yet, I still thought it was funny and Shank-Class-Worthy
“Kid’s luckier’n a double-dicked rooster in a henhouse” (21).
The men playing poker say this about Denn as they watch his careful skills and his smart moves.
Haha, thought you guys might enjoy that.

Let me know what you guys are thinking about these. Also, why don’t we get good discussions going on under everyone’s blogs this time!

-Leah Sevco

“‘Five paces by four and a half, five paces by four and a half, five paces by four and a half. He made shoes, he made shoes, he made shoes. The ghosts that vanished when the wicket closed. There was one among them, the appearance of a lady dressed in black, who was leaning in the embrasure of a window, and she had a light shining upon her golden hair, and she looked like…Let us ride on again, for God’s sake, through the illuminated villages with the people all awake!…He made shoes, he made shoes, he made shoes…..Five paces by four and a half.’” Book 3, Chapter 1, pg. 199

This first quote I picked, because it seems to me to be at almost the meat of all the action.  But also it seems as Darnay is talking about Dr.Manette.  If so, why do you guys think so?  Also I’m not understanding why he is in a prison cell either.  Does anyone of you guys know?

I think that he i stalking about Dr.Manette because he is worried about Lucie.  If he were not to return for a long period of time they would be close, and that could possibly leave him out of the picture.  The only thing I get from him being in a cell, is for his treason case.  But to me I thought that was over and he was free.  What do you guys think of the prisoning of Darnay?

“I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.” Book 3, Chapter 9, pg. 244

This seems to be said by Darnay.But the thing about this is the resurrection of life.  Why would he say that?  Also it connects back to the beginning of the book with the title of Recalled to life, is this a coincidence?

I think he says this, because he is not guilty.  So he is saying that the Lord believes in him, so whoever else believes in him will live forever.  Which cannot happen, so he is saying that they will live a nice, happy life because they did not kill an innocent man.  They would have made a good deed.  What do you guys think of this idea?

“‘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.’” Book 3, Chapter 15, pg. 293

This quote is said by the Darnay in his head.  It is when he is explaining all of the people in the courtroom.  I don’t really understand it as well as I think I should, but what do you guys think it means?  Is he basically giving up hope?

I think that the quote means that he is giving up all hope, because another thought was that to tell the children my story.  I think that he going to be convicted, but at this point you never know, as that was the last sentence of the book.  Do you guys think I am right?

As the last question from this book, what was the meaning that you got that Charles was trying to put out?

I think that he wanted to inform us of how bad the times were back then, and how being found guilty can lose all hope in a mans life.  Also I think that he wanted to show us what true love is, and how there is always true happiness out there, just as Lucie found her father.  Explain your thoughts.

-Alex

When I read this quote it made me wonder a few things,

 “But, there were other echoes, from a distance, that rumbled menacingly in the corner all through this space of time. And it was now, about little Lucie’s sixth birthday, that they began to have an awful sound, as of a great storm in France with a dreadful sea rising.” Book 2, Chapter 21, pg. 209

I found that Charles Dickens uses a metaphor of a terrible storm to signal the awful fate of France and how the poor stormed the Bastille and the revolution has started.  Dickens also creates the sound of echoes that haunt Lucie in the night, what do you guys think this means? Fate is a common theme in this book, once things get going they are slowed down by something happening that shouldn’t have.  What else has happened in the book so far that involves fate, what do you think will happen next?

“There is no hard at all done. I have not proposed to the young lady, and, between ourselves, Iam by no means certain, on reflection, that i ever should have committed myself to that extent (pg.144).”

This is said by Mr. Stryver.  I find his thought process here very confusing.  First while working he tells Caton that he is going  to marry Lucie.  He seems to not even think about the matter much.  This may be because of the time period.  People might have thought that marriages were not important.  After this Stryver goes to Mr. Lorry to ask hi about his thought.  Mr. Lorry tells him that this is not a good idea and he should not give it much more thought.  This angers Stryver a lot.  To show Stryver that he is correct, Mr. Lorry goes to Lucie and askes about this topic.  Mr. Lorry goes back to Stryver with news that this marriage would not work out.  This does not anger Stryver at all.  The quote above eplais how Mr. Stryver feels.  This is the part that confuses me.  First, out of no where Mr. Stryver says that he will marry Lucie.  Than he seems mad when he is told that it wouldn’t work.  But later he doesn’t at being turned down.  We must ask ourself, why is Mr. Stryver thinking this way?  Why is he quick to make important desisions adout marriage?  Again, this could be because of the time period.  Mr. Stryver’s not being mad after hearing that the marriage is not in best interest may be him realizing that it was dumb to even think about or pursue.  I also wounder if this a way of the author showing us that the love between Darnay and Lucie is very possible.  Darnay tell Lucie’s father that he is in love with her.  Mr.Stryver being turned down is very important to keep this love a possibility between Darnay and Lucie.

-Julian Garcia