Dickens Influence

Throughout the discussions of book 3 a recurring question has been; "Why would the Defarges want to imprison Darnay after they had scene the suffering Doctor Manette had to endure"?  This is a fair question to the reader of the first half of book 3.  It makes since that the Defarges would not want anyone else to have to go through the same pain that they watched Doctor Manette go through, but after advancing in book 3 one understands the Defarges point of view.  And one could even argue "Why wouldn’t the Defarges want to imprison Darnay after they had scene the suffering Doctor Manette had to endure".  This may seem harsh or upfront but the reality is that Dannay’s family had directly caused Doctor Manettes imprisonment; "I decided, that day, to write privately to the Minister, stating the nature of the two cases to which I had been summoned, and the place to which I had gone: in effect, stating all the circumstances. I knew what Court influence was, and what the immunities of the Nobles were, and I expected that the matter would never be heard of; but, I wished to relieve my own mind. I had kept the matter a profound secret, even from my wife; and this; too, I resolved to state in my letter. I had no apprehension whatever of my real danger; but I was conscious that there might be danger for others, if others were compromised by possessing the knowledge that I possessed" (335).  Doctor Manette was innocently tying to get the baffling experience off of his chest; little did he know it was leading to the end of his life as he once knew it. The Brothers who Doctor Manette had been working for somehow got a hold of this letter and were deeply angered.  These brothers are special because they are relatives of Darnay! This letter had such an impact on the brothers because it made their family look bad. the way the brothers acted upon the letter was sever and mercy less; "It brought me here, it brought me to my grave. When I was clear of the house, a black muffler was drawn tightly over my mouth from behind, and my arms were pinioned. The two brothers crossed the road from a dark corner, and identified me with a single gesture. The Marquis took from his pocket the letter I had written, showed it me, burnt it in the light of a lantern that was held, and extinguished the ashes with his foot. Not a word was spoken. I was brought here, I was brought to my living grave" (338).  These brothers did this to protect their family name, and also to exercise their power.  As Dickens says; "The two brothers crossed the road from a dark corner, and identified me with a single gesture", these brothers seem casual and calm about the situation clearly with out any sympathy for Doctor Manette's life.  

Its interesting how Dickens writes in a way that makes us quickly shift our own opinion on people due to Dickens words.  Up until now we have had more sympathy and respect for Darnay, and less for Carton.  We recently were against the Defarges due to their strict and unsympathetic ruling.   But this section has shifted all of our opinions.  Now the reader understand where the Defarnges stern rule is rooting from, and now the reader sides with them.  We also no longer think of Darnay as a respectable man because we know what his family is capable of.  And what they have done to Doctor Manette who is a character that Dickens has had us siding with from day one.  It is interesting how Dickens influences the reader so greatly and has such a way with pulling everything together.