Sunday, February 2, 2014

In Book the Third of A Tale of Two Cities, what new laws in France does Charles learn about during his journey to Paris?

As Charles Darnay embarks on his valiant journey to Paris
to try and save his former servant, Gabelle, he very quickly realises that the French
Revolution has unleashed a situation characterised by chaos and insecurity. This is of
course reflected in the new laws that have been passed, completely reversing the
position of power that aristocrats formerly enjoyed and criminalising them. This is of
course illustrated when Darnay, with his escort, reaches the town of Beauvais and is
greeted by a crowd baying for his death. Darnay learns that a decree for seeling the
property of emigrants has been passed, and that this is one of many, as the postmaster
tells him:


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Everybody says it is but one of several, and that
there will be others--if there are not already--banishing all emigrants, and condemning
all to death who return. That is what he meant when he said your life was not your
own.



Thus Darnay learns that
he is entering a radically different country from the France that he formerly knew, and
that his position as an emigrant placed him in immense danger.

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