8. What story does Charles Darnay relay to the Manettes? What is Dr. Manette’s reactions?(A Tale of Two Cities, Book 4)

A story about a prisoner discretely leaving an instruction on the floor whilst in prison.

Dr Mannete was deeply troubled and startled by the story.

Explanation:

A couple of months after his acquittal from his trial in court, Charles Darnay decides to pay the Manettes a visit at their home in Soho, France.

Whilst discussing, Darnay related a story he heard on a recent trip to the Tower of London where a prisoner discretely left an instruction by writing the inscription 'D.I.G' on the floor of the prison house.

Charles Darnay went on to say that years later when the ground underneath the inscription 'D.I.G' was dug up, an old leather suitcase with the ashes of a letter was found.

Dr Manette did not receive the story very well. He was startled and his face became very pale as if he was not feeling well. Clearly, the story struck a wrong chord with him as it reminded him of events while he was imprisoned.

the tone of the passage is sympathetic to the forbidden love of romeo and juliet. the nurse plays a significant role in the play. she is responsible for making their meeting again possible. additionally, there is a sense of warning in the choice of words of the nurse. she seems to be authoritative when she calls romeo "scurvy knave", and at the same time the fact that she addresses to him as "sir" reflects respect. the nurse is "vexed", this word describes her confused state of mind. on the one hand, she finds romeo a fine and eloquent man, but on the other, it is thought that man's nature forces men to try to trick women.