Book THREE (Chapters 10-13)

In chapter 10, the letter that Dr. Manette wrote while he was imprisoned in the Bastille in 1757 was found in the chimney. It told of why he had been imprisoned. It said that two brothers that looked to him like they were twins ordered Dr. Manette into their carriage to care for a young woman and her brother. The woman had been raped and had a high fever, and the brother had been stabbed with a knife. As we, the readers, are told the Evermondes were the reason that Dr. Manette was imprisoned, and this is where that part comes into the novel. We discover that the two brothers that brought the Doctor into the carriage were the Marquis Evermonde and his brother, Darnay's uncle. His brother, who was also the man who ran over the child with his carriage, had raped the woman, killed her husband, and stabbed her brother, who also died. The young woman kept repeating the phrase "my husband, my father, and my brother!" and counting to twelve. Why did she always count to twelve? What was the significance of that? Did I miss something?
Dr. Manette in his attempt to save the young woman, was unable to. To me, this shows how many people of the higher class or the aristocrats always seem to think that they are better than everyone of any lower class like Darnay's uncle who was killed by the child's father. He raped the woman because he thought that he had a right to. How does anyone have a right to rape or kill or harm any other human being without any probable reason????
The day after all of this occurs, Darnay's mother, who is also the wife of the Marquis, came to Dr. Manette's house after his return home. She wants to find the sister of the young woman who was raped so that she can offer her help. Unfortunately, the Doctor does not know where the girl is because she was hiding from the Marquis. The following day, Dr. Manette is taken away and imprisoned for his eighteen years on the orders of the Marquis. This part showed me a lot about Darnay's mother and father. His father, the Marquis, was obviously a cruel man, but I don't understand why he had Dr. Manette put in prison. What ever happened to the Marquis? Did he die? This also showed me that there was quite a difference between Darnay's mother and Darnay's father. His mother was someone who wanted to help others, and she seemed to be a generous woman; whereas his father was what seemed to be the antithesis of his mother, at least that is the way it seemed to the reader. He was a ruthless man. Why did he have Dr. Manette put in prison anyways?
After hearing the story, the crowd and the jury react immediately by sentencing Darnay to death within the day (24 hours). What I didn't understand about his was that, why was Darnay being put to death for something that his father and his uncle did? I think that this is another incident where the crowd merely wants to see someone suffer and die for entertainment. They only put him to death for that reason because they did not have another.
In chapter 11, Darnay is taken back to his prison cell by John Barsad. Before he is imprisoned again, Barsad allows Lucie and Darnay a moment to embrace each other. This is what seems to be the last time that they will ever embrace. Darnay says, "Farewell, dear darling of my soul. My parting blessing on my love. We shall meet again, where the weary are at rest!" Then they both say their goodbyes, and Dr. Manette attempts to tell Darnay that he is sorry by getting down on his knees, but Darnay says that he need not to apologize. Instead, Darnay apologizes for everything that he was put through and says that he should not blame himself for the way the trial turned out. Then, as Darnay is being taken away by Barsad, Lucie faints. Carton carries Lucie back to the carriage and orders that she not be awakened. As he leaves, he kisses Lucie on the forehead and whispers to her "A life you love." What does this sentence mean? Does it mean that Carton is going to interfere with the death of Darnay by possibly having himself killed instead just so Lucie has the life she loves???
The last words of this chapter are spoken by Carton, "Yes. He will perish: there is no hope." as he walked with a settled step downstairs. I think that Carton only says this but does not believe it like Mr. Lorry and Dr. Manette believe it. They think that Darnay has no hope of living, whereas Carton does he just doesn't lead on to thinking that.
In chapter 12, Carton goes over to the Defarges' wine shop and, in an attempt to eavesdrop, fakes a French accent. Carton learns that Madame Defarge plans to accuse Lucie, little Lucie, and her father, Dr. Manette, of spying. I don't understand how one can accuse a little kid of spying. A little can't spy and know what they are doing. If they do know what they are doing, then they would probably be spying for someone else anyways. How is Madame Defarge going have proof and evidence of their spying? Carton also finds out that Madame Defarge is the surviving sister of the young woman that was raped and of the brother that was stabbed. Therefore, the reader now knows her reason for hating Darnay so much. Although I still don't understand why she would have a grudge on his family when Darnay had nothing to do with, it was his father and his uncle that killed her family. I think that Charles Dickens intended to have Madame Defarge as the antagonist.
After hearing this, Carton returns to Tellson's Bank where Mr. Lorry and Dr. Manette are. Dr. Manette is obviously becoming distressed because he begins asking for his shoemaking tools again, which he has not done in a long time. Carton also tells Mr. Lorry that he should get Lucie and her daughter ready to leave the city the following day because Madame Defarge plans on revealing that they are spies. Carton gets in the carriage to leave, but before he does so, he says goodbye to Lucie's window. I think that this is foreshadowing that he is going to die rather than Darnay.
In chapter 13, the title symbolizes the men and women that are condemned to die the next day along with Darnay. Darnay writes a letter to Lucie and Dr. Manette and Mr. Lorry. He writes that he is sorry for keeping his real identity secret and says that he did not know about his family's connection with Dr. Manette's imprisonment.
Soon after Darnay is finished writing his letter, Carton visits Darnay. Carton convinces Darnay to switch clothes with him and drugs him to put him to sleep. Barsad drags Darnay out of the cell, and Carton takes Darnay's place in the cell to be put to death. Carton is then taken to a waiting room where many other prisoners are awaiting the guillotine. Only one woman recognizes that Carton is not Darnay, but she does not say anything.
One the other side of town, a carriage takes Dr. Manette, Lucie, little Lucie, Mr. Lorry, and Darnay out of Paris.
By Carton taking Darnay's place, he is doing just what he told Lucie that he would do. He is helping her friends and her just like he said. He said that he would do anything for her or for any of her friends, and although Lucie did not tell her to do this, he knew it would be what she wanted.
Why does Carton drug Darnay? I think it is because Darnay would not go for Carton's idea of switching places, and he would think it was wrong. Darnay would say that it was his duty to die in his own place.