Book 1, Chapter 5 Summary

A large cask of wine, tumbling out of a cart, draws dozens of Parisians to stoop over the ground sipping the wine before it disappears into the cracks in the earth. This frantic scene typifies the deep poverty and hunger of the common people of France. Hunger is everywhere- on the baker's shelves, with their scanty stock and in the sausage-shops, where dead dogs passed for meat. Dickens now takes us to a wine-shop, owned by Jacques Defarge and attended also by his wife, Madame Defarge, a shrewd and powerful lady, who incessantly knits throughout her day. For life in Paris, there is a prosperous, gregarious place. Lorry and Lucie visit the shop. Lorry finally speaks privately with Defarge. He takes them to a dark garret. Upon approaching the door, Lucie becomes afraid. Finally, the door is opened, giving them their...