Timewaster's Guide Archive

Departments => Books => Topic started by: fuzzyoctopus on November 28, 2003, 09:28:39 PM

Title: Help with Literary References?
Post by: fuzzyoctopus on November 28, 2003, 09:28:39 PM
Has anyone studied 'Tale of Two Cities' recently and can confirm something for me.
In another book, (a completely unrelated one) I have marked a sentence where someone is talking to a woman but the woman "looked down at her knitting and said nothing."

For some reason I could swear there's something important in Tale of Two Cities that is similar to that (spies and such?) but it's been 5 yrs since I read it and I don't remember, and dont have a copy of the book.
Help?
Title: Re: Help with Literary References?
Post by: Lieutenant Kije on December 02, 2003, 07:51:58 PM
Yeah, it's been a while since I've read it, but you're right.  I don't have a copy of the book with me either, but can get it when I get home.

The woman knitting in Tale of Two Cities is the bad guy (actually bad gal, I guess) who is out to get everyone.  Turn them in and have them killed for the revolution and all that.  And she's always knitting, and her knitting has something to do with it all.  Madame Defarge is the name that comes to mind right now, but I'm probably wrong.
Title: Re: Help with Literary References?
Post by: fuzzyoctopus on December 02, 2003, 08:39:18 PM
Yes! Madame Defarge!

A few years ago I could have expounded on the symbolism of her knitting, but it's completely left my head.  This disturbs me because I know that someday all these HOURS AND HOURS of literature classes I have to take will mean nothing.

*sob*
Title: Re: Help with Literary References?
Post by: Lieutenant Kije on December 02, 2003, 08:41:49 PM
Do not despair!  Literature classes are just highly refined versions of timewasting.  You should be commended on your excellent taste and style.
Title: Re: Help with Literary References?
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on December 02, 2003, 08:58:05 PM
hear! hear!