After reading · Part III · Chapter 15

Part III · Chapter 15A Far, Far Better Thing

Reading boundary Start: Along the Paris streets, the death-carts rumble, hollow and harsh. Stop after: it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

Summary

The six tumbrils travel through a city accustomed to execution. Dickens traces the Terror to oppression that has distorted humanity, while the crowd searches the carts for Evrémonde. The Vengeance is petulant and disappointed at Madame Defarge’s unexplained absence, but the executions proceed.

Carton comforts the seamstress, who hopes for reunion with a cousin in heaven. They kiss before her turn, and she dies calmly; Carton follows with a peaceful, prophetic expression. The narrator imagines his final thoughts: Defarge, the Vengeance, Barsad, Cly, the juryman, the judge, and the Terror’s institutions will perish; Paris will recover; and the rescued family will honour him. Lucie and Darnay will name a son after him, and that child will redeem Carton’s neglected professional promise. His death becomes, in the novel’s closing vision, a better deed and rest than he has ever known.

Who’s who

Sydney Carton — Faces execution in Darnay’s place with calm purpose.
The seamstress — Carton’s young companion, strengthened by his presence.
The Vengeance — Watches the carts, disappointed that Madame Defarge is absent.
The rescued family — Envisioned as safe, grateful, and faithful to Carton’s memory.