Dickens presents the stark reality of the French Revolution through intense and dramatic scenes that highlight the oppression of common people and the grim spectacle of the bloodthirsty mob. Very few incidents provide relief from the overall gloomy and serious atmosphere, which touches all characters and relationships in the novel except for the comic relief provided by Jerry Cruncher.

1. MOOD
Dickenspresentsthe starkrealityof the revolutioninanintense,dramaticform, andthere are veryfew
incidentsthathelplightenthe grimness.Rightfromthe start,the tragedyof Dr. Manette seatedat his
shoemaker'sbenchdriveshome the horrorof hisexperience.The oppressionandmiseryof common
people are highlightedthroughaseriesof grimscenes.The bloodthirstymob,too,presentsadismal and
frighteningspectacle.Thisgloomyatmosphere touchesall charactersandrelationships.JerryCruncher
alone presentssome comicrelief toanotherwise darkandserious,historicnovel.
Somber-= very sad and serious
: having a dull or dark color
Grim-