Wine
The wine shop of Madame Defarge and Monsieur Defarge symbolizes the center of revolutionary planning. In the novel, wine represents the potent force of the French Revolution. The revolutionaries, intoxicated with power, transform from freedom fighters into wild beasts on the streets, committing murders. The deep red color of the wine mirrors the red hue of blood, symbolizing the violence and bloodshed of the Revolution. Just as spilled wine covers the streets when the sailor fails to transport it properly, blood stains the streets after the Revolution.
Golden Thread and Knitting
The characters Lucie Manette and Madame Defarge are associated with the Fates, mythological goddesses controlling "threads" of destiny. Lucie is referred to as the "golden thread," symbolizing her role in connecting people and creating bonds. In contrast, Madame Defarge, constantly "knitting" in the novel, uses her knitting to symbolize separation, recording names in a mental register to divide individuals. The theme of human destiny is explored through these "Fate" characters, illustrating how history shapes the fate of individuals.
Guillotine
The guillotine is a powerful symbol in the novel, representing the machine designed for executing those sentenced to death during the French Revolution. It symbolizes the institutionalization of chaos created by the Revolution. The guillotine underscores the devaluation of human life, portraying murder as a simple and emotionless act. It stands as a grim reminder of the death of the ideals of the French Revolution: equality, fraternity, liberty, or death.
Footsteps and Shoes
Footsteps in the novel symbolize fate, particularly when Lucie Manette hears the footsteps of people entering the lives of the Manette family. These footsteps signify the interconnectedness of Lucie's fate with those around her. Dr. Manette, in his moments of madness, is portrayed making shoes, with shoes becoming a symbol of the inevitable past.
The Marquis
The character of the Marquis Evrémonde serves as an archetype representing wicked and corrupt social institutions. Exploiting the lives of peasants and displaying complete indifference to their suffering, the Marquis symbolizes the brutal aristocracy and the cruelty that fuels the peasants' rebellion against them.