A Tale of Two Cities, Chapter 16 summary
Chapter 16 of 45 · Book 2: The Golden Thread · 16 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 16, the Defarges learn to recognize John Barsad, resist his attempts to uncover neighborhood discontent, and hear his claim that Miss Manette is marrying Charles Darnay. Madame Defarge records Barsad and Darnay in her knitting, while her husband worries about the danger this creates for Miss Manette’s husband.
What happens
- Near the Marquis’s chateau, hungry villagers imagine anger and vengeance appearing in the carved stone faces.
- Returning to Saint Antoine, the Defarges receive a spy’s description, and Madame urges patient preparation for vengeance.
- The next noon, Madame recognizes Barsad, pins on a warning rose, and knits while customers withdraw.
- Barsad fails to draw out complaints about Gaspard’s execution, but unsettles Defarge with news of Miss Manette’s intended marriage.
- After Barsad leaves, Madame confirms that both he and Darnay appear in her record despite her husband’s concern.
- Madame circulates among knitting women, stirring their anger, while the narrator anticipates violence and executions.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Madame Defarge insists that preparation matters even without personally witnessing victory. Her certainty answers her husband’s impatience and reveals her commitment to vengeance.
Quick check
What happens when Madame Defarge pins the rose into her headpiece?
Cite this page
“A Tale of Two Cities, Chapter 16 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/pages/a-tale-of-two-cities-chapter-16-summary.
Library of Alexandria. (2026). A Tale of Two Cities, Chapter 16 summary. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/a-tale-of-two-cities-chapter-16-summary
“A Tale of Two Cities, Chapter 16 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/a-tale-of-two-cities-chapter-16-summary.
@misc{a_tale_of_two_cities_chapter_16_summary_2026,
title = {A Tale of Two Cities, Chapter 16 summary},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/a-tale-of-two-cities-chapter-16-summary}
}
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