- interpose: intervene between parties
- jest: a thing said or done for amusement; a joke
- empathetic: showing empathy or ready comprehension of others' states
- turbulent: characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm
- implore: beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something
- vengeance: punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong
- monstrous: having the ugly or frightening appearance of a monster
- indifference: lack of interest, concern, or sympathy
- inveterate: having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change
- tumbril: an open cart that tilted backward to empty out its load, in particular one used to convey condemned prisoners to the guillotine during the French Revolution
Dickens' language in Book the Third intensifies the violence of the Revolution in hope that the reader will better understand the degree of the atrocities committed in this time period. For example, he describes how the guillotine became a popular theme for the jests, meaning it was a common subject for jokes. This shows that the people were not affected or sorry about the execution of thousands of people. Tumbrils, carts used to transport prisoners, carried "the day's wine to La Guillotine" (Dickens 367) aka the newest victims of the Revolution. This ritual was carried out most days almost as if the people were feeding the monster, the guillotine, in order to keep her satisfied. By bringing the guillotine to life as a bloodthirsty creature, it helps the reader relate to the fear that the guillotine instilled in those throughout France. By describing the manner in which laws were abused as monstrous, Dickens personifies the rebellion as a monster, ugly and terribly frightening. These words all paint a more complete picture of the events and ideas represented in Book the Third. The reader may not fully perceive the extremity intended if boring words such as "mean" or "bad" were used in place of words that more affectively expressed the scenes occurring.
Liz