Jerry Cruncher In A Tale Of Two Cities

The Honest Tradesman
Crouching at the front of the graveyard gate amidst the eerie darkness, Young Jerry observed the ‘fishermen’ go to work, eager to see what his father had been up to all along. Young Jerry then witnessed his father digging up a dead body in order to sell to science. This depicted the mysterious attitude of his father Jerry Cruncher. Throughout the famous novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Jerry Cruncher, a grave-digger and messenger for Tellson's Bank, is seen doing many questionable things such as constantly yelling at his wife and child, and having a nightly odd job as a grave digger. Dickens uses Cruncher’s mysterious and suspicious actions to show his untrustworthy and aggressive demeanor as he develops

Jerry Cruncher is first introduced by Dickens as a porter for Tellson’s Bank. Before receiving his daily assignment, Cruncher intrusively condemns his wife after finding her praying again. “‘What!’ said Mr. Cruncher, looking out of bed for a boot. ‘You’re at it agin, are you?’”(Dickens 58). Along with this verbal reprimand, Cruncher also exhibited his physical aggressiveness towards his wife, as he “threw a boot at the woman as a third” (Dickens 58). Dickens also mentions that “It was a very muddy boot,” (Dickens 58) . This incredibly harsh punishment of his wife, which included throwing a muddy boot at her, illustrates Mr. Cruncher’s extremely aggressive demeanor, and provides the story with a dark, negative tone. Cruncher’s fiery attitude is also supported by how Dickens describes his temper, stating that “Mr. Cruncher’s temper was not all improved when he came to his breakfast. He resented Mrs. Cruncher's saying grace with particular animosity” (Dickens 59). As the story progresses, Cruncher is once again characterized as an aggressive figure as he and his son observed a funeral service. After Young Jerry

Cruncher serves as an aid in the mysterious tone of the story which is described in the above paragraphs which can contribute to one of the numerous reasons Dickens continues to include Cruncher in the novel. “Funerals had at all times a remarkable attraction for Mr. Cruncher; he always pricked up his senses, and became excited, when a funeral passed Tellson’s” (Dickens 155). Dickens showcases how Cruncher possesses a stranger and more peculiar persona through his actions and feelings and this can be seen in this quote. By displaying how excited Cruncher gets from funerals, one can infer that he is definitely a more mysterious and unusual character, which aids to the tone of the novel. Also, throughout the novel, Cruncher’s persona and actions can be seen to showcase other character’s true colors. For example, “He opened it in the light of the coach-lamp on that side, and read - first to himself and then aloud: ‘“Wait at Dover for Ma’amselle.” It’s not long, you see, guard. Jerry, say that my answer was. RECALLED TO LIFE.’” (Dickens 14) In the beginning of the book, the reader learns that Jerry Cruncher has a job as a messenger. This was one of the messages he was instructed to deliver, and this showcases how his actions serve as a major impact on other characters due to the fact that “Recalled to Life” is what the