# Mr. Cruncher — A Tale of Two Cities character guide

> Mr. Cruncher in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jerry, Jerry Cruncher, Mr. Jerry Cruncher, Mr. Jeremiah Cruncher, Sounding Mr. Cruncher

**First appearance:** 0004-ii-the-mail

## Snapshot

A Tellson's Bank messenger with rusty fingers and a night trade in fresh graves, whose boots and conscience are equally muddy.

## Who they are

Cruncher ferries errands and secrets between London and Soho, grumbling about his wife's 'flopping' prayers while slipping out at odd hours with a crowbar and a sack. He recognizes Solomon Pross in a Paris wine-shop and blurts a question that nearly undoes a spy's cover. His grubby, half-comic presence threads the bank, the Manettes, and the coming reckoning together.

## Relationships

### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette)

_social_

Cruncher is Tellson's bank messenger and occasional servant to the Manettes, with a gruff but loyal demeanor toward Lucie.

### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette)

_social_

Cruncher is Tellson's bank messenger and occasional servant to the Manettes, with a gruff but loyal demeanor toward Lucie.

### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette)

_social_

Cruncher is Tellson's bank messenger and occasional servant to the Manettes, with a gruff but loyal demeanor toward Lucie.

## In the story

### [The Mail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/ii-the-mail)

Jerry, the messenger, delivers a despatch to Mr. Lorry and is puzzled by the reply 'Recalled to Life.'

### [The Night Shadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iii-the-night-shadows)

Jerry Cruncher is the messenger riding back to Tellson's Bank, muttering about the message 'Recalled to Life' and showing a secretive, sinister demeanor.

### [Five Years Later](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/i-five-years-later)

Introduced as the odd-job man for Tellson's Bank, living in Hanging-sword-alley with his wife and son. He is superstitious and angry at his wife for praying, which he believes brings him bad luck.

### [A Sight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/ii-a-sight)

Delivers a note to Mr. Lorry in court, observes the proceedings with a beery breath, and learns the details of the treason case.

### [A Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iii-a-disappointment)

Messenger for Tellson's; waits for the verdict and carries the word 'Acquitted' back to the bank.

### [XIV: The Honest Tradesman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xiv-the-honest-tradesman)

Observes the funeral of Roger Cly, suspects his wife of praying, and prepares for his work as a Resurrection-Man.

### [Drawn to the Loadstone Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xxiv-drawn-to-the-loadstone-rock)

Booted and equipped at the Bank door, ready to drive Mr. Lorry's carriage.

### [A Knock at the Door](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/vii-a-knock-at-the-door)

Now a daily retainer for the family, accompanies Miss Pross on marketing duties, and has his name added to the doorpost.

### [A Hand at Cards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/viii-a-hand-at-cards)

Accompanies Miss Pross and is astonished by the encounter with Barsad.

### [The Knitting Done](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xiv-the-knitting-done)

Assists Miss Pross in the escape plan; vows to give up his grave-robbing and stop interfering with his wife's 'flopping.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_cruncher
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters