10. Several years pass in Chapter 21 and between Chapters 23 and 24. Why might Dickens have skipped over these years? How does the passing of time contribute to the larger effect of the novel?

We can only speculate as to Dickens's intentions. In Chapter 21 we are given pieces of information about Lucie's marriage to Charles Darnay. These years seem peaceful. Although there is always the threat of dark skies ahead, nothing too bad actually happens. Dickens might not have had too much to say about those years rather he could use the time as transition in the narrative. Similarly , Chapter 23 ends with France in turmoil but by Chapter 24, three years later, nothing substantial to the narrative has taken place.