--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not often,\" said the second of the…" description: "\"“It is not often,\" said the second of the three, addressing Monsieur Defarge, \"that many of these miserable beasts know the taste of wine, or of anythi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c2/charles-dickens-34_death_it-is-not-often-said-the-second-of-the-t_2982987.jpg" --- # It is not often," said the second of the three, addressing… ![“It is not often," said the second of the three, addressing Monsieur Defarge, "that many of these miserable beasts know the taste of wine, or of anything but black bread and death. Is it not so, Jacques?” quote by Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c2/charles-dickens-34_death_it-is-not-often-said-the-second-of-the-t_2982987.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c2/charles-dickens-34_death_it-is-not-often-said-the-second-of-the-t_2982987.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c2/charles-dickens-34_death_it-is-not-often-said-the-second-of-the-t_2982987.jpg) > ““It is not often," said the second of the three, addressing Monsieur Defarge, "that many of these miserable beasts know the taste of wine, or of anything but black bread and death. Is it not so, Jacques?”” [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Characters discuss how poverty limits pleasure, noting only basic sustenance and death are common. **In simple terms:** Poverty restricts joy to basics. Key Takeaway Recognize privilege and help those in need. Themes poverty humanity survival compassion class Mood somber empathetic Type social literary When to use this quote - urban poverty - war - class struggle - human empathy Key Concepts social inequality human condition Questions to Reflect On - What does “black bread and death” symbolize? - How can society provide more than mere survival? A Different Perspective Simple comforts may be unattainable for many. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [“How goes it, Jacques?" said one of these three to Monsieur Defarge. "Is all the spilt wine swallowed?" 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