ipl-logo

How Does Dickens Use Metaphors In A Tale Of Two Cities

1463 Words6 Pages

Opposing Forces If a person were to go on any social media platform online and type into the search bar “#notmypresident”, millions of results would appear on screen. This trending media topic is a negative response of Donald Trump’s recent exaltation to Presidential Elect, which has caused an obvious divide among the people of the United States. While some citizens are celebrating over Trump’s victory online and off, people who are unhappy with the election results are afraid of devastating effects it could have on people of color, Muslims, and the general population of women. These outraged individuals are taking to the streets, to political offices, and to the press to protest his presidency. As average citizens challenge government authority …show more content…

A recurring metaphor in the novel is the comparison of natural elements to both sides of the French Revolution, “In such risings of fire and risings of sea- the firm earth shaken by the rushes of the angry ocean which had now no ebb, but was always on the flow, higher and higher, to the terror and wonder of the beholders on the shore” (180). Dickens manifests the uncontrollable rise of the Revolution, as he compares it to sea, swallowing the mighty fire, which reflects the aristocracy. Using a metaphor of opposing elements further develops the idea that a nation with people who conflict with one another will only wreak havoc on itself. Fire and water cannot coexist. In the presence of each other, water evaporates and fire extinguishes. Likewise, the people of France could not coexist because classism that put people against each other, causing death, devastation and terror. Even after a duration of the Revolution had played out, classism continued to deteriorate the country during Great Terror. The common people had overthrown their oppressive monarch, failed to stop any political unrest. This is seen through Madame Defarge’s discrimination of the higher-born people of France, “‘Then tell the Wind and Fire where to stop,’ returned the madame; but don’t tell me!”” (265). Dickens again employs elements to make a point about the forces of the revolution. Previously, fire had been used as a reflection of the aristocracy, wind is often an aid of fire. However, Madame Defarge is her own force, she is the driving influence for the new republic to ruthlessly and unjustly kill aristocrats, and those that are “suspected” of the going against the government. This behavior is similar to the previous oppressive regime that ruled France before the Revolution. The sole difference between the two political eras is the kind people that are being

Show More
Related
571 Words | 3 Pages

He was even-sided when describing the excesses of each class by telling the story from two separate sides and allowing the reader to realize how the revolution came about. Dickens portrayed the aristocracy to be shameless and morally corrupt.

Read More
853 Words | 4 Pages

Works Cited Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. Barnes and Noble Classics, Introduction and Notes by Gillen D’Arcy Wood. Charles Dickens. “EFFECTS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION ON FRANCE.”

Read More
293 Words | 2 Pages

In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens the passage that appears as a necessary part of the novel in order to understand the theme includes details that also contribute to the better understanding of the character. This passage acted as a description of Scrooge, how he presented himself, and the way people saw him. In the novel Dickens uses metaphors and alliteration to help the reader understand the Scrooge’s transformation throughout the novel. Dickens writes, “No warmth could warm, nor wintry weather chill him” when reading that, a reader thinks of Scrooge being in or around the warmest weather and still not able to warm himself, they may also picture him in the coldest weather and not freezing to death.

Read More
580 Words | 3 Pages

Dickens expresses an attitude of pity towards the peasantry of France, and is derisive towards the aristocracy. He conveys his feelings through repetition, tone, and syntax in the passage. These devices are used to foreshadow the animosity and anger of the oncoming revolution. Firstly, Dickens uses repetition to emphasize the living state of the common people in France.

Read More
668 Words | 3 Pages

Finally, Dickens uses good diction and word choice in this passage. He uses a mixture of negative and hopeful words in order to address the present and future of France. This entire passage is merely Charles Dickens contemplating the future of

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

“A Tale of Two Cities”, a famous historical fiction novel written by renowned English author Charles Dickens brings the reader to the late seventeen hundreds, taking place between the cities of London and Paris. Along the course of the story Dickens uses elements of literature and motifs to grasp the reader and emphasize situations. Dickens’ use of motifs help highlight character qualities, and establish the mood or setting of the story. His use of water throughout the story aids the reader in understanding and seeing where there is change or intense feelings. Water symbolizes change, rebirth, or can foreshadow future events.

Read More
1114 Words | 5 Pages

Once he married his wife, Lucie, and joined the Mannette family, he quickly found a joyful, fulfilling life in London. He soon became the father to a little girl who brought light into the quiet home. “Ever busily the winding golden thread that bound them all together, weaving the service of her happy influence through the tissue of all their lives…Lucie heard in the echoes of years none but friendly and soothing sounds. Her husband’s step was strong and prosperous among them; her father’s firm and equal.” (Dickens, p.162) Disturbingly, about the same time in France, the Revolution was mounting like a tight capsule about to burst.

Read More
312 Words | 2 Pages

In the novella, “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens, Charles Dickens uses literary devices by using, metaphor, foreshadowing and characterization.. “A Christmas Carol” is a type of that has a moral lesson at the end. It’s a story to teach us not to be greedy and appreciate the things in life that we have. The metaphor is being used in the novella when Charles Dickens turns the chapters into staves by creating a metaphor. “A Christmas Carol” is a metaphor itself in the title because A Christmas Carol means a song about Christmas that you sing in harmony.

Read More
1324 Words | 6 Pages

The novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a novel that was written during the French Revolution. Many people during this time were oppressed and were treated unfairly. Innocent civilians were getting charged for things that they did not do and were either killed instantly for it, thrown in prison for the rest of their life until they died, or even executed after they were thrown in prison. This takes place, to an extent, in the novel with Charles Darnay and then Sydney Carton. The story starts off with Jarvis Lorry travelling to Paris in order to reunite Dr. Manette, who is thought to be dead, with his daughter, Lucy, that he hasn't seen for 18 years.

Read More
955 Words | 4 Pages

In The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, the French Revolution is painted in contrasting shades of light and dark. Light represents the good in characters and the overall setting, while darkness is used to convey the increasing malice in France during the French revolution. As the novel continues, the darker elements of the book begin to show themselves in the main protagonists. The French revolution brings about “circumstantial darkness”, affecting the mentalities and behaviors of the participating characters to take drastic measures to protect themselves and the ones they love. The revolution affects Dr. Manette, Madame Defarge and Carton’s psyche, highlighting their inner “darkness”.

Read More
473 Words | 2 Pages

The reasons the people of France are so poor are “the tax for the state, the tax for the church, the tax for the lord, tax local and tax general, were to be paid here and to be paid there” (114). The rich keep taking what the poor do not have. The poor are sacrificing everything they have in order for the rich to have extremely luxurious lives. The rich have an opportunity to fix the disparity between the classes, and instead they make it worse to better their own lives. The view of the Marquis is “Repression is the only lasting philosophy.

Read More
888 Words | 4 Pages

Dark (1999) argues that ‘Dickens was a democrate who loved the poor and understood them, and it was natural that he should have regarded the road mender whom he would have loved, and not the philosopher who would have bored him to dead as the revolution drama’. He is referred as not only a humanistic novelist but also as a humanitarian in real life, for instance, he gives his support for the abolition of slavery in USA (Harper Collins, 2010). This support of those in need coupled with the events of his life especially the imprisonment of his father, can be seen as important contributors to the realist element of the novel and at the same time a true depiction of the Victorian

Read More
966 Words | 4 Pages

Oppression has always been prevalent throughout history, and as a response to this, the exploited often revolt, in turn, causing inciteful change. However, when the revolution only seeks revenge, it fosters more violence and creates a more oppressed society. The French Revolution while successful in the sense that it overthrew the government, has one dangerous aspect in common with oppression: violence. This revolution is depicted in A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens, where the persecuted peasants of France start a rebellion to try and achieve revenge government. However, by using violence as the primary method to abolish the government and boasting about the dominance of the revolution through the Carmagnole, the revolutionaries discredit themselves.

Read More
1553 Words | 7 Pages

Dickens reveeals the ultimate state of misery and defeat of a man caught in the throes of confinement , human loneliness and neglect

Read More
422 Words | 2 Pages

The French Revolution, a tempestuous social evolution that shook the foundations of Europe’s class structure, saw the unification of the peasants and the upper middle class against the aristocracy that, for centuries, had maintained a foothold on society. Although the Revolution achieved an ephemeral sort of success, it ultimately

Read More

More about How Does Dickens Use Metaphors In A Tale Of Two Cities

Open Document