How Does Dickens Use Satire In A Tale Of Two Cities

Charles Dickens’ renowned novel titled A Tale of Two Cities presents a myriad of literary devices used to connect the reader to the plot. While many usages lay throughout the novel, the single most prominent is satire. Satire’s widespread presence places Dickens’ work on a podium of uniquity, and effectively exemplifies his perception of societal themes during the time period narrated. From start to finish lie themes intertwined with the use of satire, providing not only a value of entertainment, but a call for social reform. Dickens, for example, refers to the guillotine in a positive, satirical manner, deeming it “the best cure for headache” and how it “infallibly prevented the hair from turning grey” (Dickens 282). While technically true, Dickens intentionally portrays the guillotine’s effects from a revolutionary’s perspective, and further exaggerates it to create an obvious sense of satire.

However, not only does Dickens narrate in a satirical tone, but the characters within the novel tend to speak in a similar manner. After catching his wife praying supposedly against him, Jerry Cruncher vexedly complains that “[he’s] not a going to be made unlucky by [her] sneaking,” ironically emphasizing the “her” (Dickens 60). In actuality, Cruncher sneaks around during his furtive night job, grave digging, which makes the statement satirical coming from him. Cruncher seems to believe his grave digging is more respectable than his wife’s praying, and this blindness has begun taking a toll on his son, who, like Jerry, wants to become a “Resurrection-Man” as an