A Tale of Two Cities The novel “A Tale of Two Cities” presented the rising conflict between the classes in France. Charles Dickens was able to incorporate many motifs during the story, one of the main ones being doubles. The motif allowed Dickens to tell the story from the aristocracy perspective and the people’s perspective by constantly going back in forth between England and France. Throughout the novel, Dickens described both the obscene excesses of the aristocracy and the people during the revolution.
Imagine going on social media and seeing two pictures, one of Hitler and one of Donald Trump. The viewer would then have to compare the images. Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a novel that focuses on the events in France and England, more the French Revolution. In the book, it focuses at one point on two specific characters, Carton and Stryver. Charles Dickens uses imagery to describe them and imply things about the two men.
Erik Larson writes “Beneath the gore and smoke and loom, this book is about the evanescence of life, and why some men choose to fill their brief allotment of time engaging in the impossible, others in the manufacture of sorrow”(Larson xi). In the book The Devil and the White City, Erik Larson tells a story of 2 very determined men, Daniel Burnham and H. Holmes, using their talents and determination to create good results, but also bad results; one being a very successful and good spirited architect, the other being a witty evil serial killer. It reveals how in every good act or intention, there is some kind of evil, and also the other way around. Erik Larson explores the underlying difference between good and evil, while telling 2 tales of Daniel Burnham, and Henry H. Holmes Daniel Burnham and Henry H. Holmes are alike in many ways, as explored throughout the novel. Both of these men used their determination and skills to accomplish many things, good or bad.
A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens, surrounds the cities of Paris and London during the late 1700’s. The novel takes place during the French Revolution, a period of social and political upheaval in France and England. While peasants died in the streets from hunger, aristocrats had more money and power than they knew what to do with. A Tale of Two Cities describes, in detail, the poverty of the time period, as well as the struggle of a people able to overcome oppression. The novel is largely based off of occurrences Dickens experienced during his childhood.
“A Tale of Two Cities” prove this point. We must forgive our enemies and right our past wrongdoings just like Dr. Manette and Charles Darnay did. “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens tells a tale about the French Revolution through the lives of everyday citizens. The narrative takes place in London and Paris, as characters journey to fulfill their callings. Charles Darnay, a French nobleman, was arrested due to his aristocratic family’s crimes.
A Meaningful Bad Life Sacrifice. Giving something up for the sake of something else. In Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, many characters make small sacrifices throughout the novel. However, Sydney Carton’s sacrifice is one that is set apart from any other. In the final chapters of the novel, Carton makes the ultimate decision to trade spots with Charles, a desired victim of the guillotine, which leads to his death.
Christian Symbology in A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities is about London and Paris during the French Revolution. Dickens himself was born to Anglican parents and throughout his childhood was said to have attended services at a Baptist church. Charles Dickens uses Christian themes from his upbringing and knowledge about Christianity to explain his political viewpoint of the French Revolution in the novel. Charles Dickens used Christian symbology to illustrate Sydney Carton’s death and resurrection in Paris, Hell, in comparison to London as Heaven.
Often, people make sacrifices in order to become someone’s hero or become their own hero. One who read The Tale of Two Cities might believe that Madame Defarge and Carton’s sacrifices were selfless because other people benefitted from them a great deal. One might begin to think this because Carton’s sacrifice, when not looked at carefully, might appear selfless. In the novel, when Carton is confessing his love to her, he foreshadows the sacrifice he will give for her in saying, “For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything. If my career were of that better kind that there was any opportunity or capacity of sacrifice in it, I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you” (117).
In A Tale of Two Cities the author, Charles Dickens, reveals this truth that spiritual lives of all people depend upon the hope of renewal through the events of the murder of the Monseigneur, the killing of Madame Defarge, and the Storming of the Bastille to illustrate the theme “Without hope, people lose what makes them human and resort to violence and cruelty.” The murder
Stone, stone, stone, hunger, hunger, hunger, death, death, death. Figurative language is constantly being used in Charles Dickens´s classic read, A Tale of Two Cities, however, the most noticeable literary device is his use of repetition. Repeating words like these are written in virtually every chapter in his book, in countless settings, and in long unpausing paragraphs. They also regularly appear in settings that relate in an ominous and forbidding manner. After reading, it is found that Dickens uses repetition to emphasize his point and infer a deeper meaning to the reader.
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”.
Throughout A Tale of Two Cities, numerous examples of sacrifice on a personal and national level can be seen. For instance, the French peasants risk their lives in order to be free from their tyrannical government. Dr. Manette forfeits his freedom to keep his morality Charles Darnay leaves his heritage power so that he will not have to feel guilty of his family’s actions. Most importantly, Sydney Carton sacrifices himself to save the love of his life and everyone she loves as well as forgive humankind for their sins. In every case, Dickens suggests that although the process of sacrificing oneself is painful, one must do so in order to gain strength and happiness.
Tale of Two Cities was another one of Charles Dickens major novels. This book actually consists of three books. I found the excerpts below to be key to the book and the era. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.” (A Tale of Two Cities by Charles
“Patience is a virtue”. One quality which many people don’t have or appreciate. The instant gratification within this day in age has enhanced the growing culture of being impatient, but Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, challenges those tendencies. A Tale of Two Cities rewards its readers for their patience. Dickens demonstrates the success from waiting, the lessons taught from reading full novels, and the positive outcome for those who to take time for things.
In A Tale of Two Cities there are many themes that are portrayed throughout the novel. It is very difficult to rate themes from most important to least important. Especially using the themes Love, revenge, sacrifice and justice. If I had to, I would put them in the order of sacrifice, love, revenge and then justice. 1.
