Tale Of Two Cities Literary Analysis

Revenge: A Dish Best Left Unserved The French Revolution, one of the most violent periods in the history of France, was rooted in the peasants’ hatred toward and desire to revolt against the aristocracy. Throughout the course of his novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens develops the theme of revenge through his characters and the choices they make. There are multiple instances where vengeance acts as the easiest solution to avenge a wrong inflicted upon a person by someone else. However, the characters neglect to take into account the harmful repercussions likely to ensue as a result of their reckless quest for satisfaction. Although feelings of revenge occur naturally in wronged victims, acting upon the impulse is never justified and

The first consequence of their long-awaited vengeance is reflected in the following dialogue between a Republican French immigration officer and Charles Darnay:
“You are consigned, Evremonde, to the prison of La Force.”
“Just Heaven! Under what law, and for what offence?”
“We have new laws, Evremonde, and new offences, since you were here” (Dickens 194).
As the officer checks Darnay’s papers, he asks Darnay about his citizenships and family, after which, without even stating which laws and offenses influence the decision, the officer declares that Darnay is to be imprisoned. He arrests Darnay under the decree that all aristocratic emigrants who return to France are to be executed; however, he does not inform Darnay of the reason before making the arrest. The incident shows the hypocrisy exhibited by the rebels who begin the French Revolution in an attempt to protest the injustices of the nobles, which include imprisoning and killing people without reason. Yet ironically, the rebels are likewise imprisoning and murdering the nobles. Secondly, as Lucie and Little Lucie stand under the window of Darnay’s prison, hoping for him to get a glimpse of them, they encounter