Monseigneur In Town Essay

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In Charles Dickens’, A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens satirizes the character of Monseigneur, in “Monseigneur in Town.” (pg. 79-82) The passage comments on the absurdity of the stature of aristocrats, portraying them as false gods instead of people. The depiction of Monseigneur and the aristocratic society allows readers to realize the preposterousness of social status during this time, underscored by Dickens sarcastic commentary. Dickens uses biting humor to show the true character of Monseigneur. “Monseigneur was in his inner room, his sanctuary of sanctuaries, the Holiest of Holies to the crowd of worshippers.” (pg. 79) The allusion to the Holiest of Holies conveys Dickens point of the sheer superiority of Monseigneur. He believes he is godly …show more content…

“These golden fetters rang like precious little bells; and what with that ringing, and with the rustle of silk and brocade an fine linen, there was a flutter in the air that fanned Saint Antoine an his devouring hunger away.” (pg. 82) The aristocracy wore jewels, and expensive clothing like bells, in that they rang, or brought attention to the excessive amount of wealth and power they possessed. The bells rang loud enough to be heard in Saint Antoine, the poor area. Here Dickens is satirizing the wealthy and how they felt the need to “ring” their wealth so loud it could be heard all the way in St. Antoine. Sicken is drawing attention to the fact that the aristocracy cared only about themselves, ringing their bells so loud it drowned about the hunger that the commoners felt. The wealthy did not think twice about those that surrounded them, if one did not have status he or she was reduced to a scarecrow-- filled with straw and thought to be less than a person. “Such frizzling and powdering and sticking up of hair, such delicate complexions artificially preserved and mended… would surely keep anything going, for ever and

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