A Tale Of Two Cities Analysis Essay

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Set during the French Revolution, Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities remains one of the most influential books of the modern era. Within A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens provides an alternate social and political structure for society through the rehabilitation of Doctor Manette, the sacrifice of Sydney Carton, and the change that Charles Darnay undergoes.
One of the ways in which Dickens provides an alternate social and political structure for society is through the eventual rehabilitation of Doctor Manette. “So sunken and suppressed it was, that it was like a voice underground. So expressive it was, of a hopeless and lost creature, that a famished traveller, wearied out by lonely wandering in a wilderness, would have remembered home and friends in such a tone before lying down to die” (Dickens 29). In this quotation, Doctor Manette is shown as a weak and pale individual with little ambition or connection to the outside world. The analogy between Doctor Manette and a “weary traveller” as well as a “lost creature” serves to depict his seemingly hopeless situation. Further, the imagery used to depict the action of lying down to die represents Doctor Manette’s struggles and symbolic death as a result of his experiences while imprisoned in the Bastille. Through this characterization of Manette, Dickens is able to parallel the current political situation in both France and England. During the eighteenth century, the King was most commonly perceived as being the figurative father of the nation he ruled, thus presenting the idea of the King as a leader and protector. In the social structure that Dickens condemns, the King was perceived as being detached from the needs of the country and his subjects. This is shown primarily through the...

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...in aspects of society should also be receptive to change such as that of the political structure within France and England as well as the judicial system. Through Darnay’s representation of embracing change, Dickens supports that idea that such actions could benefit society and serve as a model for a more enlightened alternate political and social structure.
Throughout A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens presents a model for an alternate social and political structure within both France and England. Through the character of Doctor Manette, Dickens is able to present the concept of a social structure in which the King acts as a leader for society. Through Sydney Carton, Dickens presents the idea of compassion and unity within society. Finally, through the change that Charles Darnay undergoes, Dicken’s presents the concept of a society that embraces change.

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