An Analysis of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

649 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: critical analysis of the novel a tale of two cities

The book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a highly regarded piece of literature read by many people both young and old. It’s focused during the time period of the first French Revolution hitting key points such as the fall of the Bastille, the Reign of Terror and the September Massacres.

At the beginning of the book we meet Mr. Lorry, a worker at Teller’s Bank who receives a message from Jerry Cruncher. Mr. Lorry sends Cruncher back with the response “Recalled to Life” troubling Jerry. We later then learn about how Mr Lorry has been having dreams of people being buried for almost 18 years, and then being “recalled to life” and having a request to see a women. This brings up the topic of ressurection used currently throughout the book.

We are then taken to Paris, France, where a keg of red wine spills on the street with “...no drainage to carry off the wine...” so the poverty stricken ran towards the cobblestones drinking the mixture of alcohol and mud, feeding their children and themselves as much as possible. Due to the sanitation during that time period, along with the economic issues, if a keg of wine had spilled a scene much like this would have most likely taken place. Dickens also says that this takes place in the suburb of Saint Antoine, which was a revolutionary epicenter of the time and a manufacturing district foreshadowing our meeting of Dr. Manette.

Mr.Lorry then meets Lucie Manette, and he tells her that her seemingly deceased father is actually alive. They then go to find him in Saint Antoine meeting Mrs. Defarge, who addresses several people by Jacques meaning that they’re revolutionaries. This name was seemingly taken from the very real group the Jacobins. They lead them to Dr. Manette, who is busily m...

... middle of paper ...

...cie along with her daughter to finish the job. Carton overhears this and warns Lucie and Dr. Manette to run away. He helps Darnay escape and takes his place to be executed in a final act of his love toward Lucie. Madame Defarge tries to kill the remaining family, but ends up confronted by Miss Pross. Madame Defarge ends up accidentally shooting and killing herself. The book ends with Carton being guillotined.

A Tale of Two Cities is an intricate book filled with many more historical accuracies that can fit in an essay. The amount of characters and actions happening make it a seemingly interesting read, but the wording and density of the book in actuality, causes it to be rather dull and difficult to understand. I wouldn’t recommend it for high school level readers. Perhaps people who have gone through and graduated college have a better chance of appreciating it.

Show More
Related

  • Tale Of Two Cities Dialectical Journal

    2442 Words  | 5 Pages

    During the final event of the book, Carton sacrifices his life. He saves Darnays life purely for the happiness of Lucie. Carton drugs Darnay and Barsad takes him to the carriage outside where his family is waiting.

    Read More

  • Sacrifices of Love in 'A Tale of Two Cities'

    1634 Words  | 4 Pages

    The French Revolution was a time of chaos and uprising in France during the mid-19th century that divided the French people. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a novel that is set during this tumultuous time in history. During this period of time, the people of France made many sacrifices. Sacrifice is a common theme that is developed throughout this novel. One reason many people make sacrifices is for love, and throughout the novel this theme is developed through the characters Miss Pross, Doctor Alexandre Manette, and Sydney Carton.

    Read More

  • Heartlessness in the Face of Humanity

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    The French Revolution is a war between the peasants and the aristocrats. A Tale of Two Cities is by Charles Dickens and is set in England and France from 1775-1793. The French Revolution is starting to come about because the French peasants are trying to model their revolution after the American Revolution. King Louis XVI of France supported the colonists in the American Revolution; therefore, it is ironic that he does not help the poor, distressed, and oppressed peasants in France. The peasants are trying to rise against the oppressive aristocrats because the rich are unfeeling and mean towards the poor serfs. In A Tale of Two Cities, the symbols help represent the theme of man’s inhumanity toward his fellow man because the symbol of the scarecrows and birds of fine song and feather is helpful in understanding the differences between the poor and the rich, the Gorgon’s head is meaningful because it shows that change needs to occur, and the knitting is insightful because one learns that evil can come out of good intentions.

    Read More

  • Power and Corruption in Charles Dickens´ A Tale of Two Cities

    658 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the 1800s, the aristocracy of England and France lived in luxury and possessed an enormous amount of power in the society while peasants live in poverty. Dickens links the two countries with the theme of how history repeats itself. Dickens compares the social rankings, rulers, and events of the two countries and warns how if the English aristocracy did not change their ways, what happens in France would happen to them. In the novel, Dickens portrays the character, Monseigneur as an individual character as well as a social class of France. Monseigneur is a character who Dickens portrays as the entire class of the French aristocracy in the way of which he abuses his power. Dickens describes how the Monseigneur was having chocolate prepared for him by four men who are wearing gold watches as peasants were starving and dying. Dickens uses the actions of the Monseigneur to represent the entire population of the aristocrats in the city of St. Antoine. Another way in which Dickens shows how the Monseigneur was corrupt was how he appointed people to be officials not by their skill but by the way they would appraise him or by their status. Dickens foreshadows how France would become corrupt over time from the action...

    Read More

  • A Tale of Inhumanity

    751 Words  | 2 Pages

    A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, occurs in two cities, Paris and London, during the commencement of the French Revolution. Revolution is a major theme in this novel, which makes it one of his most gloomy stories. Dickens’ portrayal of the French Revolution proves the inhumanity of humans towards one another. Although the theme of revolution carries a dark tone, Dickens uses his expertise to include happy moments that lighten the story. A Tale of Two Cities incorporates the theme of inhumanity through many metaphors, such as “the great blue flies,” knitting, and the sea.

    Read More

  • The French Revolution: A Symbol of Injustice

    1590 Words  | 4 Pages

    The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval, lead by the lower class of France, which began the decline of powerful monarchies in France and the rise of nationalism and democracy. In A Tale Of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens, he highlights these aspects of the war between classes and makes them personal to the reader. Throughout the novel, Dickens’ establishes and develops several symbols in order to help the reader better understand the Revolution and the way people acted during this time. He shows that while emotion, desperation, and irrationality run high, humanity, justice, and morality are scarce. The blue flies, Madame Defarge’s knitting, and the sea are three of Dickens’ symbols that develop his theme of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man throughout the novel.

    Read More

  • Madame Defarge Essay

    804 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although Madame Defarge’s hatred is initially fixed solely on the Evrémondes brothers, the revolutionary atmosphere extends this hatred to Lucie and her family. Dickens portrays Madame Defarge’s enemies, the Darnays, as the protagonists of the novel by provoking sympathy from the audience. As a result of Madame Defarge’s struggle to deal with her family’s death, the conflict between the opposing forces arises. Originally, Madame Defarge’s goal was to bring justice to the guilty. Due to the rise in the Revolution, her motives become based more on executing cruelty without

    Read More

  • A Tale Of Two Cities

    2254 Words  | 5 Pages

    A Tale of Two Cities takes place in England and France, during the time of the French Revolution. A Tale of Two Cities is a classic novel, where Charles Dickens presents to the reader archetypal main characters. From the beginning of the novel, the reader can know whether the characters are evil or not. In the novel, the main character, Sydney Carton, also contributes a lot to the theme of the novel-every individual should have both moral and physical courage, and should be able to sacrifice everything in the name of love.

    Read More

  • Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    He now looked at things with a more positive attitude and a new personal strength was seen in his later actions. Carton’s final act in this novel shows what a brave man he was and how he acts upon his true love for Lucie. After the second arrest of Charles Darnay, Carton urges Dr. Manette to attempt to use his influence to free Charles. When Carton is speaking with little Lucie, Charles and Lucie’s daughter, she begs him to do something to save her father. After Carton leaves the Manette’s house, he devises a plan to switch places with Darnay.

    Read More

  • How Charles Dickens Shapes A Tale of Two Cities

    674 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... on the other hand is described in the court room as to be staring off at the ceiling with no type of attitude change which suggests that he is less concerned with himself and surroundings (Dickens 72) We are told that Carton does not keep up on his physical appearance which is complete opposite of Darnay who is well reserved and up kept. Even so Carton is the reason behind Darnay being acquitted since they look so alike, which suggests Carton is heroic. To Carton, Darnay is a representation of the life he could have had. They both are in love with Lucie Manette and are similar in many ways. Carton comes to Darnays rescue again in the novel when he is sentenced to death and takes Darnay’s place. This suggests that although Darnay is portrayed to be heroic, Carton is far more heroic since he risked his entire life to allow Darnay and his family to have a happy life.

    Read More

  • Tale Of Two Cities Metaphors Analysis

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a classic novel written in the 1850’s by Charles Dickens. The novel is set in London and France during the French Revolution. The novel features an amazing use of themes as well as sensational development of characters. Charles Dickens and his feature style of the poor character who does something great is very evident in Sydney Carton, a drunken lawyer who becomes the hero of the book.

    Read More

  • A Historical Interpretation of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

    1775 Words  | 4 Pages

    History has not only been important in our lives today, but it has also impacted the classic literature that we read. Charles Dickens has used history as an element of success in many of his works. This has been one of the keys to achievement in his career. Even though it may seem like it, Phillip Allingham lets us know that A Tale of Two Cities is not a history of the French Revolution. This is because no actual people from the time appear in the book (Allingham). Dickens has many different reasons for using the component of history in his novel. John Forster, a historian, tells us that one of these reasons is to advance the plot and to strengthen our understanding of the novel (27). Charles Dickens understood these strategies and could use them to his advantage.

    Read More

  • The Historical Context of A Tale of Two Cities

    2559 Words  | 6 Pages

    A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is a story set in the year 1775 and through the turbulent time of the French Revolution. It is of people living in love and betrayal, murder and joy, peril and safety, hate and fondness, misery and happiness, gentle actions and ferocious crowds. The novel surrounds a drunken man, Sydney Carton, who performs a heroic deed for his beloved, Lucie Manette, while Monsieur and Madame Defarge, ruthless revolutionaries, seek revenge against the nobles of France. Research suggests that through Dickens’ portrayal of the revolutionaries and nobles of the war, he gives accurate insight to the era of the Revolution.

    Read More

  • A Tale of Two Cities Book Report

    1471 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the beginning of the book, Jarvis Lorry and Miss Lucie Manette meet and travel together to rescue Lucie’s father, Doctor Manette. The book jumps ahead to a time when Lucie has revived her dad, and the two are witnessing a trial against Charles Darnay, who is accused of treason. Sydney Carton, a goofy drunkard, saves Darnay from being convicted. Charles’ uncle, Marquis Evremonde, is killed by Revolutionaries in France going by the name “Jacques”. A year later, the two men profess their love for Lucie, but she marries Charles. Charles then admits to Mr. Manette that he is the descendant of those who imprisoned him, and Mr. Manette has a breakdown, but quickly recovers. Darnay travels to Paris and is arrested for emigration by the Revolutionaries, to then be rescued and re-arrested for the wrongs of his father and uncle—who killed a man and raped a woman, then blamed Mr. Manette, causing his imprisonment—once he is free. Awaiting the death of her husband, Lucie waits sadly in an inn when Sydney hears Madame Defarge plotting to kill the daughter of Luce and Lucie herself. In a desperate act of love for his friends, Sydney plans a course of action to save his friends: he planned an escape from the inn for the Manettes via carriage, then he ...

    Read More

  • The Ferocity of the Peasants

    906 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the French Revolution, there were many controversies between the peasants and the aristocracy. In A Tale Of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, most of the peasants are revolutionaries fighting against their nobility. Dickens’ use of imagery throughout the novel tries to sway the reader’s opinions about the peasants. Charles Dickens depicts the French Revolution well with the images of the novel as well as the tone he uses. Throughout the novel, Dickens illustrates through his imagery how the peasants change from poor, secretive, and then on to vicious.

    Read More

More about An Analysis of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Open Document