Charles Dickens Notes

Title/Author: A Tale of Two Cities / Charles Dickens Date of Publication/Genre:1859 / Historical Fiction Biographical information about the author: Charles Dickens was (and remains) one of the most popular authors of all time. Many of his novels, including this one, has never gone out of print. He has been praised for his intricacy and realism.

Historical information on the period of publication:

This is a time post both French and American

revolution, although conflict still exists in France at this

time. Unification of Romania occurs in January. Origin

of Species published by Darwin. Slight political conflict

with Wales and Queensland in Great Britan. Harpers

Ferry event in the United States. Characteristics of the genre: In historical fiction, the events depicted in the novel may certainly be based on real life (such as the shoe making connection with the author in this novel), but it did not exactly happen. It is realistic, but not historical fact.

Setting (be as specific as you can be) & Plot Summary: The novel takes place, as the title suggests, in two cities and

their outskirts. These locations are London and Paris (although most of the novel takes place in Paris, rather than

London). This novel takes place before, during, and after the French revolution (during the Great Terror).

The novel starts out in 1775, where political issues are building up in England and France (the American revolution

in England's North American colonies, and the starvation and buildup to revolution in France). Mr. Lorry receives

a letter from Jerry Cruncher (a messenger) who stops his coach. The letter tells Mr. Lorry, who works with

Tellson's bank in London, to go to Dover, another town, where he is to wait for a young woman. He re...

... middle of paper ...

...name of the French revolutionaries. Here the plot beings

to intensify as the story moves ahead.

Fast forward another year, Charles asks Lucy's father for guidance. Then he asks to marry Lucy. At the same time,

Carton also professes his similar affection for Lucy. He does admit that he is almost worthless, but Lucy lightens

him up and gives him hope to be a better man. Jerry Cruncher goes to the cemetery in London and steals Roger

Cly's body (the body of a dead spy). In contrast, at the Wine Shop, Spy Barsad tries to uncover evidence of the

revolution. Madame Defarge knits a secret list of people who the revolution is going to try to kill.

Charles Darnay, on his wedding day, reveals his identity as a French Nobleman. The father then goes back into the

shoe-making routine for 9 nights. Mr. Lorry and Mrs. Pross (Mrs. Darnay's handmaiden) takes care of him during