Inhumanity towards Man

The French Revolution was an important insurrection in Europe’s history that rapidly accelerated to much bloodshed and despair. French class systems were highly enforced at this time period and nobility and clergy were unjustly put on a much higher pedestal than all other citizens. Between 1789 and 1799, French peasants band together in rebellion to overthrow those in power due to years of mistreatment, suppression, and economic frustration. In Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, he covers in great detail the many events inducing the beginning of the French Revolution and on into the years of the revolt, starting from 1775. He uses imagery and numerous symbols and themes, both subtle and clear cut. One important theme that Dickens introduces is man’s inhumanity toward his fellow man. Dickens successfully and cleverly depicts this theme with his meticulous use of symbols including birds of fine song and feather, knitting, and feasting on another man’s fate.

Birds of fine song and feather are one symbol repeated in A Tale of Two Cities. In the early part of the novel the narrator states, “But, the time was not come yet; and every wind that blew over France shook rags of the scarecrows in vain, for the birds, fine of song and feather, took no warning.” (Dickens 23). Here Dickens first compares the aristocracy to birds and the peasants to scarecrows. In this quote, Dickens is trying to make a point that change is upon France. The lower citizens are starved and desperate; this is something the nobles fail to notice as well as the wrong doings they commit, such as making the peasants inferior to the aristocracy. On one occasion, Dickens shows us insight into the nobles’ perspective of life at this time through the Mons...

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...use of Dickens’ clever use of knitting, birds of fine song and feather, and feasting on another man’s fate throughout his novel A Tale of Two Cities, he developed a very moving and informative story. Dickens saw faults in an event that was vital to Europe and France’s history and future. He elaborates and links each fault through his themes. Both the antagonistic classes commit acts of unjust humanity and foul treatment. These acts are seen through the guillotine, LaForce, the wine shop, and the peasants’ state of poverty. Each class lacks morals, sympathy, and heart when the pressure comes. At the end of the day, they both descend to the same levels, making neither of them better than the other. Charles Dickens habitually creates a great number of memorable symbols and characters to link with the messages that he wants to leave the reader with.