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¶ … Tale of Two Cities
The opening sentences of Charles Dickens's novel A Tale of Two Cities is famous because its writing draws the reader into the world depicted in the novel with gripping imagery and remarkable writing. The novel was written during a time of great change, and rather than just telling us "this story takes time during a period of great change," Dickens shows us all the conflicts going on. While the first image, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...," is the most well-known the first paragraph contains seven such opposites. While the writing is beautiful and well-crafted, the words say less than they seem: what does it mean to be the "best" or "worst" of times? Without the beautiful writing, the paragraph would open with a string of cliches.
Dickens then goes on to note other parallels, such...
The parallels, however, make important points about the two countries in which the story is set, England and France. They also serve to remind the reader of the great philosophical turmoil going on at the time. This was the Age of Enlightenment, a time that set not only philosophies but views about how people should be governed in opposition to each other. In such a time, the newer ways of thinking were diametrically opposed to what had come before it. The opposites in the opening of the book set the reader up to read about a period of turmoil and change.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" is true on several levels. For those who were moving into the growing middle class, it may have been the best of times, but for those who remained impoverished, life was still…
It was both "the epoch of belief" and "the epoch of incredulity." Some people remained devoted to religious beliefs, while others were openly questioning the nature not only of God but of existence itself. "The season of Light" and "the season of Darkness" may have referred to the stirrings of democracy, a shift that would bring great turmoil to France. France would not achieve democracy easily, and many people would suffer along the way. With all these changes going on, it was the spring of hope for those who embraced all the new changes, sometimes naively thinking that great ideas would be easily adopted, but the season of despair for many whose lives had no hope of improving.
Not surprisingly, the nature of the period with all its contradictions is reflected in the characters. For instance, Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay start out as opposites of each other. Other character opposites appear in the book as well, such as Lucie and Madame Defarge. Lucie is a loving, caring and compassionate person, while Madame Defarge is vengeful.
Tale of Two Cities was first published in 1859, so the time period of the story, 1775, was recent history. Literate people who read the book for the first time likely recognized all the cultural history encapsulated in Dickens's seemingly simple statements of contrast. They knew that first page set them up for a story about turmoil and struggle.
Sydney Carton, the infamous esquire with a personal life of ill repute, pulled the strings that led to acquittal, despite famous attorney Stryver's best attempts. Pointing out that he looked similar to the defendant, Carton was able to refute the prosecution's argument that the criminal was unmistakably Darnay. Much to the joy of himself and his associates, Darnay is now free. Jacques Strikes Again The latest in a string of murders
Tale of Two Cities Wealthy Aristocrat Stands Trial for Treason. Charles Darnay stands trial for the high crime of treason today at the Old Bailey Courthouse. Darnay is suspected of being a spy for the French monarchy, under direct orders from King Louis XVI. The Crown has accused Darnay of divulging top secret information regarding the war in the colonies. John Barsad, an agent of the Crown, is set to testify
He arguably represented some of the worst vices of humanity, and in saving innocent lives he demonstrates some of the best characteristics of humanity. His choosing to squander his ability and intellect by drinking to excess shows great foolishness, yet his decision to save his friends shows a degree of wisdom. It is also important to notice the religious implications of this quotation. The reference to the time of
Tale of Two Cities An Analysis of Duty and Sacrifice in Dickens' a Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens' 1859 A Tale of Two Cities deals with the dichotomous nature of man: the good and the bad, the selfish and the selfless. These two natures are observed in the two (ironically look-alike) characters, the dutiful Charles Darnay and the derelict Sydney Carton. Yet, just as the novel embodies a dichotomy, shown
He then goes to the guillotine in Darnay's placed, disguised as his friend, and acting with the assurance that it is a "far better" thing that he is doing than anything he has ever done before. 2. Political Themes: The Loss of Personal inside the Political Dickens uses characters, language, metaphor, and other literary elements in order to link his characters to the political themes in his book. It was been
Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and Reflections on the Revolution in France, by Edmund Burke. Specifically it will compare the two novels, answering the question: "Given that our two authors are English, what do Reflections on the Revolution in France and A Tale of Two Cities tell you about English attitudes towards revolution in general and the French Revolution in particular?" Both of these countries were in