Charles Dickens | A Tale of Two Cities | A Review
Charles Dickens’ ‘A Tale of Two Cities’-A Review
“A Tale of Two Cities” is a historical novel by Charles Dickens, published in 1859. It is set during the time leading up to and during the French Revolution and follows the stories of Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a drunken lawyer in London. The novel is widely regarded as one of Dickens’ best works and has become a classic of English literature.
Plot:
The novel is divided into three parts. The first part sets the stage for the novel and introduces the reader to the main characters. The second part takes place in Paris during the revolution, and the third part returns to London for the novel’s conclusion.
The novel begins with a famous line: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” The setting is London and Paris in the late 18th century. The story follows the lives of several characters, including Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who renounces his title and moves to England, and Sydney Carton, a dissolute lawyer who has fallen in love with Darnay’s wife, Lucie Manette. Lucie is the daughter of Dr. Manette, a French doctor who was imprisoned in the Bastille for many years and has only recently been released.
Darnay is accused of treason and is brought to trial in England, but is acquitted due to the efforts of his defense lawyer, Sydney Carton. Darnay returns to France to help a former servant, but is imprisoned during the revolution. He is saved from the guillotine by Carton, who sacrifices himself for Darnay’s safety.
Themes:
One of the central themes of the novel is the idea of resurrection. This is exemplified by the character of Dr. Manette, who is released from the Bastille and returns to life in society, and by Carton, who finds redemption through his selfless act of sacrifice.
Another important theme is the idea of sacrifice. This is demonstrated by Carton’s sacrifice for Darnay, and by the sacrifices made by the revolutionaries who fought for the rights of the common people.
The novel also explores the theme of class struggle, as the revolutionaries in France fight against the oppressive aristocracy, and the characters in England struggle to maintain their social status and wealth.
Style:
Dickens’ writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions and a strong sense of social justice. He often used humor to make serious points, and was known for his portrayal of social outcasts and marginalized groups.
One of the most famous aspects of “A Tale of Two Cities” is its opening lines, which are often cited as an example of Dickens’ ability to capture the essence of an era in a few words.
In conclusion, “A Tale of Two Cities” is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the struggle for social justice. Its memorable characters and vivid descriptions have made it a classic of English literature, and it remains a beloved and influential work to this day. 0 0 0.
Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities A Review
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Reviews of Charles Dickens’ Works‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works …
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