1.

INTRODUCTION

In his novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens explores the social problem of injustice and poverty
in both France and England. However, he depicts England as a safe haven for those escaping the
violence of the French Revolution.

The novel suggests that the two cities, Paris and London, are the true protagonists, representing the
extremes of idealism and terror of the revolutionary period of the late 18th century.

Dickens’s focus on social justice is evident in his depiction of the unjust treatment of the lower class
and the unequal treatment of criminals. However, the unrest and injustices in France are far worse
than those in England.

Overall, A Tale of Two Cities is a powerful exploration of the social problems of injustice and poverty,
and their impact on the stability of England in the 1850s.

2. THE SYMBOLISM OF PERSONIFICATION IN A TALE OF TWO CITIES:

In his novels and stories, Dickens used the names of his characters to communicate important
information about them. He also used personification, a figure of speech in which human qualities
are given to non-human things, to create striking descriptions and moods.

For example, in A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens personifies time as a "powerful enchanter" who never
undoes the work he has done. He also personifies hunger as staring down from the chimneys of the
poor and rattling its dry bones.

Dickens used personification to create an eerie atmosphere in the novel, and to comment on the
lives and moral characters of his characters. For example, when he describes the castle of a cruel
noble as being "conscious of its own bad deeds", he is using personification to suggest that the castle
itself is judging the noble.

Dickens also used personification to create symbolic names for his characters. For example, the
name Lucie Manette, which comes from the Latin word for "light", suggests that she is a bright and
shining example to the other characters in the novel.

Overall, Dickens was a master of using language to create vivid and memorable characters and
settings. He used personification and other literary devices to bring his stories to life and to convey
his own unique perspective on the world.

3. THE PHYSICAL RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN DARNAY AND CARTON IN A TALE OF TWO

CITIES:

In A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens uses coincidences to explain the causes of the French Revolution and
to show that all elements of society are linked.
The most important coincidence in the novel is the physical resemblance between Charles Darnay
and Sydney Carton. This coincidence allows Carton to save Darnay's life by switching places with him
at the guillotine. This coincidence also symbolizes the interconnectedness of all members of society,
regardless of their social class.

Another important coincidence is the fact that Darnay is the nephew of the Marquis St. Evrémonde,
one of the most hated aristocrats in France. This coincidence leads to Darnay's arrest and trial for
treason. However, it also allows Carton to save Darnay's life again by sacrificing his own life. This
coincidence symbolizes the power of redemption and the possibility of overcoming even the most
difficult circumstances.

Finally, the discovery of Dr. Manette's journal is a coincidence that plays a pivotal role in the novel.
The journal reveals that Manette witnessed the Marquis St. Evrémonde committing a terrible crime,
and that he was imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years as a result. This coincidence leads to the
downfall of the Marquis and his family, and it also helps to explain the causes of the French
Revolution. Overall, Dickens's use of coincidences in A Tale of Two Cities is both symbolic and
thematic. The coincidences in the novel serve to show that all elements of society are linked, and
that even the most seemingly insignificant events can have a profound impact on the course of
history.

4. THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The French Revolution was caused by a number of factors, including economic, social, and political
problems. Economically, France was suffering from high bread prices, a bad harvest, and an
inadequate transportation system. Socially, French society was divided into three estates: the clergy,
the nobility, and the commoners. The clergy and nobility enjoyed many privileges, while the
commoners bore the brunt of the tax burden. Politically, the French monarchy was bankrupt and
unable to effectively govern the country.

The Revolution began in 1789 when the king called for an Estates-General, a meeting of
representatives from all three estates. The Third Estate (the commoners) demanded that the
Estates-General vote “by head” (with each representative having one vote), rather than “by order”
(with each estate having one vote). This would have given the Third Estate a majority in the Estates-
General. When the king refused to grant this demand, the Third Estate declared themselves the
National Assembly and began to draft a new constitution.

The Revolution quickly spread from Paris to the countryside. Peasants attacked lords’ manors and
destroyed the symbols of feudalism. Urban workers also expressed their discontent, demanding an
end to the privileges of nobles and officeholders. The National Assembly responded by abolishing
feudalism and banning worker associations.
The Revolution continued for several years, and there were many different phases to it. In the end,
the monarchy was overthrown and a republic was established. The Revolution also led to the spread
of Enlightenment ideas such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.

5. POLITICAL CONVULSION ON THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Revolutions can be dangerous and unpredictable, but they can also be necessary to achieve
important social and political change. The French Revolution was a particularly violent and chaotic
event, but it ultimately led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.
The author of the text argues that the revolutionaries were justified in their actions, given the
circumstances of the time. He also criticizes conservative writers who dismiss revolutions as the
work of a small number of knaves or fools.

The author begins by acknowledging that revolutions are dangerous and that it is impossible to
predict their outcome. However, he argues that this does not mean that we should never strive for
reform. In some cases, the only way to achieve meaningful change is through revolution. He then
goes on to discuss the French Revolution, which he sees as a necessary and ultimately successful
event.

The author argues that the French revolutionaries were justified in their actions because they were
facing a choice between “all and nothing.” The king and his advisors were determined to crush any
attempt at reform, and the revolutionaries believed that they had no choice but to fight back. The
author also points out that the revolutionaries did not choose violence over peace; it was the king
who first resorted to force. The Bastille fell only after the king and his advisors had tried to suppress
the revolution by force.

The author then goes on to criticize conservative writers who dismiss revolutions as the work of a
small number of knaves or fools. He argues that these writers fail to understand the desperation of
the revolutionaries and the difficult choices they faced. He also points out that revolutions are often
the result of complex social and political forces, not the actions of a few individuals.

The author concludes by arguing that the French Revolution was a necessary and ultimately
successful event. He acknowledges that the revolutionaries made mistakes, but he believes that they
were justified in their actions. He also criticizes conservative writers who fail to understand the
complexity of revolutions.

6. THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND AS DEPICTED CHARLES DICKENS INA TALE OF
TWO CITIES

The author argues that A Tale of Two Cities is not a novel about the French Revolution, but rather
about the reaffirmation of England as a safe haven and English citizenship as something to be proud
of. He supports this argument by pointing to the following contrasts between France and England as
they are depicted in the novel:
  France is dangerous and chaotic, while England is peaceful and stable. This contrast is
evident in the violence that erupts in France during the Revolution, as well as in the
characters’ repeated references to England as a place of refuge and safety.

 The characters who are portrayed sympathetically are English or end up in England, while
the villains are French or die in France. This pattern suggests that England is a place of good
and virtue, while France is a place of evil and vice.

 Sydney Carton’s death is not rendered as a punishment, but rather as a divine reward. This
suggests that even those who die in France can still achieve redemption, but only through
their association with England.

The author concludes by arguing that “A Tale of Two Cities” is a novel that celebrates the English
way of life and warns against the dangers of revolution.

Conclusion
In his novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens explores human emotions and reactions that are
not specific to any one historical event. The theme of justice is central to the novel, and Dickens
shows how it can take many forms. It can be to avenge a family member, like in the case of Madame
Defarge and Gaspard, or it could be to settle the score regarding something said or done.

Dickens also explores the limits of human justice. He asks the question: what does “justice” really
mean? Is it harming people who harm you? Or is it imprisoning people related to those people?
When does justice start becoming injustice?

Dickens’s novel is still relevant today. We can see examples of false imprisonment in the real world,
such as the imprisonment of Dr. Marnette and Charles Darnay in the novel.

Overall, A Tale of Two Cities is a powerful exploration of human emotions, justice, and the limits of
human justice. It is a novel that is still relevant today.