A Tale of Two Cities | Preface

Preface

WHEN I was acting‚ with my children and friends‚ in Mr. WILKIE COLLINS’S drama of The Frozen Deep‚ I first conceived the main idea of this story. A strong desire was upon me then to embody it in my own person; and I traced out in my fancy the state of mind which it would necessitate the presentation to an observant spectator‚ with particular care and interest.

As the idea became familiar to me‚ it gradually shaped itself into its present form. Throughout its execution‚ it has had complete possession of me; I have so far verified what is done and suffered in these pages‚ as that I have certainly done and suffered it all myself.

Whenever any reference (however slight) is made here to the condition of the French people before or during the Revolution‚ it is truly made‚ on the faith of trustworthy witnesses. It has been one of my hopes to add something to the popular and picturesque means of understanding that terrible time‚ though no one can hope to add anything to the philosophy of Mr. CARLYLE wonderful book.

Charles Dickens

Tavistock House‚ London‚

November‚ 1859.

  • Wilkie Collins – an English writer (1824 – 1889)
  • the Revolution – the French Revolution, which was fought from 1789 to 1799. Though it began because of financial trouble in the government, it soon led to a violent uprising by citizens. During this uprising, called the Reign of Terror, King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, were guillotined. Napoleon Bonaparte became ruler of France after the Revolution.
  • Mr. Carlyle – a Scottish writer, Thomas Carlyle (1795 – 1881). One of his best-known books, written in 1837, is called The French Revolution.