Themes: Revolution and Retribution
Dickens was writing at a time when the French Revolution was just beginning to pass out of popular memory. In particular, the Reign of Terror, of which Dickens provides the most vivid and influential descriptions in the English language, ended in 1794, sixty-five years (or a reasonable lifespan) before the publication of A Tale of Two Cities. One might argue that the intensity of Dickens’s writing leaves a false impression of the book and, in particular, its theme of revolution and retribution. The Reign of Terror is so powerfully described that many readers, particularly if it is some time since they have read the book, are left with the impression of the villainous Defarges and their associates participating in a senseless slaughter of innocent aristocrats. In fact, Dickens makes it very clear, particularly in his portrayal of the Marquis de Sainte Evrémonde, that the revolution results inevitably from centuries of tyranny and oppression. The passages describing the Terror are relatively brief compared with those which examine the decadence and cruelty of the aristocrats, and Dickens repeatedly insists that their conduct made the Terror inevitable and that any thoughtful person could easily have predicted what would happen:
It was too much the way of Monseigneur under his reverses as a refugee . . . to talk of this terrible Revolution as if it were the only harvest ever known under the skies that had not been sown—as if nothing had ever been done, or omitted to be done, that had led to it—as if observers of the wretched millions in France, and of the misused and perverted resources that should have made them prosperous, had not seen it inevitably coming, years before, and had not in plain terms recorded what they saw.
Expert Q&A
Depiction of mobs in A Tale of Two Cities
In A Tale of Two Cities, mobs are depicted as chaotic and violent forces driven by collective rage and desperation. Dickens portrays them as both a powerful agent of change and a source of fear and destruction, illustrating the dual nature of the French Revolution and the unpredictability of mass movements.
What does the guillotine symbolize in A Tale of Two Cities?
To French revolutionaries, the guillotine symbolized the equality they were fighting for. They thought it was an efficient and equal way to kill people. In A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens demonstrates that it really symbolizes how the revolution got out of hand. He writes, “Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death;—the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine!” This shows how murder became ingrained in the revolutionary ideology and brings attention to the dehumanizing nature of mass violence.
What is the importance and purpose of the Carmagnole in Book 3, Chapter 5 of A Tale of Two Cities?
The Carmagnole in Book 3, Chapter 5 of A Tale of Two Cities is significant as it symbolizes the ferocity of the French Revolution. Lucie and her father witness this revolutionary song and dance, which terrifies Lucie due to its chaotic and violent nature. The dance exemplifies the revolution's destructive force and foreshadows the potential harm to her family, particularly her husband, highlighting the personal danger they face amidst the political turmoil.
Explain the quote from A Tale of Two Cities: "Crush humanity...under similar hammers, and it will twist itself into the same tortured forms."
This quote reflects Dickens' view on the French Revolution's brutality, highlighting the inevitable violent backlash against long-standing oppression. He warns that crushing humanity under relentless oppression will inevitably lead to grotesque and vengeful reactions, as seen in the revolution's bloodlust. Dickens suggests that such extreme repression breeds monstrous responses, exemplified by characters like Madame Defarge, and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of systemic injustice and tyranny.
What is Dickens suggesting with this description in his work?
"In this respect the House was much on a par with the Country; which did very often disinherit its sons for suggesting improvements in laws and customs that had long been highly objectionable, but were only the more respectable."
Dickens uses the description of Tellson's Bank to critique society's reluctance to reform outdated and oppressive systems. By comparing the bank to a prison and paralleling it with the country's resistance to legal and social improvements, Dickens humorously highlights the absurdity of clinging to traditions that are "highly objectionable." This reflects his concern over restrictive societal norms in Victorian England, suggesting that such conditions could lead to rebellion, akin to the French Revolution.
How does A Tale of Two Cities portray social justice and injustice?
A Tale of Two Cities portrays social justice and injustice through the backdrop of the French Revolution. The revolution symbolizes the brutal response of the oppressed seeking justice but ultimately perpetuating further injustice. The aristocracy's cruelty, exemplified by the Marquis St. Evrémonde's disregard for peasants, highlights systemic inequities. In contrast, London appears more orderly but still harbors underlying injustices. Dickens critiques both societies, illustrating that true justice remains elusive despite revolutionary changes.
What are the people's reactions to the broken wine cask? What does the spilled wine symbolize? What power has ground the people down and what does this indicate about conditions in France?
The people react to the broken wine cask by eagerly drinking the wine from the street, highlighting their desperation and poverty. This scene symbolizes the dire conditions in France, where the impoverished masses are oppressed by the ruling powers. The spilled wine foreshadows the bloodshed of the impending revolution, as the crowd's behavior reflects the mob mentality that will drive future violence. The incident underscores the social unrest brewing in Paris.
In A Tale of Two Cities, how does the metaphor of the sea describe the revolutionaries?
In A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens uses the metaphor of the sea to describe the revolutionaries as an indistinguishable, relentless force. Like the sea's waves, the mob is driven by fury, losing individual identity and crashing down with violent force. This imagery highlights their unstoppable nature, as they rise in a frenzy of blood and violence, making no exceptions and sweeping away everything in their path like a powerful tide.
The Marquis' behavior towards the peasant child and whether his death is an act of revenge
The Marquis' behavior towards the peasant child is callous and indifferent, as he runs over the child with his carriage and shows no remorse. His death is indeed an act of revenge, orchestrated by the peasants who are outraged by his cruel treatment and the broader injustices they face.
In A Tale of Two Cities, how do revenge and justice conflict based on one's perception of justification?
In "A Tale of Two Cities," revenge and justice conflict through characters like Madame Defarge and her husband, Ernest Defarge, whose perceptions differ. Madame Defarge seeks total extermination of the Evremonde family as revenge for her family's deaths, believing it her duty. In contrast, Monsieur Defarge argues for restraint, viewing Charles Darnay and his family as innocent. This conflict illustrates how personal justifications shape the boundaries between revenge and perceived justice.
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