Characters for the tale of two cities
Book 1- Madame Defarge is seen as the innocent older wife of Monsieur Defarge the wine shop owner. She is often knitting outside or inside of the wine shop. She is seen as a flat character throughout the entire novel. She is shown indirectly by this quotation: "Only one soul was to be seen, and that was Madame Defarge- who was leaned against the door- post, knitting, and saw nothing" (Dickens 53). By this quote it shows how Madame Defarge appears innocent and what makes her look so innocent. Madame Defarge is the only main character that is introduced in the first book the other main characters start coming along in book two.
Book 2- Madame Defarge is seen not so innocent any more but seen as a violent revolutionist in book two. It turns out that her innocent knitting is actually a way for her to know who to kill for the revolution to succeed and liberate France. She is still a flat character and the quote is a indirect: "John" thought Madame, checking off her work as her fingers knitted, and her eyes looked at the stranger. "Stay long enough, and I shall knit "Barsad" before you go" (Dickens 187). By this quote she is saying that she is about to put Barsad into her "hit list". This shows how she is not so innocent after all.
Charles Darnay is shown in the second book in trial after being accused for treason against the government. He is one of the two main protagonists in this novel. He is a flat character and the quote is a direct quote: " MR. ATTORNEY- GENERAL had to inform the jury that the prisoner before them, though young in years, was old in treasonable practices which claimed the forfeit of his life" (Dickens 70). This quote is showing that the attorney general is accusing Charles Darnay saying the he is young in years but "old in treasonable practices".
Another way he was shown in the second book is that he was at his uncle Monsieur the Marquis house. He is still a flat character and it changes to a indirect quote: "It lay back on the pillow of Monsieur the Marquis. It was like a fine mask, suddenly startled, made angry, and petrified. Driven home into the heart of the stone figure attached to it was a knife. Round its hilt was a frill of paper, on which was scrawled: "Drive him fast to his tomb. This from Jacques" (Dickens 134-135). This shows that Charles Darnay has killed his uncle Monsieur the Marquis. This may sound really bad but he did do it, because his uncle is a aristocrat. He cares nothing for the peasants and the common people of France. So by this he is shown sort of as a hero by getting rid of his uncles evilness in France.
Sydney Carton is shown in the second book is shown as a drunkard and someone who doesn't care for anyone. He is the other main protagonist in this novel. He is a dynamic character and the quote is direct: "I think you have been drinking, Mr.Carton." "Think? You know I have been drinking." "Since I must say so, I know it." "Then you shall likewise know why. I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me" (Dickens 89). This quote shows that Carton has been drinking and that he doesn't care for anyone and that no one cares for him.
Book 3- Madame Defarge is shown to have a personal vendetta against Charles Darnay and everyone in his family, because of what his uncle had done to Madame Defarge. She is still a flat character and this is a direct quote: "Defarge, I was brought up among the fishermen of the sea-shore, and that peasant family so injured by the two Evremonde brothers, as that Bastille paper describes, is my family. Defarge, that sister of the mortally wounded boy upon the ground was my sister, that husband was my sister's husband, that unborn child was their child, that brother was my brother, that father was my father, those dead are my dead, and that summons to answer for those things descends on me" (Dickens 350)! This quote is showing why Madame Defarge has such a personal grudge against Darnay and his family.
Charles Darnay is shown in book three as he is heading for France from England. He is caught by revolutionaries and is taken to court. He is set free and proven innocent until they arrest him again after finding evidence in the tower Doctor Manette was held in. He is still a flat character and this is a direct quote: "Charles Evremonde, called Darnay. Released yesterday. Re-accused and retaken yesterday. Indictment delivered to him last night. Suspected and denounced enemy of the Republic, aristocrat, one of a family of tyrants, one of a race proscribed, for that they had used their abolished privileges to the infamous oppression of the people. Charles Evremonde, called Darnay, in right of such proscription absolutely dead in law" (Dickens 325-326). This quote shows that he was released and then re-accused for being a aristocrat and being apart of a family of tyrants.
Sydney Carton is shown in book three as a Christ like figure for his sacrifice to save the life of Charles Darnay so he can live and be with his family. He is a dynamic character, because of his transformation of a drunkard to being a savior to Darnay. This is a indirect quote: "I am the Resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die"(Dickens 385). This quote is indirect, because it may not say Cartons name but it is a reflection of his sacrifice making him by this sacrifice a Christ like figure. It also shows us that the only way to truly be happy is through sacrifice.
Book 2- Madame Defarge is seen not so innocent any more but seen as a violent revolutionist in book two. It turns out that her innocent knitting is actually a way for her to know who to kill for the revolution to succeed and liberate France. She is still a flat character and the quote is a indirect: "John" thought Madame, checking off her work as her fingers knitted, and her eyes looked at the stranger. "Stay long enough, and I shall knit "Barsad" before you go" (Dickens 187). By this quote she is saying that she is about to put Barsad into her "hit list". This shows how she is not so innocent after all.
Charles Darnay is shown in the second book in trial after being accused for treason against the government. He is one of the two main protagonists in this novel. He is a flat character and the quote is a direct quote: " MR. ATTORNEY- GENERAL had to inform the jury that the prisoner before them, though young in years, was old in treasonable practices which claimed the forfeit of his life" (Dickens 70). This quote is showing that the attorney general is accusing Charles Darnay saying the he is young in years but "old in treasonable practices".
Another way he was shown in the second book is that he was at his uncle Monsieur the Marquis house. He is still a flat character and it changes to a indirect quote: "It lay back on the pillow of Monsieur the Marquis. It was like a fine mask, suddenly startled, made angry, and petrified. Driven home into the heart of the stone figure attached to it was a knife. Round its hilt was a frill of paper, on which was scrawled: "Drive him fast to his tomb. This from Jacques" (Dickens 134-135). This shows that Charles Darnay has killed his uncle Monsieur the Marquis. This may sound really bad but he did do it, because his uncle is a aristocrat. He cares nothing for the peasants and the common people of France. So by this he is shown sort of as a hero by getting rid of his uncles evilness in France.
Sydney Carton is shown in the second book is shown as a drunkard and someone who doesn't care for anyone. He is the other main protagonist in this novel. He is a dynamic character and the quote is direct: "I think you have been drinking, Mr.Carton." "Think? You know I have been drinking." "Since I must say so, I know it." "Then you shall likewise know why. I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me" (Dickens 89). This quote shows that Carton has been drinking and that he doesn't care for anyone and that no one cares for him.
Book 3- Madame Defarge is shown to have a personal vendetta against Charles Darnay and everyone in his family, because of what his uncle had done to Madame Defarge. She is still a flat character and this is a direct quote: "Defarge, I was brought up among the fishermen of the sea-shore, and that peasant family so injured by the two Evremonde brothers, as that Bastille paper describes, is my family. Defarge, that sister of the mortally wounded boy upon the ground was my sister, that husband was my sister's husband, that unborn child was their child, that brother was my brother, that father was my father, those dead are my dead, and that summons to answer for those things descends on me" (Dickens 350)! This quote is showing why Madame Defarge has such a personal grudge against Darnay and his family.
Charles Darnay is shown in book three as he is heading for France from England. He is caught by revolutionaries and is taken to court. He is set free and proven innocent until they arrest him again after finding evidence in the tower Doctor Manette was held in. He is still a flat character and this is a direct quote: "Charles Evremonde, called Darnay. Released yesterday. Re-accused and retaken yesterday. Indictment delivered to him last night. Suspected and denounced enemy of the Republic, aristocrat, one of a family of tyrants, one of a race proscribed, for that they had used their abolished privileges to the infamous oppression of the people. Charles Evremonde, called Darnay, in right of such proscription absolutely dead in law" (Dickens 325-326). This quote shows that he was released and then re-accused for being a aristocrat and being apart of a family of tyrants.
Sydney Carton is shown in book three as a Christ like figure for his sacrifice to save the life of Charles Darnay so he can live and be with his family. He is a dynamic character, because of his transformation of a drunkard to being a savior to Darnay. This is a indirect quote: "I am the Resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die"(Dickens 385). This quote is indirect, because it may not say Cartons name but it is a reflection of his sacrifice making him by this sacrifice a Christ like figure. It also shows us that the only way to truly be happy is through sacrifice.
Structure for the tale of two cities
Book one- In book one characters, and the setting of the novel are introduced. It also starts to lay out the theme of the story. In the opening text it compares the good, and bad things about this era to set up the theme. It also uses foreshadowing in the opening text through this dialogue: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness" (Dickens 7). Dickens uses narration and description to structure the rest of the chapters in book one. He is very descriptive when talking about his characters like when describing Ms. Manette (Dickens 24). Mr. and Ms. Degarge (Dickens 36). Lastly Mr. Manette (Dickens 44). These are all examples of how the author is very descriptive with his characters.
Book two- In book two characters are built up more, and the setting is also. It introduces the protagonists, and the antagonists. In the beginning chapters of book two it is setting up one of the protagonist Charles Darnay as he is in trial for treason. It is shown through this dialogue: "Mr.Attorney-General had to inform the jury that the prisoner before them, though young in years, was old in the treasonable practices which claimed the forfeit of his life" (Dickens 70). It also shows who Charles Darnay is related to which helps further the plot in the novel. That is shown through this quote: "He was to be told (said Monseigneur) that supper awaited him then and there, and that he was prayed to come to it. In a little while he came. He had been known in England as Charles Darnay" (Dickens 125). Dickens is descriptive in this chapter by describing the bloody scenes that the revolution has caused. This is shown through this quote: "The hour was come, when Saint Antoine was to execute his horrible idea of hoisting up men for lamps to show what he could be and do. Saint Antoine's blood was up, and the blood of tyranny and domination by the iron hand was down- down on the steps of the Hotel de Ville where the governers body lay" (Dickens 226). This quote shows how Dickens describes the scenes in this book vividly, and with detail.
Book three- In book three the main protagonist is shown, and used to create the overall theme of this novel. That is shown through this dialogue: "I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (Dickens 385). Dickens also shows criticism to the revolution due to the unnecessary bloodshed to a lot of French citizens. This is shown though these pieces of dialogue: " Did she know that eleven hundred defenceless prisoners of both sexes and all ages had been killed by the populace; that four days and nights had been darkened by this deed of horror" (Dickens 278-279). "So much more wicked and distracted had the Revolution grown in that December month, that the rivers of the South were encumbered with bodies of the violently drowned by night, and prisoners were shot in lines and squares under the southern wintry sun" (Dickens 283). These quotes show us what Dickens thinks about what the revolution has become.
Book two- In book two characters are built up more, and the setting is also. It introduces the protagonists, and the antagonists. In the beginning chapters of book two it is setting up one of the protagonist Charles Darnay as he is in trial for treason. It is shown through this dialogue: "Mr.Attorney-General had to inform the jury that the prisoner before them, though young in years, was old in the treasonable practices which claimed the forfeit of his life" (Dickens 70). It also shows who Charles Darnay is related to which helps further the plot in the novel. That is shown through this quote: "He was to be told (said Monseigneur) that supper awaited him then and there, and that he was prayed to come to it. In a little while he came. He had been known in England as Charles Darnay" (Dickens 125). Dickens is descriptive in this chapter by describing the bloody scenes that the revolution has caused. This is shown through this quote: "The hour was come, when Saint Antoine was to execute his horrible idea of hoisting up men for lamps to show what he could be and do. Saint Antoine's blood was up, and the blood of tyranny and domination by the iron hand was down- down on the steps of the Hotel de Ville where the governers body lay" (Dickens 226). This quote shows how Dickens describes the scenes in this book vividly, and with detail.
Book three- In book three the main protagonist is shown, and used to create the overall theme of this novel. That is shown through this dialogue: "I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (Dickens 385). Dickens also shows criticism to the revolution due to the unnecessary bloodshed to a lot of French citizens. This is shown though these pieces of dialogue: " Did she know that eleven hundred defenceless prisoners of both sexes and all ages had been killed by the populace; that four days and nights had been darkened by this deed of horror" (Dickens 278-279). "So much more wicked and distracted had the Revolution grown in that December month, that the rivers of the South were encumbered with bodies of the violently drowned by night, and prisoners were shot in lines and squares under the southern wintry sun" (Dickens 283). These quotes show us what Dickens thinks about what the revolution has become.