theme for the Tale of two cities
The ideas of poverty start to take place in the first book of The Tale of Two Cities.
In the first book it shows the true poverty of the peasants in the town of Saint Antoine in France. This is shown when the wine cask is broken in the street of Saint Antoine, and when this happens the peasants do everything they can to get to the wine: "A large cask of wine had been dropped and broken, in the street. The accident had happened in getting it out of the cart, the cask had tumbled out with a run, the hoops had burst, and it lay on the stones just outside the door of the wine shop, shattered like a walnut-shell. All the people within reach had suspended their business, or the idleness, to run to the spot and drink the wine" (Dickens 32). When the wine cask fell and broke it showed that everyone in the area had left from whatever they were doing to get to the wine which was considered to be an upper class drink. By this it shows the desperation of the people and peasants of France.
The ideas of of rebellion take place in the second book of The Tale of Two Cities.
In book two Dickens wants us to see the negatives that a rebellion can lead to. This is shown by the description that Dickens has wrote in this quote: "So much more wicked and distracted had the revolution grown that December month, that the rivers of the south were encumbered with the bodies of the violently drowned by night, and prisoners were shot in line and squares under the southern wintry sun" (Dickens 283). In this it shows the violence and bloodshed that the revolution is causing. They will do anything in order to be free from the tyranny of the aristocrats and for all of France to be liberated.
The ideas of sacrifice and resurrection take place in the third book of The Tale of Two Cities.
In book three Dickens wants the reader to understand that through sacrifice one can truly be happy. He also believes that through sacrifice a person can be resurrected and rise in a societal and personal level: "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). In this quotation it shows that through Cartons sacrifice he is symbolized as Christ, because he has saved Darnay so he can be with his family. He is also shown that he is happy due to this sacrifice.
In the first book it shows the true poverty of the peasants in the town of Saint Antoine in France. This is shown when the wine cask is broken in the street of Saint Antoine, and when this happens the peasants do everything they can to get to the wine: "A large cask of wine had been dropped and broken, in the street. The accident had happened in getting it out of the cart, the cask had tumbled out with a run, the hoops had burst, and it lay on the stones just outside the door of the wine shop, shattered like a walnut-shell. All the people within reach had suspended their business, or the idleness, to run to the spot and drink the wine" (Dickens 32). When the wine cask fell and broke it showed that everyone in the area had left from whatever they were doing to get to the wine which was considered to be an upper class drink. By this it shows the desperation of the people and peasants of France.
The ideas of of rebellion take place in the second book of The Tale of Two Cities.
In book two Dickens wants us to see the negatives that a rebellion can lead to. This is shown by the description that Dickens has wrote in this quote: "So much more wicked and distracted had the revolution grown that December month, that the rivers of the south were encumbered with the bodies of the violently drowned by night, and prisoners were shot in line and squares under the southern wintry sun" (Dickens 283). In this it shows the violence and bloodshed that the revolution is causing. They will do anything in order to be free from the tyranny of the aristocrats and for all of France to be liberated.
The ideas of sacrifice and resurrection take place in the third book of The Tale of Two Cities.
In book three Dickens wants the reader to understand that through sacrifice one can truly be happy. He also believes that through sacrifice a person can be resurrected and rise in a societal and personal level: "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). In this quotation it shows that through Cartons sacrifice he is symbolized as Christ, because he has saved Darnay so he can be with his family. He is also shown that he is happy due to this sacrifice.
Point of view for the tale of two cities
Book one- Dickens narrator speaks in a third person omniscient point of view. In the first book the narrator switches his focus between the cities, and the characters in the first book.These are examples of the narrator going between the cities: "There were a king with a large jaw, and a queen with a plain face, on the throne of England; there were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on the throne of France" (Dickens 7). This quote is showing the narrator talking about both countries. Not only talking about just the king, and queen of one country. The characters thoughts and actions are shown in these quotes: "Good day!" said Monsieur Defarge, looking down at the white head that bent low over the shoemaking" (Dickens 43). "The shoemaker stopped his work; looked with a vacant air of listening, at the floor on one side of him; then similarly, at the floor on the other side of him; then upward at the speaker. "What did you say?' (Dickens 44). These quotes show that the narrator switches between cities, and shows the different actions of multiple characters.
Book two- Dickens narrator still speaks in a third person omniscient point of view, still showing different characters thoughts, and actions. These quotes help show the narrators point of view. "Mr. Darnay had kissed her hand fervently and gratefully, and had turned to Mr. Stryver, whom he warmly thanked" (Dickens 84). "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). These quotes show us how the narrator moves in between the characters both in their action, and in their thoughts.
Book three- In book three the narrator still speaks in the third person omniscient point of view. Showing the thought and actions of the main characters of this novel. These thoughts, and actions play a huge part in the theme of the novel especially in this book. You will see the example of this in these quotes: "Sydney Carton paused in the street, not quite decided where to go. "At Tellson's banking-house at nine," he said, with a musing face" (Dickens 347). "I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss, and, in their struggles to be truly free, in their triumphs and defeats, through long long years to come, I see the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out" (Dickens 386). These quotes show us some of the thoughts and actions of a few of the characters in book three of The Tale of Two Cites. These quotes help prove that this book has a third person omniscient point of view.
Book two- Dickens narrator still speaks in a third person omniscient point of view, still showing different characters thoughts, and actions. These quotes help show the narrators point of view. "Mr. Darnay had kissed her hand fervently and gratefully, and had turned to Mr. Stryver, whom he warmly thanked" (Dickens 84). "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). These quotes show us how the narrator moves in between the characters both in their action, and in their thoughts.
Book three- In book three the narrator still speaks in the third person omniscient point of view. Showing the thought and actions of the main characters of this novel. These thoughts, and actions play a huge part in the theme of the novel especially in this book. You will see the example of this in these quotes: "Sydney Carton paused in the street, not quite decided where to go. "At Tellson's banking-house at nine," he said, with a musing face" (Dickens 347). "I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss, and, in their struggles to be truly free, in their triumphs and defeats, through long long years to come, I see the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out" (Dickens 386). These quotes show us some of the thoughts and actions of a few of the characters in book three of The Tale of Two Cites. These quotes help prove that this book has a third person omniscient point of view.
Culture in the tale of two cities
Book one- Book one is set in England, and France in 1775. This is the start of many changes in the world especially in America, because of the American Revolution. It is also the start of changes to France especially, because they are about to start there revolution in not to long. In book one it is starting to show the changes in these countries (Dickens 7). Also the class distinctions in this era from peasants to the powerful aristocrats (Dickens 32).
Book two- Book two is still taking place in England, and France in 1780 to 1792. It starts building up one of the protagonist, and also his back story (Dickens 67, and 125). It shows the evil of the aristocrats in this time period (Dickens 116). In book two it also starts to develop the revolution. While also developing its leaders Madame, and Monsieur Defarge. (Dickens 187, 219, 222, and 226).
Book three- Book three takes place in France in 1792 to 1793. In book three is builds up the main protagonists, while also building upon the theme of the story (Dickens 360, 385, and 386). It builds up Madame Defarge character more in this book (Dickens 350). The revolutions cruelty to the people of France (Dickens 278, and 283).
Book two- Book two is still taking place in England, and France in 1780 to 1792. It starts building up one of the protagonist, and also his back story (Dickens 67, and 125). It shows the evil of the aristocrats in this time period (Dickens 116). In book two it also starts to develop the revolution. While also developing its leaders Madame, and Monsieur Defarge. (Dickens 187, 219, 222, and 226).
Book three- Book three takes place in France in 1792 to 1793. In book three is builds up the main protagonists, while also building upon the theme of the story (Dickens 360, 385, and 386). It builds up Madame Defarge character more in this book (Dickens 350). The revolutions cruelty to the people of France (Dickens 278, and 283).