Charles Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities - 1992 Words

Orison Swett Marden, an author known for his works in philosophy once wrote, â€Å"You will be modified, shaped, molded by your surroundings, by the character of the people with whom you come in contact†. Using these words, Marden summarizes what factors influence humans and shape how they turn out. A similar scenario appears in Charles Dicken’s A Tale of Two Cities, where two characters are initially driven by their love for different people, but soon turn into complete opposites. Madame DeFarge, fueled by love, turns evil, while Sydney Carton, a lazy alcoholic, takes charge of his life after being motivated by love. The factor that separates their paths is their surroundings: Madame DeFarge lives in France, while Sydney Carton†¦show more content†¦By strange stern ways, and through much staining of blood, those feet had come to meet that water† (3.14.376). Since she is one of them, she is already passionate about exterminating the nobility, but it also fits in well with her goal of exterminating the Evrà ©monde family. Hence, this revolution and her surroundings stop Madame DeFarge from recovering from her childhood and it serves as a constant opportunity that will allow her to exact revenge from her family. In addition, this revolution lets her love take the wrong direction. Mr. Carton, on the other hand, is impacted by his love for Lucie Manette in a big way because he goes from being a lazy alcoholic to a making a great sacrifice for those Lucie cares about. Sydney Carton initially describes himself by saying: I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me (2.4.70). He has no goals in life and is hopeless at a young age because he mostly wanders through streets, drunk and wasting his potential. However, this changes when he confronts Lucie about his love for her because he mends his ways and does something Lucie can remember him for. He tells her, crying and promising to change, that â€Å"O Miss Manette†¦when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew...think...there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!Show MoreRelatedDickens Interpretation Of The French Revolution786 Words   |  4 PagesEssay Prompt: In A Tale of Two Cities, how does Dickens’ descript ion of specific characters and their fate (2-3) illustrate his interpretation of the French Revolution? Evaluate this interpretation in light of other evidence drawn from course materials. Outline Intro: French Revolution: significance, etc. Tale of Two Cities: significance, shows British perspective, etc. First Paragraph: Marquis Was a nobleman in France Quotes from book to illustrate character (his past and present crimes againstRead MoreA Tale of Two Cities800 Words   |  4 Pages Charles Dickens characterizes the settings in his novel, â€Å"A Tale of Two Cities,† through indirect comparison and contrast between Paris and London during the French Revolution, a political and social upheaval from 1789–1799; â€Å"There was a king with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face on the throne of England; there was a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face on the throne of France. 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As tensions arose between the aristocrats and peasants, the French Revolution was born. Sixty years later, Charles Dickens addresses the war through through the stark revenge am ong the people, which is demonstrated by many characters. As the novelRead MoreLight And Dark Imagery Of London And Paris1768 Words   |  8 Pagesand social issues, as well as ethics during this turbulent era. The first line of A Tale of Two Cities is â€Å"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (3) this suggests a distinction of the two cities, London and Paris. London was known for being the peaceful home of the main characters, however Paris was quite the opposite because of the vicious French Revolution. Within this dark imagery, Dicken’s gives the reader some tender moments with the loving and harmonious Lucie ManetteRead MoreSydney Carton Analysis920 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"The greatest sacrifice is when you sacrifice your own happiness for the sake off someone else† (Unknown). In Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton sacrifices his life for Charles Darnay, the husband of the woman he loves, Lucie Manette. He loves her so tenderly that he is willing to give his life for her happiness. Sydney Carton is a man who feels that he wasted his life and hes always drunk. He is not married but then he meets Dr. Manette’s daughter, Lucie Manette, and heRead MorePursuit of Revenge in a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens892 Words   |  4 PagesBecause of the social and political ways of the aristocracy, tensions rose throughout France. This hostility between the peasants and the aristocrats started the French Revolution in 1789. Sixty years later, Charles Dickens wrote his novel, A Tale of Two Cities, in pieces. Dickens wonderfully portrays this war with his flawless imagery and reoccurring themes. One of his many themes throughout his novel is the theme of revenge. Dickens beautifully supports the theme of revenge through his clever symbols