"A Tale of Two Cities"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the themes of revolution and rebirth in "A Tale of Two Cities" written by Charles Dickens. The paper examines the theme of dying and coming to life again that is repeated in the narratives of the story's major characters. The paper contends that this theme is mirrored in the larger thematic notion of the French Revolution's circular ideology of death, liberty, freedom and tyranny.

From the Paper:

"The examples of individuals such as Sydney Carton over the course of the novel show that all human beings can be recalled to life, even if not to physical life under a dictatorship, then to eternal life, through setting an example of Christ-like sacrifice. This is not to say that Dickens had no sympathy for the initial impulses of the revolution-the first person recalled to life is called to life from jail before the revolution. This shows the example of how the ancient, aristocratic regime was bad in France, even though the revolutionary regime also becomes brutalizing-any imprisoning tyranny kills the human spirit, Dickens suggests, whether it is liberal or conservative. "

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• Book Review # 108716 : "Fairy Tales and "A Tale of Two Cities"

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