Fairy Tales and "A Tale of Two Cities"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens and classical fairy tales are very related through the function of oppression, achieving a voice, and the use of stock characters. It looks at how certain ideas and characters, such as Madame Defarge and Lucie in "A Tale of Two Cities", are comparable to ideas and characters like evil stepmothers and princesses in fairy tales. Through the similarities, Dickens' novel is a parallel of fairy tales.

From the Paper:

"Fairy tales contain a manner of oppression as well. Most princesses discussed in fairy tales undergo rejection from a higher authority, similar to the ostracizing of peasants by the nobility. The story of Cinderella addresses the issues of oppression and injustice ("Cinderella" 1). Cinderella faces rejection from her stepmother when coerced to act as a servant in the house by constantly cleaning, attending to the stepsisters' needs, and dressing in rags. The stepmother refuses to allow Cinderella to attend the Prince Charming's ball as well. Her stepsisters', however, are treated properly as a daughter should be with love from the mother. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Achberger, Karen. "Beyond Patriarchy: Ingeborg Bachmann and Fairytales." Modern Austrian Literature. 1985: (1-13) Literary Reference Center. Wesner Library. March 1, 2008. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf>.
• Allingham, Philip V. "A Tale of Two Cities (1859): A Model of the Integration of History and Literature." The Victorian Web. 1991: (2-6). March 1, 2008. <http://www.usp.nus.edu.sg/victorian/authors/dickens>.
• "Cinderella." Fairy Tales. Dec. 5, 2007. Feb. 25, 2008. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/10_october>.
• Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. New York: Washington Square Press, 1996.
• Magoulick, Mary. "Fairy Tales." Fairy Tales. Feb. 29, 2008. <http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~mmagouli/fairy_tales.htm>.

More papers on Fairy Tales and "A Tale of Two Cities":

• Book Review # 695 : "Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities"
• Analytical Essay # 51427 : "A Tale of Two Cities"
• Analytical Essay # 59175 : "Class Struggles in "A Tale of Two Cities"

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