Fairy Tales and "A Tale of Two Cities" Book Review by AmbishuzBeauty

Fairy Tales and "A Tale of Two Cities"
A discussion on how Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" contains elements of fairy tales.
# 108716 | 1,725 words | 7 sources | MLA | 2008 | US
Published on Oct 24, 2008 in Literature (Children) , Literature (English) , English (Analysis)


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Description:

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>.

Cite this Book Review:

APA Format

Fairy Tales and "A Tale of Two Cities" (2008, October 24) Retrieved December 09, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/book-review/fairy-tales-and-a-tale-of-two-cities-108716/

MLA Format

"Fairy Tales and "A Tale of Two Cities"" 24 October 2008. Web. 09 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/book-review/fairy-tales-and-a-tale-of-two-cities-108716/>

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