Collaborative Literature Analysis: A Tale of Two Cities

Here's a Collaborative Literature Analysis I did with Justin Thompson. Let us know if there's any holes to fill!

Summary:
A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens is difficult to summarize without trivializing it.  Speaking in very general terms, it is a story of love -- whether it is between lovers, family, or friends.  The story takes place in the late 18th Century, a time when fear of revolutionaries was at an all time high.  Within this social conflict, Lucie Manette attempts to revive her father after his years of unjust imprisonment.  Along the way, the lives of several individuals become complexly intertwined.  With revolution erupting and old secrets coming to light, "friendships" become tested and the happy band of protagonists become splintered by the destructive force of mob rule.

Theme:
In a political sense, it is obvious that Dickens is warning of the dangers of mob rule.  Several scenes describe the public thinking as a single bloodthirsty entity.  Besides the closing sequence, one of the most telling of these scenes is as a man's corpse is being transported to a graveyard.  Rumor has it that he was a traitor in life, and without any proof, citizens harass the coach carrying the body.  Once they have claimed victory over the coach, they move on to vandalizing property for no logical reason.  Of course, the Carton's climatic sacrifice at the book's end most potently describes Dickens's theme.

Tone:
Dickens writes with a very matter-of-fact and journalistic tone that deals with morose topics.  Characters and events are told frankly as they are.  However, that is not to say that it lacks embellishment.  Dickens regularly breaks up his sentences with rambling side topics before returning to the core idea.  The result of these elements is an honest tone that implies unbiased narration.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”
“It was the Dover road that lay, on a Friday night late in November, before the first of the persons with whom this history has business.”
“Mr. Attorney-General had to inform the jury, that the prisoner before them, though young in years, was old in the treasonable practices which claimed the forfeit of his life. “

1. Antagonist:  A Tale of Two Cities generally deals with flat characters, and the antagonist(s?) are no exception.  The Marquis is characterized primarily by his cold-hearted disdain for the less fortunate, while the Defarges have little purpose besides being revolutionaries.
2. Connotation:  Subtlety is an important part of the story, and many characters say more than their direct dialogue suggests.  An example of this is the “Jacques” code names used by revolutionaries.
3. Dialogue:  This is a very archetypal dialogue for Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities.  Although the dialogue is relatively simple, there is a lot of hidden complexity.  In this example, for instance, Dr. Manette’s confusion as well as the significance of his shoe making is explored in just a few lines of text.

"What did you say?"

"Do you mean to finish that pair of shoes to-day?"

"I can't say that I mean to. I suppose so. I don't know."

But, the question reminded him of his work, and he bent over it again.

4. Foreshadowing:  The following quote by Sydney Carton heavily foreshadows the role he will ultimately play in the novel’s climax.  This is particularly interesting considering that the novel was published episodically.

"I'd do anything for you or who would love you."

5. Setting:  Setting has immense significance to the novel.  Dickens writes of a time of revolution and the brutality of mob rule for an audience that was once again fearing such things.  Also important is the fact that he writes of a time with extreme economic disparity, leading to social tensions.

“It was the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.”

6. Foil:  Charles and Sydney are obvious foils.  For one, their similar appearance inherently cause the audience to compare the two.  One is successful, the other has wasted his potential.
7. Personification:  In A Tale of Two Cities, the republic is addressed almost as if it is its own entity.  Characters act in its name like it is alive, despite it not even being technically existent.

“For the Republic”

8. Irony:  Sydney Carton seems like the most pitiful character of the story upon his introduction.  His epic heroism in the closing chapters is completely unexpected.
9. Figurative Language:  Dickens’s writing style facilitates the frequent use of figurative language.  He typically writes in a longer descriptive style, where figurative language fits in well.

"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 a the throne of France.

10. Metaphor:  In a similar way that Dickens’s uses figurative language, metaphors help Dickens make the most of his words.  Some of these metaphors are quite extended.  Dr. Manette’s shoe making is a metaphor for his imprisonment (he abandoned it after being freed, only to return in times of strife).

Characterization
Direct
All three were wrapped to the cheekbones and over the ears, and wore jack-boots

He was a man of about sixty, handsomely dressed, haughty in manner, and with a face like a fine mask
Indirect
Rather wishing his modest adjective away, Mr. Lorry replied, "No, no, no. Surely not. To return to business

Sydney had been working double tides that night, and the night before, and the night before that, and a good many nights in succession,


Character Syntax and Diction
Dickens more or less uses the same syntax and diction for character as he does for describing other elements of the story.  Generally, things are described matter-of-factly.    Just as he describes the setting at face value (including every single cringe-worthy detail), he uses frank descriptions of characters.  Likely this is due to the fact that A Tale of Two Cities was published episodically.  With this relatively flat way of describing characters, it would be easier for the audience to keep track of them over a length of time.


Protagonist

Charles is a static and flat character throughout the novel. We learn little about his internal thoughts and he doesn't undergo any sort of transformation. Charles is the same character in the end of the book as he is in the beginning.

End of Book

I felt I could relate to Sydney Carton’s attitude and lack of action. I can often get into the attitude of feeling bad for my self and thinking everything is wrong except me. Carton finally decided to take the initiative and its in that moment he feels most at peace. His last words end with content for his decisions and joy for his love’s happiness. (Justin Thompson)