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rileys_papa 's review for:
A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What
A Tale of two cities follows main character Alexandre Manette through the trials and tribulations of the French Revolution. It explores themes of class, repression, poverty, aristocracy, hatred, love, dedication, sacrifice and redemption.
How
Dickens interweaves an array of characters stories which does make it difficult to follow at times. However it compliments the complexity and size of impact of a national movement, and the impact on each individual circumstance, when it all combines, ultimately leads to a brilliant finale.
For example. A whole chapter spent on a tertiary side characters past life (although it supplied perspective to the level of poverty at the time) just so that it could produce a reveal that led to another characters ability to blackmail him for assistance.
True
It highlights the resilience, determination and sacrifice that love can provide in any living conditions. Sydney Carton, Dr Manette, Charles Darney..
The novel does raise questions around whether love or hatred is a stronger form of passion.
In the face off scene, it seems that Miss Pross brings unwavering dedication for others where Madame Defarge’s has a desire for redemption from past injustice lived as hatred and pain directed towards aristocrats and foreigners.
This form of passion, ultimately distracts from a revolutions purest goal(improving society conditions for the oppressed) which leads to Defarges underestimating Pross.
Arguably because the revolutionists goal is not constantly kept in the mind, it corrupts and dilutes their cause. This leads to masses of revolutionists misplaced satisfaction and romanticising excessive use of the guillotine.
Also it’s exploration of approaches that favour repression and the results it can bring
What of it
Important topics for contemplation.
Dickens seems to paint the French at the time as rude aristocrats or jealous blood thirsty revolutionists. Domineering either way.
Best bits
If you knew what a conflict goes on in the business mind, when the business mind is divided between good natured impulses and business appearances, you would be amused mr Darney.
Last lines of “the Jackle” Chapter
Funny- *Aristocrat runs over and kills small boy*
“Control yourselves, who knows what damage you have caused my horses*
Detestation of the high, is the honorary homage of the low.
Repression is the only lasting philosophy, the dark deference of fear and slavery will Lee the dogs obedient to the whip as long as this roof shuts out the sky.
I will die perpetuating the system under which I have lived
Anyone carried home by the people today, may be condemned tomorrow
Tell the wind and the fire where to stop not me
A Tale of two cities follows main character Alexandre Manette through the trials and tribulations of the French Revolution. It explores themes of class, repression, poverty, aristocracy, hatred, love, dedication, sacrifice and redemption.
How
Dickens interweaves an array of characters stories which does make it difficult to follow at times. However it compliments the complexity and size of impact of a national movement, and the impact on each individual circumstance, when it all combines, ultimately leads to a brilliant finale.
For example. A whole chapter spent on a tertiary side characters past life (although it supplied perspective to the level of poverty at the time) just so that it could produce a reveal that led to another characters ability to blackmail him for assistance.
True
It highlights the resilience, determination and sacrifice that love can provide in any living conditions. Sydney Carton, Dr Manette, Charles Darney..
The novel does raise questions around whether love or hatred is a stronger form of passion.
In the face off scene, it seems that Miss Pross brings unwavering dedication for others where Madame Defarge’s has a desire for redemption from past injustice lived as hatred and pain directed towards aristocrats and foreigners.
This form of passion, ultimately distracts from a revolutions purest goal(improving society conditions for the oppressed) which leads to Defarges underestimating Pross.
Arguably because the revolutionists goal is not constantly kept in the mind, it corrupts and dilutes their cause. This leads to masses of revolutionists misplaced satisfaction and romanticising excessive use of the guillotine.
Also it’s exploration of approaches that favour repression and the results it can bring
What of it
Important topics for contemplation.
Dickens seems to paint the French at the time as rude aristocrats or jealous blood thirsty revolutionists. Domineering either way.
Best bits
If you knew what a conflict goes on in the business mind, when the business mind is divided between good natured impulses and business appearances, you would be amused mr Darney.
Last lines of “the Jackle” Chapter
Funny- *Aristocrat runs over and kills small boy*
“Control yourselves, who knows what damage you have caused my horses*
Detestation of the high, is the honorary homage of the low.
Repression is the only lasting philosophy, the dark deference of fear and slavery will Lee the dogs obedient to the whip as long as this roof shuts out the sky.
I will die perpetuating the system under which I have lived
Anyone carried home by the people today, may be condemned tomorrow
Tell the wind and the fire where to stop not me