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A Tale of Two Cities

1775
year in which A Tale Of Two Cities begins
Woodman
personification of FATE
Farmer
personification of Death
Robber
meaning of the word highwayman
Dover
the town to which MR. Lorry is going in the \”mail\”
Jerry
stops the coach with a message
frightened passengers
afraid that Jerry is a highwayman
Recall to life
message that Mr. Lorry gives in reply
buried alive
where Lucie\’s father has been for 18 years
why does Mr. Lorry meet Lucie?
to tell her about her father
Feb. 7, 1812
When Charles Dickens was born
Dickens\’ parents
father lived beyond his financial means and mother could not handle practical matters
Debtor\’s Prison
place where Disckens\’ father was sent before Dickens\’ was 12 and this forced Charles to work at a blacking factory pasting labels onto bottles
Dickens\’ ultimate success
due to his determination to self-educate
By 1836
Dickens was able to support himself through his writing
June 9, 1879
When Dickens died from a stroke probably as a result of public readings, an overseas tour, and overwork
Purpose of Dickens writings
to expose the evils of society, plight of the lower classes, and the need for reform
Serial publication
where Dickens writings were published on a monthly basis
Liked to work on several projects at the same time
He was writing Oliver Twist, when he began work on Nicholas Nickleby
7 years
he wrote 6 major novels
Writing was difficult
he forced himself to write whether he felt like it or not. He generally wrote for 5 hours a day and walked around for 3 hours each day in order to gather new material for his books
Point of view
omniscient viewpoint which allows the author to comment on the aciton and to introduce historical information. It also allows him the freedom to enter the minds of the character
Symbolism
color red and the spilled wine symbolize the blood that will be spilled in the coming revolution.
Storm and steps in Soho Square foreshadow
the revolution
golden thread represents
Lucie\’s love for her father and Carton\’s love for Lucie
Madame Defarge
is the forge in the revolution because her actions shape and sustain it.
Lawyer Stryver
a striving person
Gabelle
named for the hated salt tax in France
the Vengence
is more a personification of the revolutionaries motives than an actual character. The continued presence of the Vengence reminds the reader of Defarge\’s relentless goal
Theme
Recalled to life – implies resurrection.
Dr. Manette\’s release from prison and Lucie\’s loving care for her father
both are forms of resurrection
Sydney Carton
saves Darnay from prison and means salvation for both Carton and Darnay
Power of love
the redemptive force that ultimately can conquer death.
Historical level presented by Dickens
shows England that the same type of revolution could occur there.
French aristocracy
spurred the people to revolution through their stupidity and cruelty
England
harsh economic circumstances could force the poor to revolt. Dickens is urging reform in England
Rhetorical Devices
key words that are repeated throughout the novel are: storm, footsteps, echoes, golden thread, and shadow appear in all three books and tie the novel together.
character tags or mannerisms
Stryver\’s chouldering, Cruncher\’s honest trade, Madae Defarge\’s knitting, Carton\’s constant drinking
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