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A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens

Introduction

Background

Discussion Starters

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A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens



A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction

Did you ever wonder if a person’s fortune iscarved in stone

or if an individual canreach out and changedestiny?




In A Tale of Two Cities, entire populations areasking these questions.

Especially in France, where in the late1780s the rich live in luxury

while the poor run out of bread.




Those who try to act against the rich in any waycan be punished horribly.

When Doctor Manette tries to reveal a noblefamily’s crimes, he is locked in prison, as if “buried alive for eighteen years!”




Dr. Manette is finally freed and taken to London.

But the “best of times” and

the “worst of times” prevail in bothcities. Villains and heroes, hope anddespair reside in both places.




In a British court of law, an innocent man isfalsely accused…

The cynical lawyerSydney Carton is boredby the corrupt casebrought against Charles

Darnay . . . Until . . .




And when Sydney Carton first lays eyes on thedoctor’s daughter, Lucie Manette, the lawyer forgets

that he was ever uninspired.

he notices Doctor Manette, thestriking old gentleman willingto vouch for Darnay’scharacter.




Can Sydney Carton grow worthy of anyone’s love?Can he free himself from the prison of his ownweaknesses?

A revolution of the heart takes place.




But how much courage does it take

for an individual to retrieve integrity,for a cynical man like Sydney Carton

to regain his honor?

A pitiless system of justice and a corruptgovernment may eventually be overthrown.



A Tale of Two Cities: Background

Separated by the English channel, London andParis (the capital of France) are around 210 milesaway from one another.




But, in the 1780s,differences in culture andlanguage make Londonersand Parisians regard each

other with suspicion andhostility.




In the 1780s, the British aristocracy had begunto share power with the middle class,

but the Frencharistocracy of the timeallowed the commonpeople almost no inputin their government.




In France, three percent of the population, thearistocracy and the clergy, control the otherninety-seven percent.

Living in elegance,the monarchy andaristocracydeclaredthemselves exempt

from taxation.




In contrast, the general population wasbeset by impossible taxes and risingprices, and often could not afford tobuy bread.

In the rough SaintAntoine streets, Dickenssays, “Hunger. It wasprevalent everywhere.

Hunger.”




Queen Marie Antoinette

may not have reallyanswered “Let them eatcake,”

but she and King Louis XVI

did nothing to help them.

When starving citizens gathered to beg for helpfrom their government,




The fourteenth day of July 1789 was theonset of a revolution that shook all Europe.

The storming of the Bastille(a prison-fortress) and

Brought the french monarchyin France to an end.

the eventual capture of the king and queen intheir quarters atVersailles




The French Revolution is known as one of the most cruel in history.

• The aristocracy most directly responsible for thesuffering of the people were beheaded.

• But many of the over 40,000 people eventuallyguillotined during the Reign

of Terror were entirelyinnocent of the chargesagainst them.



A Tale of Two Cities: Discussion Starters

Discuss (1)Throughout history, shifts in personalcircumstances and shifts in political power affectthe individual.

• Which do you think affects a person’s happinessmore, personal circumstances or the largerworld?• How might the larger world affect a person’scircumstances?



A Tale of Two Cities: Discussion Starters

Discuss (2)Sacrifice is an important theme in A Tale of Two

Cities.

•What things, small or large, do family members

and friends often give up for each other?•Is it possible to value another person’shappiness more than your own?

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