Download - A Tale of Two Cities Ce
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 1/20
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens
Introduction
Background
Discussion Starters
Menu
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 2/20
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 3/20
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?
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 4/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 5/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction
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!”
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 6/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 7/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction
In a British court of law, an innocent man isfalsely accused…
The cynical lawyerSydney Carton is boredby the corrupt casebrought against Charles
Darnay . . . Until . . .
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 8/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 9/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 10/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Introduction
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 11/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
Separated by the English channel, London andParis (the capital of France) are around 210 milesaway from one another.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 12/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
But, in the 1780s,differences in culture andlanguage make Londonersand Parisians regard each
other with suspicion andhostility.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 13/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 14/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 15/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
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.”
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 16/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
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,
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 17/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
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
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 18/20
A Tale of Two Cities: Background
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.
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 19/20
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?
8/3/2019 A Tale of Two Cities Ce
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/a-tale-of-two-cities-ce 20/20
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?