The entire novel “A Tale of Two cities” is based around the phrase “recalled to life.” Each main character throughout the book is faced with a challenge, makes a mistake, then personally redeems themselves or someone else shows them redemption. Dickens shows this theme through several different characters through several different incidents. Death and resurrection perfectly represent Dickens trying to write his theme of redemption.
In the nineteenth century, Dickens was writing a forgettable epic works. "Dickens beliefs and attitudes were typical of the age in which he lived” (Slater 301). The circumstances and financial difficulties caused Dickens’s father to be imprisoned briefly for debt. Dickens himself was put to work for a few months at a shoe-blacking warehouse. Memories of this painful period in his life were to influence much of his later writing, which is characterized by empathy, oppressed, and a keen examination of class distinctions. When certain events influence individuals emotionally and in a negative way, such as the separation between Charles Dickens and his family, the events tend to stay in the person 's mind throughout their lifetime. Jail
Mattie and Grandfather were sent to the Ludington’s, a family who raised animal and had a farm. During the journey to the Ludington’s, they were stopped by soldiers. The soldiers checked to make sure anyone passing through was fever free. Mattie’s Grandfather was asleep. Mattie tried to wake him up in time. After shaking her Grandfather multiple times, he finally woke up. He woke up with a coughing fit. The doctor diagnosed Mattie’s Grandfather with Yellow Fever and demanded Mattie and her Grandfather be sent back to the city. They were both thrown out their carriage and forced to walk back to Philadelphia. After being stranded, Mattie and her Grandfather were left to find shelter and food on their own. While Mattie’s Grandfather settled under a chestnut
From the words of Ebenezer Scrooge, one can see the greed of the rich. The book, A Christmas Carol, showcased the plight of the poor for people in Victorian England. Dickens himself grew up poor, so he wanted to make sure other people did not have to face the same challenges as him. He wanted to give other people a chance at a better life. The world of Charles Dickens is best understood through his own life, industrialized London, and scriptures regarding the poor.
In response to the Industrial Revolution of Victorian England during the 18th century, British society found itself at a crossroad regarding what was deemed significant in human life. The Victorian life was grimy, tough and cruel, and it is made prevalent throughout Charles Dickens’ novella, ‘A Christmas Carol’, that a clear distinction is illustrated between that of the wealthy, aristocrats of England, which was paralleled with those who don’t have wealth, but may have happiness. Dickens integrates the use of satire with the intention to evoke change within his audience, which would result in a more equal England in the future. Moreover, the use of multiple literary techniques as well as the further development of characters, of whom reflect stereotypical members of Victorian England society, Dickens is able to exemplify the need for humanity to transform for the good of all. Dickens establishes greed as a major flaw in society, furthermore, Dickens exposes the greater requirement for generosity to be prevalent within humanity. Additional, Dickens argues that it is never too late to change your ways. Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’ acts as a mirror of Victorian England, confirming thse need for transformation within society.
When reading Charles Dickens stories one can feel as though they belonged in the story itself. The reader is able to establish connections with the characters that come forth in the story. There are many characters in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol that the reader develops a bond. Dickens uses a creative technique to pull in the reader that it is astonishing how he changes the readers’ view of the main character. Although Scrooge was terrible man at the start of the story, he eventually grew on the reader as the story progressed.
Throughout A Tale of Two Cities, numerous examples of sacrifice on a personal and national level can be seen. For instance, the French peasants risk their lives in order to be free from their tyrannical government. Dr. Manette forfeits his freedom to keep his morality Charles Darnay leaves his heritage power so that he will not have to feel guilty of his family’s actions. Most importantly, Sydney Carton sacrifices himself to save the love of his life and everyone she loves as well as forgive humankind for their sins. In every case, Dickens suggests that although the process of sacrificing oneself is painful, one must do so in order to gain strength and happiness. For the French, they were able to obtain a peaceful society that they desired. Dr. Manette receives his daughter’s love and gains power in this new society that he never had before. Darnay earned Lucie’s heart in marriage and is working to make his own money like he
1) In one of Charles Dickens’ most famous stories, A Christmas Carol, he drops hints about his views on society during Victorian England, which was the period that Dickens lived in. 2) Throughout the novella, Dickens implies his thoughts on social justice that was around him; several pieces of evidence are provided and they all paint a picture of the way the higher class citizens overlooked and disregarded the poorer members of society. In addition, Dickens indicates the way of change that he desired for the rich. 3a) Initially, Dickens uses Scrooge as an example of the wealthy civilians throughout his time due to the fact that Scrooge refuses to donate to the poor and suggests the prisons, Union workhouses, The Treadmill and Poor Law as options
The industrial revolution woke up the sense of humanity in people, yet at the same time It turned it off. To begin with, from the year 1819 through 1901, Great Britain was beginning to face an all new era called the Victorian Era. In fact, this era was named like that, because of queen Victoria. Also, this era was very important because it introduced medical advances, scientific knowledge, and technological knowledge that helped increase work efficiency. However, not all the things that occurred were great. One of the things that were very outrageous, were the working conditions of the employees. As a matter of fact, there were writers, like Charles Dickens with “A Christmas Carol”, Benjamin Disraeli with “Sybil”, and Elizabeth Gaskell with
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” (1) This opening line has set a precedent for foils in literature for decades to come. The use of a foil is meant to draw attention to a character’s flaws therefore making an opposing character’s strengths more visible. This novel exemplifies foiling through characters such as Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay, as well as the settings. It is for these reasons Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, as a whole, works as a foil.
In life some writers try to change society. Charles Dickens the author of A Christmas Carol and George Sims “A Christmas Day in the Workhouse” helped change people’s minds through their writing. There writing helped people realize that the poor was treated cruelly and would work for long hours, and that no one rich or in the middle class would help. Charles Dickens and George Gims wanted to make a positive change in society.
In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens tells the story in the perspective of a young boy growing up in England during the Victorian Era. Philip “Pip” Pirrip is the protagonist, where we discover his life experiences and expectations through his narration. Pip’s sister, Mrs. Joe, and her husband, Mr. Joe, greatly influence his childhood. He meets many people later on who teaches him that not everyone will be happy and what it really means to have “great expectations”. Through Pip’s journey, Dickens suggests that happiness becomes achievable if one learns to accept and fix their flaws.
In the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip, an orphan raised by his cruel sister, Mrs. Joe, and her kindly husband Joe Gargery, a blacksmith, becomes very ashamed of his background after a sudden chain of events which drives him to a different social class. Pip's motive to change begins when he meets a beautiful girl named Estella who is in the upper class. As the novel progresses, Pip attempts to achieve the greater things for himself. Overtime, Pip realizes the dangers of being driven by a desire of wealth and social status. The novel follows Pip's process from childhood innocence to experience. He undergoes a contrasting change of character, kind, ambitious and in some cases, immature.
Similarities and differences emerge between many characters in Charles Dickens’s book, A Tale of Two Cities, but the most outstanding examples of the comparison and contrast between two characters is represented by Lucie Manette and Madame Defarge. In the book, Lucie’s father Alexander Manette gets released from a French prison after being imprisoned 18 years, only meeting his daughter after his imprisonment. When he gets out of prison, her father goes and lives at the Defarge’s wine shop until Lucie goes and retrieves her desolate minded father. Madame Defarge is the wife of Ernest Defarge, the man who takes care of Alexander Manette at his wine shop. The Defarges are revolutionaries who are seeking to destroy the monarchy in France. Lucie and Madame Defarge differ in their character traits, but are similar in their devotion to their goals.
Charles Dickens is an influential author for all ages. He has written many books that children know very well, including A Christmas Carol, with the character, Ebenezer Scrooge, finding his love for Christmas again. Dickens has also written some more mature books with topics that relate to our world today, such as Great Expectations, were the young boy, Pip, deals with an abusive family. In Charles Dickens books, we read many different themes that all have one thing in common: good v.s. evil.