Tale Of Two Cities Masculinity Analysis

Charles Dickens explores multiple attitudes towards masculinity. The male characters depict different aspects of masculinity and these aspects contribute to the acts they commit in the novel regarding love, sacrifice, justice, and redemption.

Doctor Manette, initially, is depicted as a distracted, broken man that constantly relapses into trembling memories of his incarceration. In order to distract himself from the tortures of prison, he spends his time making shoes. After he overcomes his past with the help of his loving daughter, he becomes a man of great worth. He demonstrates bravery and strength when he dedicates himself to rescue Darnay, his daughter’s husband. Although this act demonstrates the stereotypical, heroic side of masculinity, his ultimate strength and masculinity take its true form in his ability to separate and distinguish the actions of individuals from the actions of larger groups of people. He may not be depicted as a traditional literary hero, but his masculine traits of strength and bravery allow him to provide sympathy and compassion for others.

Charles Darnay does not meet very many standards of masculinity. The only notable traits of masculinity that he exhibits are honesty and bravery. It was brave of him to abandon and betray his own family, and to exhibit honesty when revealing his true

In his case, he is controlled by his ruthless, vengeful wife. She decides what they are going to do and he follows what she says even if his conscious tells him it’s not a good idea. Although he follows the orders of his demanding wife, he proves to be an intelligent revolutionary that is committed to bringing about a better society and justice for his people. He has the potential to be a great, natural leader. His committed sincerity toward the revolution contradicts his kindness towards Manette. His wife views this consideration of kindness as a