Charles Dickens’ Intricate Foreshadowing in A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens is a very well known English write who lived from 1812 to 1870. One of Dickens’ most famous novels is titled A Tale of Two Cities. This novel takes place during the period of the French Revolution which plays a huge part in Dicken’s foreshadowing. Foreshowing is a very important aspect in writing because it is a literary device in which the writer can explain to the reader significant plot development details that may be introduced later in the novel. In this specific novel, Charles Dickens illustrates the idea of foreshadowing with diligence and also specific, concrete information. Sidney Carton’s conversation with Lucie Manette, knitting, and the wine cask scene all exemplify and emphasize the idea of foreshadowing in A Tale of Two Cities.

Sidney Carton’s conversation with Lucie Manette is an example of foreshadowing. Mr. Carton confesses to Lucie that he loves her and also states, “ For you, and any dear to you, I would do anything” (Dickens 117). Even though Carton does not distinctly know that he will be sacrificing his life, this phrase foreshadows the ending of the novel, which requires Mr. Carton sacrificing himself to save Darnay. In the chapter when Mr. Carton and Charles Darnay are switching places, Sidney Carton has Darnay write to Lucie, “’I am thankful that the time has come, when I can prove them. That I do so is no subject for regret or grief’” (Dickens 273). Mr. Carton does something for Lucie like he previously stated he would. At the end of the novel, Sidney Carton feels like he achieved and fulfilled his purpose in life by saving Darnay for Lucie.

Knitting, more specifically Madame Defarge’s knitting, also depicts the idea of foreshadowing. Among the carriage driven by Monsieur the Marqui...

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Foreshadowing is an important aspect in Dickens’ novel and he flawlessly portrayed that through the scenes of Sidney Carton’s speech to Lucie, Madame Defarge’s knitting, and the wine cask scene. A number of segments of the phrases from foreshadowing information reappear in another particular scene further on in the novel. This is to help the reader remember back to when the information is first introduced, and then parallel it to the new scene in which it is mentioned. Foreshadowing is huge in A Tale of Two Cities because not only does it help the reader understand certain scenes, this literary device also enhances the reader’s enthusiasm and encourages the reader to keeping reading. In the novel A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens exemplifies foreshadowing in a diligent interesting way in a sense that accurately explains his methods of his idea of foreshadowing.