A Tale of Inhumanity

A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, occurs in two cities, Paris and London, during the commencement of the French Revolution. Revolution is a major theme in this novel, which makes it one of his most gloomy stories. Dickens’ portrayal of the French Revolution proves the inhumanity of humans towards one another. Although the theme of revolution carries a dark tone, Dickens uses his expertise to include happy moments that lighten the story. A Tale of Two Cities incorporates the theme of inhumanity through many metaphors, such as “the great blue flies,” knitting, and the sea.

The “great blue flies” symbolize London’s citizens, their thirst for human suffering, and their reliance on others’ pain. Dickens first introduces the flies during Charles Darnay’s trial, and “the buzz of the great blue flies grew loud again” (Dickens 52) when he is acquitted. The confused onlookers begin to chatter and “buzz,” as flies do. The people have one desire, which is to feast their eyes upon the torment of others. Instead of exuberance over Charles’ acquittal, the people overlook the joy because they crave only his torment. After the trial, “a loud buzz swept into the street as if the baffled blue flies were dispersing in search of other carrion,” (59) as the disappointed citizens flooded into the streets. The French citizens are hungry for pain; they desire something else to feast their eyes upon, such as the terror of the Guillotine. This moment is one that highlights heartlessness in the story, as the citizens go in search of others’ suffering to feast upon, as a fly gorges on dead meat. The blue flies in the story are the London citizens who enjoy the pain and suffering of those in the courtroom and of the convicts.

Throughout the novel,...

... middle of paper ...

... day of the storming of the Bastille, and the great sea of angry citizens is so powerful and shows pity to no one.

Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, has many metaphors, including “the great blue flies,” knitting and the sea to explore the important theme of human inhumanity towards the fellow man into his story. The metaphors are perfect symbols to explain how insensitive and cruel people can be towards one another, despite their pain and suffering. Nevertheless, Dickens includes not only moments for the reader to feel empathy for the victims of the revolution, but also moments of love. This story shows that inhumanity towards the fellow man is a problem in societies that will never be overcome; however, the world would be a better place if everyone strived to have compassion and respect for everyone, regardless of social class, religion, race, or money.