Dickens's Use Of Duality In 'A Tale Of Two Cities'

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Recommended: Examine the concept of dualism

Quotation:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way” (Dickens 3).
Response:
(Q) What age is Dickens talking about? How does he show the dichotomy and unfairness that is happening during this time? (CL) A Tale of Two Cities takes place during revolutionary France. There is also a comparison made with England. This quotes reveals how the rulers of the country are out of touch with common people. (S) When Charles Dickens says “it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair”, his use of metaphor emphasizes to the reader the ongoing conflict people experienced within themselves. This quote also highlights one of the major themes of the book, duality. With his use of words like “light” and “darkness”, Dickens reflects the mirror images of good and evil that will recur in characters and situation throughout the novel. In this quote, duality is presented by England and France. The differences in these countries are many. When the author talks about the concepts of spirituality and justice in each country, the differences are more pronounced. In England, people are enthralled with the idea of spirituality. On the other hand, French follow the church out of fear.

Journal 2
Quotation:
"He opened it in the light of the coach-lamp on that side, and read—first to himself and then aloud: ‘Wait at Dover for Mam’selle. It’s not long, you see, guard. Jerry, say t...

... middle of paper ...

...ork. (CL) Mr. Lorry and Mannete are talking about him being recalled to life. Mannete is distant and cold. He isn’t really conversing. (S) When Charles Dickens uses the words “subtle powers were forever lost to him” he means and emphasizes that Mannete has lost the subtlety of the living world. He doesn’t know if he is ever going to be alive and feel the wind through his hairs again. When Mannete answers with I can’t say, it further emphasizes the idea of the uncertainty going through Mannete’s mind. This quote also reemphasizes the theme of secrecy and mystery. Mannete doesn’t know what he is going to do with his life. Mr. Lorry doesn’t know if Mannete will ever be recalled to life. He doesn’t know if his directions and notions were received. There is a lot of secrecy about who and what Mannete has actually done, and why he doesn’t really want to recalled to life.

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