Examples Of Hypocracy In A Tale Of Two Cities

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Recommended: Critical analysis of a TALE OF TWO CITIES

Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities as a cautionary tale warning against the hypocracy of revolution. During times of unrest, people utilise situational ethics and use ends to justify means among other hypocritical actions. Charles Dickens includes ambiguous characters such as Charles Darnay and the DeFarges to further the theme of this hypocracy in his novel A Tale of Two Cities. Charles Dickens makes it clear to his readers that hypocracy is present through demonstrations of his characters using situational ethics, justifying their crimes, and using ends to justify means. Dickens is the most critical when pertaining to situational ethics. There are many instances in A Tale of Two Cities where characters commit unthinkable actions. However, due to mob mentality or simply the circumstances, other characters don’t even bat an eye. One example of this could be the multiple executions of commoners by the guillotine. In these instances, Dickens …show more content…

Characters that have an element of ambiguity tend to be the most hypocritical. The DeFarges are a great example of this type of ambiguity. In the first two books, readers support the DeFarges. Dickens paints them as oppressed peasants that are rallying their friends and families to fight against injustice. This is definitely a theme that people want to follow. However, they suddenly become ambiguous once revolution actually sents in. Madame DeFarge even goes so far as to cut off the head of a soldier during a battle. Furthermore, they are the accusers that send Charles Darnay to prison in the third book. These characters now lie in a gray area for the readers. Should the reader support them or not? Again, this falls back to situational ethics and the justification of actions. The ambiguity of the DeFarges leave the reader questioning their hypocracy and wondering who to

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