Lavender In A Tale Of Two Cities

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Waves of purple flutter exquisitely in the soft breeze blowing over the garden, and the air fills with the sweet scent of lavender. The lavender seems to belong in this garden, brightening the garden with its beauty and lending its medicinal properties to the garden’s owner. Lavender is an ideal plant with qualities of domesticity, beauty, and redemption that reflect those of the ideal woman. Many people through history have seen the comparisons between women and flowers and aptly compared them. In Charles DickensA Tale of Two Cities, Lucie Manette possesses qualities similar to those of lavender, the ideal flowering plant, by virtue of her faultless womanhood that perfectly conforms to societal standards for women. Throughout his …show more content…

Just as lavender invites the appreciation of others by because of its beauty, Lucie inspires the love and affection of others by virtue of her beauty. Lucie’s beauty and its effects on others are illustrated when Stryver comments that, “she is charming creature…worthy of good fortune” (164; bk.2, ch. 11). Lavender’s appearance draws people to it; Lucie’s charm and beauty also infatuate men, exemplified by Stryver who decides to propose to Lucie based solely on her physical beauty and outward charm. In general, lavender and Lucie are revered for their beauty. Lavender is planted in gardens to add beauty; similarly, Lucie is gorgeous and adds beauty to her home, even in the darkest situations. Lucie’s continuing people is illustrated when she is trapped in Paris by her husband’s imprisonment, yet manages to “[remain] very pretty and comely” (327, bk. 3, ch. 5). Lavender brightens its surroundings even in dark times; comparably, even in the darkest time of her life and separated from her husband because of his imprisonment, Lucie Manette remains beautiful and brightens her dark, dismal surroundings with her continued physical and spiritual beauty. Hence, just as lavender is known for its beauty that entices others and brightens its surroundings, Lucie Manette is adored for her attractiveness and ability to lighten even the …show more content…

Charles Dickens uses Lucie Manette to portray the ideal woman who is like lavender, an ideal plant. Lavender belongs in gardens and brightens them with its beauty and medicinal properties, just as Lucie belongs in the home and improves it with her beauty, domesticity, and healing abilities. Dickens’ portrayal of the flower-like Lucie Manette highlights the flaws in society’s views of women. Women are not flowers; if a woman’s qualities correspond perfectly to that of a flower, then that woman is too good to be true. Hence, comparing Lucie Manette to a flower highlights her perfection and illustrates the unattainable nature of that perfection because of its resemblance to a

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