Tale Of Two Cities Essay

In the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, the French Revolution is portrayed by many views and themes throughout it entirety. Dickens uses the difference in social class to ignite the revolutionaries’ anger towards the aristocrats and begin the Revolution. The use of imagery and figurative language represents the author’s view on the subject at hand. Through the use of metaphors, echoes, secrets, and footsteps come to resemble the French Revolution. The actions taken up by surrounding rivals, companions, enemies and friends can echo in others’ fate, proving to be more disasterous. The idea of the sea represents the patriots’ desire for retribution. They will stop at nothing until they acquire their revenge. The fire fueled by

The echos of the footsteps slowly fade and the overflowed sea begins to stall into a small tide. The violence ends and all that is left is redemption and love.

The disparity between social classes plays a significant role in Dickens’ writing. Aristocracy is valued to such a great extent that some characters disguise themselves to gain the trust of others. However, others seem to be blinded by the high regard paid to the wealthy and are caused to live haughty and pompous lifestyles. For example, “Yes. It took four men, all ablaze with gorgeous decoration, and the Chief of them unable to exist with fewer than two gold watches in his pocket emulative of the noble and chaste fashion set by Monseigneur, to conduct the happy chocolate to Monseigneur’s lips” (Dickens ). The very existence of aristocracy is being ridiculed by Dickens through the Monseigneur. The fact that he is not even named proves his sole purpose as a representation of the wealthy class. Contrastingly, the shocking unimportance of the poor proves the author’s opinion on the Revolution. When Gaspard’s child is killed in the streets, the Marquis’ insensitive reaction shows how insignificant the lower class is to him: “He threw out a gold coin for the valet to pick up and