Tale Of Two Cities Knitting Symbolism

Often in literature, an author will use symbols to add depth to a novel by creating a range of associations. A symbol is an object, action or event that represents something beyond itself. In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities Written by Charles Dickens and set during the French Revolution, Dickens uses a symbol to represent people in turmoil. The symbol of knitting represents an anger in the novel. Dickens uses the symbol to convey the theme that class struggles usually lead to revolutions.

The knitting of Madam Defarge strikes terror into the hearts of the readers. During the beginning of the novel, the knitting seems like a harmless hobby, but as the novel continues, the word takes on a new and more nefarious meaning. It is the signing away

of thousands of peoples lives. Madam Defarge fuels her rage by imprinting the names of innocent individuals on her knitting, to create a list of people that she wants to be exterminated. As the revolution progressed, knitting becomes a way to pass time, at the same time watch as thousands of primary innocent people lose their heads. When more people begin to take on this hobby, the thirst for blood only grows. All the anger that has been stored up in the people for centuries eventually lead to an uprising, and ultimately, the French Revolution.
Throughout the book, the word knitting continues to bring uneasiness. It conveys the theme that struggles in different classes of society, will usually lead to an uprising. By reading this novel, knitting has taken on a new meaning. The story shows clearly that when a people group are under oppression, it is only a matter of time before they rise stronger than the oppressor. Once a revolution begins, it will take years to satisfy the people thrust for bold.