House of Notes

“A Tale of Two Cities” is a historical novel . Discuss. Or  “A Tale of Two Cities” is related to a most influential incident of history, but it is not complete historical book. Comment.  Answer: “A tale of two cities” is a historical novel related to the period before and all through the French Revolution. Previously, Dickens had written one historical novel, Barnaby Rudge, which dealt with a period of English history. When he wrote “A Tale of Two Cities” he was feeling great interest in history. However, “A Tale of Two Cities” is not a complete story of French Revolution. As a historical novel, “ A Tale of Two Cities” has obvious limitations. It does not give a complete picture of either the English or the French political world of those critical years (1775-1793). In this novel, Dickens describe the beginning of discontent in France, the rising dissatisfaction of people with the aristocrats and the turmoil caused by the public fury and the cruelties committ

What are the major themes in “A Tale of Two Cities”?  Or  Resurrection and renunciation are the major themes of the novel “A Tale of Two Cities”.  Answer: The main themes of  “A Tale of Two Cities” are resurrection and renunciation. Originally resurrection is taken in religious terms as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But here, it is taken in various forms and this main theme is illustrated again and again as it overshadows the social, political and love themes in the novel. Resurrection in Various Forms: Resurrection is found in various forms through various characters. All three men in Lucie’s life are resurrected in some form or other. While her father is resurrected physically and mentally, Charles is resurrected physically and Sydney is resurrected spiritually. Besides physical and spiritual resurrection, various characters in the novel are resurrected in a comic way. Various characters are recalled to life in some way or other. While Charles and Dr. Manet

                       A   Tale of Two Cities                                      By Charles Dickens Plot Summary: It is the year 1775, and England and France are undergoing a period of social violent disturbance and turmoil. Lucie Manette is a young woman who has been raised as an orphan and a ward of Tellson's bank. She learns that her father is alive and has recently been released from prison after eighteen years of unjust imprisonment. She travels to the French suburb of Saint Antoine with Mr. Jarvis Lorry. Mr. Lorry is a longtime Tellson's employee and had managed her father's affairs before his imprisonment. They find her father at the home of Ernest Defarge, who has housed the doctor since his release. Though her father is on the brink of insanity, she solemnly vows that she will recover him. The family returns to London. After time, the doctor begins to recover and resumes his practice. Though, he occasionally returns back to his trance-like state,

Q 1:  What is the significance of the title of the novel “A Tale ofTwo Cities”?    Answer: The title, “A Tale of Two Cities” , is symbolic and significant as the novel describes the incidents revolving around the two cities-London and Paris-against the background of the French Revolution. The events in the two cities are artistically balanced by the writer. The alternate movement between the two cities highlights the contrast between them.   Before the present title is decided upon, Charles Dickens thought about various other titles. In the preface to “A Tale of Two Cities” , he says that the idea of this novel came while he was acting in Frozen Deep. Various other titles came to his mind. He thought about, “Buried Alive”, “One of Those Days”, “The Thread of Gold”, “The Doctor of Beauvais”, “Recalled to Life”. But finally he settled for “A Tale of Two Cities” . “Buried Alive” would only have been Dr. Manett’s story. “Recalled to Life” would also have been appropriat