Anthony-A+Tale+Of+Two+Cities

= =

= By:Charles Dickens =

Charles John Huffman Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. His father was the clerk in the navy pay office, and his mother was Elizabeth nee Barrow. He had one older brother named Francis, and six younger siblings. His father, John Dickens was sent to Marshalsea prison because the house expenses were rising, and he was in debt. At age twelve Charles was sent to Warren's Shoe Blacking Factory to help support the family.He lived in a boarding house in Camden town, and was only able to visit his father on Sundays. At a very young age he was an orphan, and doing child labour. Many of his characters are based on his own experiences for example, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Philip Pirrip. His father was able to send him to Wellington House Academy in London as a pupil from 1824-1827. In 1827 the Dickens were once again kicked out of their home for unpaid rent, and Charles was forced to leave school. He then got a job as a clerk in the law firm of Ellis and Blackmore. He learned many different styles of writing and became a court reporter. Charles spent all of his spare time reading in library's, and studying acting. In 1830 he fell in love with Maria Beadnell, and a few years later her father sent her to school in Paris. He then moved out, and lived in Furnival's Inn in Holborn. His first article was published in the // Monthly Magazine, // and he began reporting for many different businesses. In 1870 Charles Dickens died, and went down as one of the greatest writers of all time writing more than thirty four books, and more than twenty seven short stories.

=Plot Synopsis =

=
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."(Dickens 1)The story "A Tale of Two Cities" is a story of the uprisings in France. The story begins with a man named Jerry Cruncher who is chasing a mail coach holding Jarvis Lorry. He delivers a letter to Lorry telling him that he needs to wait at Dover(the city he is traveling to) for a young woman. He meets the young woman, named Lucie Manette. She tells him that she thought her father was dead but he has been found in Paris. Lorry Brings Lucie to Paris to meet her father. =====

=
They travel to a city near Paris called Saint Antoine. They meet the the Defarge's, the owners of a local wine shop. They are the leaders of a group called the "Jacques" who are revolutionaries. They are also housing Lucie's father because he is in such agony after his imprisonment in [|the Bastille]for eighteen years. He sits by himself all day, in the dark making shoes. They are finally united, but Dr. Manette ( Lucie's Father) is still distressed. =====

=
In 1780 a man named Charles Darnay is on trial for treason. Two british spies are trying to frame the innocent Darnay for their own profit. A man in the court room, Sydney Carton defends Darnay and saves him from the [|Guillotine] (the French death penalty). Charles begins to become very fond of Lucie Manette, and they start to fall in love. The French government discovers many things of Charles past, and his true identity. The best of times is now beginning to turn in to the worst times. The Defarge's lead an attack on The Bastille were Dr. Manette was held prisoner. They do this as a revolt against the French aristocracy. Monsieur Defarge then discovers a letter in Dr. Manette's jail cell that will change someone's life forever. =====

=
Will Lucie and Charles ever be able to be together? Will Dr. Manette be sent back to the place that he suffered so long ago? Will France ever be able to be at peace with itself? "A Tale of Two Cities" shows the unending fight of Lucie and Charles, and the fight of every French persons quest for freedom. In the end someone will feel the sharp, smooth blade of the Guillotine." It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done. It is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."(Dickens 348) =====

=Criticism =

What worked? I personally enjoyed reading "A Tale Of Two Cities." There were many things in this book that I found extraordinary. The way that Dickens is able to connect all of the characters to each other is very impressive. He is able to link every characters story to another characters story. Another thing that I found great about this book is how descriptive Dickens is. He makes sure that he doesn't miss one detail, and he makes sure that the reader is able to picture the description in their mind. For example: //"Her golden hair which she wore in long curls, had been hurriedly pushed aside, and fell down over her neck. Advancing his hand by little and little, he took it up and looked at it. In the midst of the action he went astray,and, with another deep sigh, fell to work at his shoemaking."//(Dickens,37) The last thing that I found great about "A Tale Of Two Cities" was how Charles Dickens made every character represent a different part of the French society. Every character symbolizes something different in the French Revolution which makes " A Tale of Two Cities" truly a breathtaking book.

What didn't work? It is no doubt that Charles Dickens is a great writer, but there were a few things in " A Tale of Two Cities" that I didn't like. There were many flash backs in this book, and also many times were the story would jump forward a few years. This made it hard to understand what the time was in the book, and if it was a flashback or not. Also there are so many characters in this book, and it many points I lost track of who is who. Another thing that was very confusing is Dickens switches between different characters stories many times, and sometimes its hard to tell who he is talking about. The last thing that I didn't like about "A Tale of Two Cities" was there were points in the book that seemed unnecessary. He would go on and on about things that were not necessary to the story at all, and it makes the reader hard to understand the book. I found myself going back and reading the same things over and over again just so I could understand the story.

=Literary Information = The book "A Tale of Two Cities" is a historical novel. It talks a lot about the history of The French Revolution, and what the government was going through. Also there is a lot about the Revolutionaries, and what they did to the government. This book is also an adventure book. The characters face many different adventures. It could also be classified as a mystery because there are parts in this book that are very suspenseful and sometimes it is very hard to predict what is going to happen. "A Tale of Two Cities" is not like the work that Charles Dickens normally did. There is a lot of narration, and not a lot of dialogue. =Recommendation = I would recommend this book because it is very historical, and I was able to learn a lot from it. There is a a lot of suspense and it is hard to tell what is going to happen next. There are many different twists and turns in this book. Also Charles Dickens is a very descriptive writer and I was able to picture every detail in my mind. If you like history than you will like Charles Dickens' // A Tale of Two Cities //. It was hard to put this book down and I wanted to read more, and more until I was able to find out the shocking ending.

Other Books You May Enjoy: Nate-The Ox-Bow Incident Grant-Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde

Other Books in This Genre: Aaron- A Farewell To Arms Jonathan-Killer Angels


 * Works Cited**

Merriman, C.D."Charles Dickens"2006. March 22,2009 []