A Tale of Two Cities | Literary Analysis Critic Review

A Tale of Two Cities (1859) by Charles Dickens 

A Literary Analysis Critic by Zyd A. Reyes

Overview:

               

       A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, published in 1859, immerses readers in the contrasting worlds of London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The historical setting of the novel adds depth to the story, vividly portraying the social disparities and political unrest of the late 18th century.

Plot/Summary:

         The novel begins after the release of Dr. Alexandre Manette from Bastille, North Tower, Paris after wrongfully imprisoned by the aristocrats. He reunited with his daughter, Lucie Manette, and was resurrect to life. Charles Darnay, a nobleman who was ultimately hated by most people was relocated to England where he meet Lucie Manette and falls in love.

          Years later, a revolution burst in the city of Paris lead by Monsieur Defrage and Therese Defrage along with its Jacques and common people to turn all aristocrats down who failed to give the people's need and shatters their dignity. Darnay's return to Paris lead to arrest and was accused of being emigrant but was re-arrested again for being part of the Evremonde family even he withdrew all the inheritance from the family because of the disgust and its alliance to aristocrats. He was then sentence to death by Guillotine by the next morning. However Sydney Carton, who loves Lucie unrequitedly and sees her as his inspiration for change, switches places with Darnay. In a profound act of self-sacrifice, Carton faces the guillotine, finding purpose and redemption in his final moments.

Watch and read the references given below to understand the novel.

Summarized version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV-o2lZu2jw&t=523s&pp=ygUUYSB0YWxlIG9mIHR3byBjaXRpZXM%3D

Animation movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj4-C41J0SA&pp=ygUUYSB0YWxlIG9mIHR3byBjaXRpZXM%3D

Full Novel Textbook: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/98/old/2city12p.pdf

Literature Critical Approaches

In literature, there are several approaches to critic such work from the author, this is important to see the various perspective and its relevance to the world of literature.

Historical Approach: In the novel, it was based of the real event in Paris, France the 'French Revolution' happened in 1789 to 1799. The revolution itself was a significant event of French history as the country witness its overthrow of the monarchy and the birth of Republic constitution to the land. Dickens uses aristocrats, people and social issues to the story suggesting the complexities of power, social class and justice.

Marxist Criticism Approach: A Marxist focuses on the classical struggles happened in the novel. The French Revolution was used as a background which serves tensions between common people and oppressive ruling class. Dickens critiques both aristocrats and the oppressive power of the monarchy, especially the infamous expenses of the reign of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

Psychological Criticism Approach: From a psychological approach, in this novel the character of Dr. Alexandre Manette and Sydney Carton illustrates the traumas, depression, identity and redemption. Dr. Manette was imprisoned in Bastille for 18 years and shoemaking is the only companion of his imprisonment which become his mental illnesses despite of his release. Carton's self-sacrifice for the happiness of Lucie's family reflect the feeling of inadequacy and his purpose and redemption which makes him a fallen hero of the story.

Feminist Criticism Approach: A feminist approach explores the role of the women in every literature. In the novel, this is focuses to Lucie Manette and Mrs. Therese Defarge which portrays a significant role in story. Lucie Manette was described as innocent, loving mother and daughter of Dr. Manette, nurturing and compassionate, yet passive and largely defined by her relationships with male characters. Mrs. Defarge embodies with resilience, justice, vengeance and unity figure for some revolutionaries, which contrasts with traditional expectations for women but also reflects the dehumanizing effects of violence.

New Historicism Criticism Approach: The work of Charles Dickens examines the relationship between the text and the powerful structure of time, including the perspective of Dickens as English writer portraying the french revolution to create a novel. This analysis is relevant to use history to comment on the contemporary English society, expressing their thoughts, anxieties and ideas about social change and revolution.

Each of these criticism approaches help to understand the deep layers of the novel. The 'Tale of Two Cities' addresses such themes like justice, love, trauma, revolution against the uprising social problem that exist till now.