A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens Summary, Main Characters, Introduction of A Tale of Two Cities

 

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

An Introduction

Charles Dickens was undoubtedly the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.

MAJOR NOVELS OF DICKENS:

Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Hard Times, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities

A TALE OF TWO CITIES:

Like other novels of Dickens, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ was also published in a serial form in a weekly magazine ‘All the ear Round’ in 1858. Later, he compiled all chapters and published them as a novel written in three books.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

The novel deals with the story of Lucie, Darnay and Carton. This story is placed in the background of the French Revolution (1789). It presents the pictures of the strict laws of taxation, land owning system, exploitation of the poor, capturing of Bastille etc.

Dickens has presented the idea that the lives of the common people who had nothing to do with these political events were ruined in this revolution.

MAJOR CHARACTERS:

1.   Charles Darnay or Charles Evermonde: He is a French aristocrat and hates all aristocrats of his class who have exploited the poor. In the novel, he is captured by the revolutionaries and put to punishment just because he belonged to an aristocratic family. Often he has been considered as the hero of this novel.

2.   Dr. Alexander Manette: He is the father of Lucie (heroine). He is imprisoned for 18 years and loses his mental balance. When he is freed, he is supported by his daughter Lucie.

3.   Jarvis Lorry: He is a banker and a good friend of Dr. Manette and supports Dr. Manette and Lucie.

4.   Lucie Manette: She, daughter of Dr. Manette, is the heroine of the novel. She suffers a lot. She passes her childhood as an orphan. When she is married to Charles Darnay, her husband is captured b the revolutionaries and is sentenced to death.

5.   Madame Defarge: She becomes a leading figure among the revolutionaries. She takes keen interest in the bloodshed of the aristocrats. She is fearless, heartless and blood-thirsty lady.

6.   Sydney Carton: The hero of the novel, Sydney Carton is always busy in bringing happiness in the lives of others. He loves Lucie and sacrifices his own life and saves her husband Charles Darnay.

SETTING:

·       All actions of the novel take place at two places – London and Paris.

·       The novel presents the time around French Revolution. It presents the political and social background of England from 1775 to 1790.

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