The End is Here (5)

I have to admit, I was honestly not sure what to expect when I decided to read A Tale of Two Cities. It was written by the well-known author Charles Dickens, I knew, which had to mean something. However, I was unprepared for the way the meticulous details Dickens placed into each character’s thoughts and actions would be tactfully and skillfully woven together to produce such a stunning ending. A Tale of Two Cities was a wonderful combination of history, suspense, and mystery that kept my interest throughout the entire story. A more incredulous reader than I could not have been found as I tried to digest the many events that occurred at the end of A Tale of Two Cities, and I am overall very satisfied with the ending of the novel.
I do not want to ruin the novel for one who has not read it yet, so I will try to keep it general enough as to not disclose any big surprises Dickens left in store for the end of the book. One character that really stood out to me from the middle to the end of the book is Sydney Carton. Throughout most of the story, he seemed like a fairly static character. He had his moments, yet he seemed relatively uninvolved in the major events of the story. However, Carton developed into an extremely important, dynamic character, living up to his father’s mantra, “ ‘I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet he shall live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die,’ ” (Dickens 343). Carton loved Lucie Manette as much as Charles Darnay did, so getting over Charles and Lucie’s marriage was a big stumbling block for him. However, he showed exceptional perseverance and continued to live life even as he watched the love of his life become a wife and a mother. Towards the end of the novel, Carton (finally) got to kiss Lucie, and as he did he was reported by Little Lucie to have said, “ ‘A life you love,’ ” (Dickens 366). This can be interpreted in numerous ways, but to me it captures the essence of Sydney’s love for Lucie. Based on the events following the kiss, it makes sense that Sydney told Lucie she would have a life she loved. Again, I do not want to give away that part of the book, so I leave it up to you to read the book and find out! As all of these events fell into place, I noticed that Sydney Carton’s character developed with the idea of love.
This pattern makes sense, as Sydney was so entwined with Lucie and Charles and their relationship. Towards the beginning of the novel, Sydney’s character acted as bump on the near perfect road of Lucie and Charles’ loving relationship. His love surfaced again towards the end of the story when Carton made a huge sacrifice out of his love for Lucie. Prior to this, Lucie and Charles were each heartbroken that they might never see each other again. In response to Lucie’s anguish, Sydney decided to do what many others would probably have been unable or unwilling to do. It showed great character and strength that Carton was willing to do this, and it made a lasting impression on my ideas of love. Sydney’s actions were somewhat ironic, as at this point in time, Sydney was the last thing on Charles’ and Lucie’s minds, yet they were the first thing on his mind. This disconnect was displayed through Charles’ action of writing to those he loved most, although, “He never thought of Carton. His mind was so full of the others, that he never once thought of him,” (Dickens 377). The romantic triangle formed between these three characters shows the power and strength of love, even in times of deepest despair. I think that Miss Pross summed up the power of love nicely after her meeting with Madame Defarge, “ ‘...the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger than hate...’ ” (Dickens 397).
One of the final surprises for me in the story was how Miss Pross developed. Similar to Sydney Carton, Miss Pross seemed like a static character who offered constant support to the Darnays. However, she was usually in the background, never really the center of attention. All of this changed during Miss Pross’ final encounter with Madame Defarge. She demonstrated parts of her that I, as a reader, would never have guessed she possessed, all because of her undying love for her Ladybird (Lucie).
On the other hand, I became more and more disgusted with Madame Defarge as I neared the end of the book. She was always central to the violent, rebellious, French Revolution aspect of the novel, yet her lust for death and blood became more and more apparent as the story progressed. I find this trait to be rather repulsive, so I was rather pleased at Madame Defarge’s exit from the story.
One final thought, Doctor Alexandre Manette has been a source of mystery for the entire story. However, the reader is finally allowed the small chance to enter his past and mind to discover what the great doctor’s life had really been like. The buildup to this scene was immense and well thought out, and so many of the characters’ actions and thoughts, especially Doctor Manette’s, came together after reading it. Do not let the small print and worldly reputation of the author dissuade you from reading this book. The excitement lacking in the beginning of the novel certainly set the stage for the incredible ending, and this book may take you on a journey through literature that you will never forget.

The One and Only, Man of Mystery, Doctor Manette! (5)

A final infographic, this time from the point of view of Doctor Manette. His character was very mysterious and complex, so this infographic is an attempt at understanding the vast thoughts he must have been thinking in his head. As always, click on the picture for a closer view!

Nearing the End... (4)

King Solomon, rich in wisdom, wealth and power. Solomon Pross, beloved brother of sweet Miss Pross (Lucie Manette’s nanny). It was King Solomon’s sin, however, that caused his profitable kingdom to split during the reign of his son, Rehoboam. Solomon Pross’ cold and cruel manner towards his sister was slowly and surely breaking her heart. You might be wondering, What do these two people-- one biblical king, one (fictional) 18th century French spy-- have in common? And why is she even bringing them up? These two men may be more similar than you think, and these similarities may help us to predict how Solomon Pross’ character will influence the upcoming events in A Tale of Two Cities.
Solomon is a word of Hebrew origin that means “peace”. Ironically enough, Solomon Pross is a spy between the French and English governments, and spies are often used to deliver and carry secret messages during times of war. The fact that Solomon Pross’ name means the exact opposite of his profession can foreshadow much about his character. As Solomon Pross’ name and identity contradict themselves, I can consider this to be a warning: watch out for Solomon Pross. He may look harmless from the outside, but in reality carry a double-edged sword. So how does this relate back to King Solomon?
During his reign, King Solomon’s kingdom was wealthy and flourishing. However, shortly following his death this seemingly stable kingdom split. The fact that King Solomon’s legacy fell apart after his death is similar to how Solomon’s and Miss Pross’ relationship deteriorated after Solomon assumed his second identity. It is clear that although Miss Pross is in awe of her brother, Solomon does not feel the same way. I wonder if this skewed view will change, and if so, how much, as Miss Pross begins to appreciate the other side of her brother.
The relationship between Miss Pross and her brother brings me up to another topic of interest: blind love. The idea of blind love relates to a variety of different characters mentioned by Dickens. I originally predicted that love would be a key subject approached by Dickens, but I was unsure of how this would play out between the characters. As I near the end of the book, however, this idea is beginning to become clearer.
Miss Pross loves her brother very much, and can often be heard boasting of his incredible abilities and achievements to anyone who can listen. However, I am beginning to get the idea that this passionate feeling is only one-sided, which supports my theory of their relationship reflecting the idea of blind love. By definition, blind love is usually passionate and/or romantic feelings towards someone without really seeing them for their worth; hence, “blind”. Towards the beginning of the story, I am not sure Miss Pross appreciated that her love was blind. However, I believe she is beginning to realize this, for she states, “ ‘How dreadfully unkind in a brother nothing has ever turned my love away from!’ cried Miss Pross, ‘to give me such a greeting, and show me no affection,’ ” (Dickens 324). I am curious to continue reading to find out if Miss Pross will confront her brother about their rapidly deteriorating relationship. It takes great courage to do something like this to one you do not love, so I think it will demonstrate great character for Miss Pross to be able to achieve this with someone she loves very much.
On another note, I have always been wondering in the back of my mind how much Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton really love Lucie Manette. Although Lucie is as sweet as caring as you can get, she seems to be somewhat of a shallow person. It forces me to consider, Is there a potential other motive for Charles Darnay’s or Sydney Carton’s unprecedented love for Lucie? My thoughts are immediately drawn to Doctor Manette, Lucie’s father, who still hold some prestige even in his crippled condition. It is certainly beneficial to have connections in high places; as Mr. Darnay learned, it was no coincidence that Doctor Manette was able to get Darnay out of La Force. However, I am wary to immediately accept such negative thoughts, as they would cast a shadow upon some of the only sources of light in the story. I am anticipating the next few chapters of the book in order to discover how my predictions and thoughts really do play out.
On final thought, the character of Lucie Manette has kept my interest for the entire time. I often wonder, How can someone be so good and selfless all the time? Lucie’s kindhearted demeanor reminds me of the character Melanie, from Gone With the Wind. I am not sure if you have read Gone With the Wind, but if you did you may remember the striking contrast between main character Scarlett O’Hara and Melanie Wilkes. Both young women at the time the story takes place, Melanie ends up marrying Ashley Wilkes, the love of Scarlett’s life. Furious, Scarlett vows to hate Melanie and make her life miserable in revenge, but she is eventually unable to. Melanie is such a sweet, kind person to anyone and everyone that Scarlett grudgingly accepts her as a friend. Thus far in the book, Lucie is exhibiting the same sweet, caring, character traits that Melanie did. These similarities may foreshadow things both good and bad for Lucie’s future.
Melanie died a young woman, yet her goodness still touched and impacted the lives of everyone around her. I am hoping that Lucie will be able to live a long and happy life, unlike Melanie, but continue to enchant those around her with her sweet, kind spirit, similar to Melanie. I am excited to finish the book and discover the fates of the many characters that have kept my curiosity and interest for so long.

It's all about Lucie (4)

This infographic shows how Lucie Darnay seems to be at the center of all the connections between the characters. As I continue reading, it becomes more evident of how Lucie is the thread that holds everyone around her together. Again, click to see a larger version!

Also, please check out this link to a glogster from the viewpoint of Little Lucie Darnay. Little Lucie's character is shadowed by the characters of her mother, father, and grandfather, so I thought it would be unique to approach the novel from her childlike point of view. Link

The Suspense Builds... (3)

The suspense and mystery builds as the characters in A Tale of Two Cities race towards the heart of the French Revolution. As Dickens places the time period of the story more into perspective, I learned that my original predictions of when the story takes place were wrong. A Tale of Two Cities takes place during the French Revolution, not in its aftermath. Feel free to watch this portion of a documentary about the beginning of the French Revolution, including the National Assembly, Tennis Court Oath, and the storming of the Bastille:

This revelation forced me to wonder, How will the events of the French Revolution influence the characters’ actions? Also, how will some of the characters’ actions during the French Revolution affect other characters, during the revolution or farther into the future?
One thing that fascinates me about Dickens is his ability to understand the complex connections between people. Many of the names Dickens chose for his characters are a direct result of this ability. Manette, the French last name of Doctor and Lucie Manette, means lever in English. The term lever can be used in a variety of ways, but it is most commonly known as a tool that holds things together. Both Lucie and her father exhibit this trait in different, yet still fitting ways. Lucie Manette is the woman who holds her family together. She is the sole individual who can comfort her father when his past threatens to consume his present, and the love she displays towards him, her husband, and her daughter is limitless. In the words of Charles Darnay, “What is the magic secret, my darling, of your being everything to all of us, as if there were only one of us, yet never seeming hurried, or having too much to do?” (Dickens 242). Lucie Manette’s caring, loving presence is one element of the story that has not wavered at all (at least, not yet). Doctor Manette, on the other hand, has kept living life, with a presence as strong and unbending as a lever, no matter the unfortunate events bestowed upon him as a young man. This trait of perseverance shows what a strong character Doctor Manette is, and it makes his past life all the more interesting for the reader.
The character of Doctor Manette has remained fascinating to me from the very beginning of the book. With his past shrouded in mystery, it becomes hard for the reader to tell how much he is changing and developing, and how much he is just reverting back to his old ways. To be honest, I am a little disappointed and frustrated at Dickens’ lack of revealing information in regards to Doctor Manette’s past. However, I think it will be worth finding out the secrets behind Doctor Manette when they finally are exposed; it makes for a more interesting read building up to the truth behind Doctor Manette’s past. The reader currently knows that Doctor Manette was imprisoned for many years for an unknown reason, and youthfulness was stripped from him at an early age. It has already been revealed that his wife died a young woman, and Doctor Manette did not know his daughter for the greater part of his life. This lack of family connectivity early in his life may be a reason that Doctor Manette has had trouble forming lasting, tight connections with those around him. When he is upset and anxious, instead of opening up to those around him, Doctor Manette prefers to keep to himself and make shoes, a skill he has refined through the years. This habit displays the insecure, child like part of Doctor Manette. It is ironic that in some ways, Lucie Manette is more of the mother to Doctor Manette than he was ever a father to her. The reasons for this go back to Doctor Manette’s imprisonment, both in the Bastille and with the Defarges. When the Defarges took the lead in storming the Bastille, there were only 7 prisoners inside. However, the Bastille was still a symbol of oppression to the French people because of the many years that innumerable amounts of prisoners were held and tortured there. This would probably be more of what the Bastille was like during the time that Doctor Manette was held there. To find out more about what life in the Bastille may have been like for the common Doctor Manette, click here or here!
Dickens also has the unusual ability to create complex stories that would not make sense if not for the actions of a variety of people. For example, the French Revolution affects Dickens’ characters in many ways, and the effect on some characters is solely because of the actions of other characters. The Defarges, middle class French businessmen, are the ones literally fueling the French Revolution’s flames. The couple led the siege of the Bastille, a huge success in a variety of ways. During the siege, Monsieur Defarge crept into a tower of the building, which the reader then learns was Doctor Manette’s prison! After going through Doctor Manette’s old mattress and finding nothing he was looking for, Monsieur Defarge torches the room and its contents. This sparked my curiousity; what was Defarge looking for? How will these actions affect Doctor Manette himself, as well as Charles and Lucie Darnay, and Mr Lorry, back home in England?

What do you see? (3)

The second in a series of infographics... What do you see? The array of events around the Darnay family hints at the mystery surrounding Lucie and Doctor Manette's past, while the future does not look so bright for Charles Darnay. There is only one way to find out what will really happen next to the Darnay family... that is, to continue reading!

Again, click on the image to see an enlarged version!

Knot Your Typical Knitting... (2)

As I delve further into the book, my perspectives about various characters are constantly changing. Madame Defarge is a prime example of this. She was introduced in the beginning of the book as the wife of Monsieur Defarge with a passion for knitting. My original thoughts in regard to this pastime were along the lines of, That’s weird...I wonder why she does that? I simply disregarded her character as worthless and unimportant. However, now that I am much further along in the story, I am beginning to see how valuable and important Madame Defarge really is.
Madame Defarge’s knitting is not to be overlooked, as I originally perceived. In fact, it is what holds together all of her and her husband’s records and secret information about spies and other shady characters. What Madame actually knits is a code, and by looking back at her work she can tell exactly who she and her husband were talking to, what they said, and what they looked like. I find this to be extremely impressive and fascinating, and something to keep in mind as I continue reading A Tale of Two Cities.

The Plot Thickens (2)

After a monotonous beginning, this novel is getting more exciting and easier to follow. The main characters so far include Mr. James Lorry, Miss Manette, her father Monsieur Manette, and Monsieur Defarge. This hodge-podge of characters-- Mr. Lorry, a businessman in the successful English firm Tellson’s, Miss Manette, a beautiful young lady, her father, the brilliant scientist-gone-mad, and Monsieur Defarge, the owner of a wine shop and inn-- seem to be like pieces of a puzzle that unexpectedly fit together. These four main characters, each from a different background and walk of life, play important roles in each others’ lives.

Not much is known about Miss Manette’s past. Her relationships with her father and the rest of her family, as well as with Mr. Lorry remain shrouded in mystery. The victim of some sort of accident, she believed herself to be orphaned until Mr. Lorry introduced her (through Monsieur Defarge) to her father...who has lost the ability to communicate appropriately with most people, including his long-lost daughter. Just introduced at the end of Section 1 was Charles Darnay, a young Englishman on trial for committing treason against his country. Mr. Darnay’s trial, although a small segment of the section I just read, stands out as one of the most important events in the book thus far.
All main characters were present at Mr. Darnay’s trial, which is most likely a hint to the reader that it is important. One particular passage stands out to me: “Over the prisoner’s head there was a mirror, to throw the light down upon him...about on a level with his eyes, there sat, in that corner of the Judge’s bench, two persons upon whom his look immediately rested...a young lady of little more than twenty, and a gentleman who was evidently her father... ‘Witnesses’. ‘For which side?’ ‘Against.’ ‘Against what side?’ ‘The prisoner’s’,” (Dickens 94-5). This passage is when Mr. Darnay notices Miss Manette and her father. Captivated, spellbound, Mr. Darnay cannot resist looking at the pair. This action draws an immediate reaction from the crowd seated at the trial, all now clambering to catch a glance of the mysterious couple...and what they see completely changes their loathing and demeaning perspective of Mr. Darnay. The magical effect Miss Manette had on Mr. Darnay could foreshadow a relationship between the two. The mirror casting a light on the face of Miss Manette could be a symbol of this relationship. Light is a symbol of purity and goodness, which could allude to Miss Manette being a g-d like character. As the bishop was to Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Miss Manette may be to Mr. Darnay. I am excited to continue reading and to discover the effect Miss Manette truly has on Mr. Darnay.

It is said that pictures are worth a thousand words, and the image of Miss Manette and her father speaks for itself. I predict that, without realizing it, Miss Manette and her father may be the deciding factor of the trial. This realization raises more questions than it answers, however.

Why are Miss Manette and her father at the trial? Have they ever met Mr. Darnay before, and how? Where? Why are they against the prisoner? Could Mr. Darnay, perhaps, hold the key that unlocks some of the secrets to the mysterious Manettes? Dickens leaves the reader pondering all of these questions as he sets the stage for the next chain of events to occur in the book. These unanswered questions leave plenty of space for the reader to predict their own answers. I am excited to continue reading and discover how the relationships between characters, especially Miss Manette and Mr. Darnay, morph and develop.

Speaking of Infographics... (2)

An infographic showing the relationships between characters in section one of A Tale of Two Cities.

(Click on the image to see a larger version of it)

What in the Dickens?! (1)

(A BBC biography video of the life of Charles Dickens... Feel free to watch! :)

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,
it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us,
we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way...”
~Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Reading Schedule (1)

In the Beginning... (1)

Sound familiar? The legacy Dickens left behind in A Tale of Two Cities reaches far beyond just two cities. The story is one that illuminates some of Dickens’ passions and struggles, and his spirit lays embodied within the text. I have never read any of Dickens’ stories before, yet it would be foolish to say that I have never heard of Dickens or any of his published works prior to now. The popularity of Dickens and his novels was one factor that pushed me to read A Tale of Two Cities.
Based on the cover of the book and information I already know about A Tale of Two Cities, the story follows the lives of two men: one from Paris and one from London (hence the title). Judging by the picture on the cover of the story, I think that the story is set during the aftermath of the French Revolution of 1789. The cover depicts the head of someone who has just been guillotined, and by the royal garb still on the platform, the happy faces of the executioners, and the French military gathered beneath the platform, I can assume that the severed head is that of (Ex) King Louis XVI. In the foreground of the picture, a tricolour is waving and pitchforks are raised in seeming approval of this action. The cover slightly reminds me of the cover of Les Miserables. However, in Les Miserables the people were peasants and the lowest class and they looked absolutely wretched, while this group of people looks to be better off, and happier.
Based on this information, I predict that the French main character will travel to England looking for ideas on what France’s society might turn into in the aftermath and chaos of the Revolution. While in England, this man might meet the other main male character as well as the main female character. A few topics that may be debated in this novel are government, a man’s place in society, the role of women, and love. This idea of love may be demonstrated through both men’s feelings towards one woman.
The summary on the back cover of the book says that this book contains many parallels to Dickens’ own life. Judging by that, I can predict that Dickens put pieces of himself into each of his characters. By doing some background on Dickens now, I might be able to determine those similarities as I get farther into the book. If you would also like to do additional research, click here!
A few main points about Dickens’ life stood out to me:

• ~His family moved often because his Father would get the family into debt, and as a result of this Dickens was forced into work at childhood
• ~At a young age, literature became a crucial part of his life
• ~Resented his Mother for many years
• ~His travels often influenced his writing
• ~Avid playwright and performer

Based on the fact that Dickens was forced into child labor, I think one of the main characters might have strong, resentful feelings towards children fighting in a bloody, dangerous revolution. There may also be a focus on one of the main characters growing up too quickly because they were exposed to the Revolution as a child, and cannot forget the horrors they witnessed at a young age. Yet another focus of the novel may be on relationships. Dickens seemed to have a rocky relationship with his mother for a period of time, which may reveal itself in one of the characters being unable to keep or form relationships, or being unwilling and timid to form lasting, close relationships. The relationships between people may not be the sole conflicts that are addressed in the story.
The relationships between France and its neighboring countries may be at stake, as the story might be set post-revolution, during the reign of Napoleon I. If the characters are from different countries, this fact may complicate matters. It will be interesting to read about how these characters cope with the revolutions in their countries, and also to try to find parallels between their situation and the current world situation, following the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt.