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Essay / Essay Analysis of A Tale Of Two Cities - 1399
Set during the French Revolution, Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities remains one of the most influential books of the modern era. In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens proposes an alternative social and political structure to society through the rehabilitation of Doctor Manette, the sacrifice of Sydney Carton and the change that Charles Darnay undergoes. and the political structure of society involves the eventual rehabilitation of Doctor Manette. “It was so deep and repressed that it was like an underground voice. It was so expressive, of a desperate and lost creature, that a hungry traveler, wearied by solitary wandering in a desert, would have remembered his home and his friends in such a tone before lying down to die. (Dickens 29). In this quote, Doctor Manette is presented as a weak and pale individual, with little ambition and few connections to the outside world. The analogy between Doctor Manette and a "weary traveler" as well as a "lost creature" serves to describe his seemingly hopeless situation. Additionally, the imagery used to depict the action of lying down to die represents the struggles of Doctor Manette and his symbolic death as a result of his experiences while imprisoned in the Bastille. Through this characterization of Manette, Dickens is able to draw a parallel with the current political situation in France and England. In the 18th century, the king was most often seen as the figurative father of the nation he ruled, thus presenting the idea of the king as a leader and protector. In the social structure that Dickens condemned, the king was seen as detached from the needs of the country and its subjects. This is mainly seen in the middle of the article. Certain aspects of society should also be receptive to changes, such as those in the political structure in France and England, as well as the justice system. Through Darnay's depiction of accepting change, Dickens supports the idea that such actions could benefit society and serve as a model for an alternative, more enlightened political and social structure. Throughout A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens presents a model for an alternative social and political structure. structure in France and England. Through the character of Doctor Manette, Dickens is able to present the concept of a social structure in which the king acts as the leader of society. Through Sydney Carton, Dickens presents the idea of compassion and unity within society. Finally, through the change that Charles Darnay undergoes, Dicken presents the concept of a society that embraces change..