Charles Dickens and A Tale of Two Cities

Background

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

The most famous English writer of his time, and one of the most celebrated of ours.

Focused on social injustice and the effect of the industrial revolution on the middle class.

Had a pretty miserable personal life, like many of the characters in his novels.

Little Dickens Childhood Born February 7th 1812 Came from a poor family His father was sent to prison

(because he couldn’t pay any of his bills)

Dickens was plucked from school and sent to a factory which made boot polish (child labor was legal then), in order to make some money for the family.

Eventually the family received an inheritance, and Charles returned to school; however, he never forgot his experiences there.

Dickens’ Start in Writing Dickens had to leave school

once again. He took a job as a law clerk in

London. In his free time he hung around

the London play houses (he later dabbled in acting and playwriting).

At sixteen, Dickens got his first writing gig: recording events in the courthouse.

1833- Dickens’ first piece, “A Dinner At Poplar Walk” is published in a monthly magazine. Dickens was not paid; however, he did catch the eye of the editor.

Dickens Family Dickens married Catherine

Hogarth in 1836. The couple had ten

children! The marriage was an

unhappy one, and Dickens didn’t seem to keen on the idea of being a father.

In 1857 Dickens meets a young actress (she was 18, he was 45). They fall madly in love, and begin an affair. He and his wife separate in 1858.

Dickens: The Final Years Dickens most famous

novels, A Tale of Two Cities (1859) and Great Expectations (1860), were both published later in his life.

Dickens died from a stroke in 1870, his last novel, Our Mutual Friend was published in 1865.

Dickens’ Life in Cartoon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakhouse/animation.shtml

Common Characteristics of Dickens’ Work

Focused on social injustice.

Criticized the systems and classes which took advantage of the poor.

Family life was not portrayed in the nicest light.

Dickens Worldhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3b2Q0Ru0k

Now…On To A Tale of Two Cities

1859

Tale of human behavior (goodness and wickedness of people)In the preface to the first edition, Dickens says, “I have so verified what is done and suffered in these pages, as that I have certainly done and suffered it all myself.”

Yes, it is long. Why? This novel, and many

of Dickens’ other novels were published serially in a monthly publication.

Books were expensive. Guaranteed magazine

subscriptions. More money for the

publishers. Strict deadlines for

Dickens!

Setting Set prior to & during the

French Revolution (1775-1793 are the years documented in the novel)

The Two Cities in the title are Paris, France and London, England!

The most important thing to note is that during the French Revolution, the poor were treated horribly, while the rich got richer. Eventually the poor and middle classes revolted against the French powers.

Style

Long winded scenes

When the action rises, Dickens’ style becomes more choppy and urgent.

Watch for irony!

Literary Concepts and Terms

Characterization: DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer makes direct

statements about a character's personality and tells what the character is like.

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer reveals information about a character and his personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other characters respond to that character, including what they think and say about him.

Irony- the contrast between appearance and reality (look for ironies or contradictions in the first paragraph)..More about this on the next slide!

Melodrama- a sensational or romantic plot carried to the extremes of emotion

Parallel Plots- the creation of two sets of characters and/or actions that eventually blend into one plot or reflect the same themes and motifs (look for the parallel situations and action in both London and Paris)

Literary Concepts Focus: Irony Situational Irony: the contrast

between what a reader or character expects and what actually exists or happens

Dramatic Irony: when the reader or audience learns information that certain characters do not know

Verbal Irony: occurs when a character or narrator says one thing and means another

Look for examples of these as you read!

What is this book about? In the years leading up to the French Revolution, the lower

class was demoralized by the French aristocrats which was very similar to what was happening in London. Fed up, the French peasantries wanted things to change and took action to do so.

This is a story which follows many characters of different backgrounds as they maneuver through these times.

There are two characters in particular who will be of most interest. They are: Charles Darnay & Sydney Carton.

Why We Read It Dickens is one of the

most celebrated authors in history.

The AP exams love him, so the more familiar you are with his work, the better off you will be come exam time.

Despite being long and challenging Dickens’ stories are actually very entertaining!

How to have the best of times and avoid the worst of times when reading.

Keep up with the reading!

Keep your study guide up to date!

Keep track of characters and main events for each chapter.

Ask questions!