A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities
source
Name	A Tale of Two Cities
Author	Charles Dickens
Country	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Language	English
Genre	Historical fiction, Social novel
Publisher	Chapman & Hall
Pub date	1859
Media type	Print (serial, hardback, paperback)
Preceded by	Little Dorrit
Followed by	Great Expectations

A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1859. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the story weaves together the fates of characters in London and Paris, exploring themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of violence. It is one of Dickens's most famous and frequently adapted works, renowned for its opening line and dramatic conclusion.

Plot summary

The narrative begins in 1775, as Jarvis Lorry of Tellson's Bank travels to Paris to retrieve Dr. Manette, who has been imprisoned for eighteen years in the Bastille. Manette is reunited with his daughter, Lucie Manette, in London, where they befriend Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who has renounced his family name, Evrémonde. Darnay is tried for treason in England but is defended by the dissolute barrister Sydney Carton, who bears a striking resemblance to him. Darnay marries Lucie, but is drawn back to France during the Reign of Terror, where he is arrested by revolutionaries. Carton, motivated by his love for Lucie, executes a plan to sacrifice himself by taking Darnay's place at the guillotine, fulfilling a prophecy of a far, far better rest.

Characters

The central characters include the self-sacrificing Sydney Carton and the principled Charles Darnay, whose lives are intertwined. Lucie Manette serves as the novel's moral center, devoted to her father, the traumatized Dr. Manette. The vengeful Madame Defarge, who knits a register of enemies, and her husband, the wine-shop keeper Ernest Defarge, are key figures among the Jacobin revolutionaries. Other significant figures include the loyal banker Jarvis Lorry, the fiery Miss Pross, the cruel Marquis St. Evrémonde, and the sympathetic Gabelle.

Major themes

The novel explores the possibility of personal and societal resurrection, as seen in the transformations of Sydney Carton and Dr. Manette. It contrasts the oppression of the Ancien Régime with the violent excesses of the French Revolution, critiquing both systems. The theme of sacrifice is paramount, culminating in Carton's substitution for Charles Darnay. The famous opening line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," establishes the duality and mirrored experiences between London and Paris.

Historical context

Dickens was influenced by Thomas Carlyle's seminal work, The French Revolution: A History, which provided a dramatic account of the period. The novel depicts key events of the revolution, including the Storming of the Bastille and the Reign of Terror under the Committee of Public Safety. While not a strict history, it captures the social conditions that fueled the uprising, such as the extravagance of the French aristocracy and the suffering of the Third Estate. Dickens wrote during a period of social anxiety in Victorian Britain, drawing parallels to contemporary unrest.

Literary significance and reception

Upon its serial publication in All the Year Round, the novel was a tremendous commercial success. While some contemporary critics, like Margaret Oliphant, found its violence excessive, it has since been acclaimed for its powerful plot and emotional depth. It is often cited as one of the best-selling novels of all time and is a staple of English literature curricula globally. Its famous concluding line, "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done," is among the most quoted in Western literature.

Adaptations

The novel has been adapted for numerous media, including several notable film versions such as the 1935 production starring Ronald Colman and the 1958 film directed by Ralph Thomas. It has been presented frequently on television, including a 1980 BBC serial. Theatrical adaptations include a 2007 Broadway musical, A Tale of Two Cities. The story has also inspired operas, radio plays, and graphic novels.

Category:1859 British novels Category:Novels by Charles Dickens Category:Novels set in London Category:Novels set in Paris