Review on A Tale for Two cities

Review on A Tale for Two cities

Introduction

A tale of two cities was authored by Charles Dickens, who gives a story of a man called Charles Darnay who tries to bring a revolution in French. The book also talks about two cities that affect each other’s welfare. He explains that what happens in French affects London. He also brings out the impacts of the revolution that was started in France. The following paragraphs bring out a review of the book focusing upon the purpose, the research, organization, interpretation of the thesis, the bias on the book and the audience of the book

Purpose

This book brought out the issues that happen in different cities. The author compared two cities that is the peaceful London city and Paris that was in chaos. The latter is indicated in the first part of the book, “it was the best of times; it was the worst of times….” This quote shows the contrast between the two cities. The author depicts the peace in the most violent times. Tranquility was the definition of London, while Paris was the core of the bloody revolution. This book shows a general survey of a historical problem, as most countries around the world were in chaos while others remained peaceful. The issues of revolution are part of life; hence, the book brings out the accepted conventional wisdom[1].

Research

Before writing this book, Dickens went on a public reading tour, which enlightened him to write the book. He also based his book on the Gordon Riots that happened in Barnaby Rudge. Hence, his writing indicates reality. Referring to the Gordon Riots shows that he paid attention to the selection of themes and characters. He also had a clear view of what he was writing[2].

Organization

The author is able to bring out his ideas and put them in perfect order as the novel was originally made for a newspaper. It was written with suspense and well-targeted the audience’s curiosity. Despite starting at a low note, in the third part, Dickens brought at a steady pace. He vividly brings out the setting and the scene as he ensures that each part of the book is well understood. As he starts the book, he focuses on the description and smoothly flows into the rest of the parts. The work follows a specific flow that eventually brings every other part together as the book ends. Moreover, he ends the book at a climax that leaves the reader satisfied.

Besides, he brings out a writing style that ensures each part is well locked upon the next; his ideas flow carefully upon each other. Despite his excellent writing style, there is a difficulty that comes with understanding his use of humor; also, some of his languages is difficult to know as it was written in the 20th Century. For instance, “…I won’t be gone again in this manner. I am as rickety as a hackney-coach, I’m as sleepy as laudanum, my lines are strained to that degree that I shouldn’t know if it wasn’t for the pain in them, which was me and which was somebody else, yet I’m none the better for it in pocket, and I suspect that you’ve been at it from morning to night to prevent me from being better for it in the pocket, and I won’t put up with it, Aggerawayter, and what do you say now….” Chapter 1, pg. 53. While reading, this part might need one to have a dictionary to figure out some of the words used, like Laudanum and Hackney-coach[3].

Thesis

The author blends fiction and history to bring out the story. As the book started, he mentioned that it is the best time, and it is the worst time. Throughout the book, this is seen, for instance, when Darnay was prosecuted for the acts of his family members, who had killed members of the Darfage family. At this point, it is the best time for the Darfage family, but in the book, it is evident that Darnay, his wife Lucie, and their daughter were in devastation. In chapter four there is the story that speaks of Mr. Lorry who was waiting for Lucie to help her take her dad out of France and “…bring him to the safety of England” at this point, it is evident that England was at peace while Paris was a place of chaos as Dr. Manette was secretly imprisoned and painted dead. Through the mentioned instances, it is clear that Dickens remained at the core of the thesis, which was to bring out the contrast that was between England and French.

Bias on the book

He brings out a twist of attitudes when he showed disbelief when Gabelle was almost killed. He also displays sorrow for the beauty that was being destroyed by the war. As one reads, the book, there is evidence that his opinion is different according to the topics. He does not show bias to any outcome of the issues presented. He is partial to either side of the portions of the book. He explains this when he mentions; “…it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was spring of hope, it was 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…..” He shows that he had no bias for any side of the story [4].

Dickens was a former junior clerk and court reporter; hence, he was familiar with the legal system and community. With this kind of knowledge, he had the capacity to bring out the best in a historical fiction novel. Moreover, he wrote a book that revolved around the justice system in which he specialized.

Intended audience

Having been written in the 20th Century, the book was meant to bring out the issues that were going on at that time. Besides, the book is able to involve the reader in every way as there are many themes that make the book interesting. He also brings out suspense that keeps the reader hooked to the book. He also ensured that the book ended at a climax that leaves the reader fulfilled. Besides, this book was also liked and appreciated as it made a lot of money. Besides, a book can be used in schools for studies due to the variety of themes[5].

Personal evaluation

The author was able to bring out his ideas and thoughts in a vivid way. He is able to blend in different themes and still bring out the thesis of the book. He has made his focus on issues in the justice system and the jury, hence ensuring that he speaks of what he knows. The book also sparks one’s curiosity due to the use of suspense among other writing styles. However, the book has a difficult language that was used in the 20th Century, which can make it hard to understand.

Conclusion

To wrap up, the book was written to depict a comparison that existed between two cities that is London and Paris. The author also uses themes such as love and marriage to bring out the major theme. The author was also able to use the knowledge attained from the public reading tour that made his work coherent. He has also organized the work in a way that one idea flows into another; he is also able to remain neutral while making the points and ensures that he does not take sides. The book made a big difference as it had big sales besides being used in schools for literature.