A Tale of Two Cities: A Summary
Charles Dickens’s classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, is a historical epic set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The story follows the lives of several characters as they navigate the tumultuous events of the late 18th century, from the storming of the Bastille to the Reign of Terror.
The novel begins in London, where Dr. Manette, a French aristocrat, is released from the Bastille after 18 years of imprisonment. He is reunited with his daughter, Lucie, and they travel to Paris to start a new life. However, the city is on the brink of revolution, and the Manettes soon find themselves caught up in the chaos.
One of the central characters in the novel is Sydney Carton, a cynical and disillusioned young man who is in love with Lucie. Carton is willing to sacrifice his own life to save Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who is Lucie’s husband. Darnay is arrested and sentenced to death, but Carton takes his place at the guillotine.
A Tale of Two Cities is a powerful and moving story about love, sacrifice, and redemption. It is a classic of English literature and has been adapted into numerous films and television productions.
Characters
- Dr. Manette: A French aristocrat who is released from the Bastille after 18 years of imprisonment.
- Lucie Manette: Dr. Manette’s daughter.
- Charles Darnay: A French aristocrat who is Lucie’s husband.
- Sydney Carton: A cynical and disillusioned young man who is in love with Lucie.
- Madame Defarge: A vengeful woman who is determined to see the aristocracy overthrown.
- Marquis de Saint-Evrémonde: A cruel and heartless aristocrat who is the target of Madame Defarge’s revenge.
Themes
- Love: The novel explores the different types of love, from the romantic love between Lucie and Darnay to the sacrificial love of Carton.
- Sacrifice: Several characters in the novel make sacrifices for the people they love. Carton’s sacrifice is the most dramatic, but other characters also make difficult choices in order to protect their loved ones.
- Redemption: The novel also explores the theme of redemption. Carton’s sacrifice redeems him for his past mistakes, and Darnay is able to find redemption for his family’s crimes.
Historical Context
A Tale of Two Cities is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The novel begins in 1775, just before the storming of the Bastille. The story then follows the characters through the Reign of Terror, which lasted from 1793 to 1794.
The French Revolution was a time of great upheaval and violence. The monarchy was overthrown, and thousands of people were executed. The revolution also had a profound impact on French society, leading to the rise of democracy and the end of feudalism.
Adaptations
A Tale of Two Cities has been adapted into numerous films and television productions. The most famous adaptation is the 1935 film starring Ronald Colman and Elizabeth Allan. Other notable adaptations include the 1958 film starring Dirk Bogarde and Dorothy Tutin, and the 1980 television miniseries starring Christopher Reeve and Alice Krige.
Related Links
- A Tale of Two Cities on Wikipedia
- A Tale of Two Cities on Project Gutenberg
- A Tale of Two Cities Study Guide