Symbolism in A Tale of Two Cities

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A alteration can be noticed and identified by other alterations. In the novel. A Narrative of Two Cities. Charles Dickens uses symbolism. allusions. and boding to convey his attitude towards the Gallic Revolution while besides rising the suspense of the approaching convulsion.

Symbolism is used in A Tale of Two Cities to convey Charles Dickens’ attitude towards the approaching revolution. Charles uses the sea as a symbol for the societal agitation of the people of France. “the sea did what it liked and what it liked was devastation. ” ( 22 ) The sea is used here as a representation of the lifting Gallic Revolution that was non merely impacting France. but England every bit good. taging the start of rebellious actions that began to crawl their manner into the people’s minds. Though the marks of rebellion are everyplace. Dickens gives Lucie Manette a expression of hope and compassion in the dark universe demoing the women’s function of deriving trust and raising liquors for the 1s involved in the Revolution.

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Charles Dickens uses the spilt vino outside of Monsieur and Madame Defarge’s vino store to typify the blood that is traveling to be spilt during the revolution when a. “large cask of vino. ” was. “dropped and broken. ” ( 32 ) The vino running through the streets is being used to typify the blood that is shortly traveling to be running through the same streets during the Revolution. The fact that it was outside of Madame Defarge’s vino store symbolizes the blood that is spilt around her throughout the balance of the book.

Allusions are besides used in this novel to convey Charles Dickens’ attitude towards the adult females in the Gallic revolution. Madame Defarge is used as an allusion to The Destinies from Grecian mythology as she knit’s the names of the people she wants dead such as. “John. ” the name she was. “deftly knitting. ” ( 187 ) As Madame Defarge knit’s the names of her enemies she is efficaciously sealing their deathly destiny. Though the adult females had small political intercession. they made themselves of import in their ain manner. either giving themselves a bad repute ( Madame Defarge ) or a good repute ( Lucie Manette ) .

Devils besides uses Lucie Manette as an allusion to The Destinies from Greek mythology stating that. “She was the aureate yarn that united him to a past beyond his wretchedness. ” ( 84 ) . Like the Fates and Madame Defarge. Lucie controls the fate of the people around her though. unlike Madame Defarge. uses this control to adhere the people into a better fate. Lucie is a symbol of hope and compassion and Dickens conveys this through her ability to assist people in the times of problem. like the revolution that the Gallic are about to put off.

Prefiguration is used in A Tale of Two Cities to rise the suspense of the approaching Gallic Revolution. The vino running through the streets is a symbol. but is besides used to bode the spilling of blood that was about to take topographic point as the vino poured over. “the rough. irregular rocks of the street. ” ( 32 ) Because the vino is a symbol of blood. as the vino spills over the street a certain discerning feel is established. making a heightened suspense of the revolution that is being foreshadowed in this transition.

Once once more. this important minute takes topographic point outside of Madame Defarge’s store. meaning her engagement in the revolution and the blood that will be spilled around her. After the Marquis kills the male child. “one adult female. ” still. “knitted on with the staunchness of Fate. ” ( 117 ) This adult female is Madame Defarge knitting his name into the form so that some injury will come of him. this is boding his decease that will come subsequently in the book. This is another illustration of Madame Defarge’s importance in the book as shown by Charles Dickens. and makes it cliff-hanging. all inquiring when the Marquis might run into his death.

Dickens usage of symbolism. allusions. and boding demo his attitude towards the topic of the Gallic Revolution and rise the suspense of the approaching rebellion. It besides shows the importance that the adult females had in the revolution and how they functioned in the book.

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