A Tale of Two Cities
Novel
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Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities Main Text Part One (Book the First—Recalled to Life)
Book the First—Recalled to Life
CHAPTER I.
The Period
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, w...
Read A Tale of Two Cities Main Text Part One (Book the First—Recalled to Life)
A Tale of Two Cities Main Text Part Two (Book the Second—the Golden Thread)
Book the Second—the Golden Thread
CHAPTER I.
Five Years Later
Tellson’s Bank by Temple Bar was an old-fashioned place, even in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty. It was very small, very dark, very ugly, very incommodious. It was an old-fashioned place, moreover, in the moral attribute that the partners in the House were proud of its smallness, proud of its darkness, proud of its ug...
Read A Tale of Two Cities Main Text Part Two (Book the Second—the Golden Thread)
A Tale of Two Cities Main Text Part Three (Book the Third—the Track of a Storm)
Book the Third—the Track of a Storm
CHAPTER I.
In Secret
The traveller fared slowly on his way, who fared towards Paris from England in the autumn of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two. More than enough of bad roads, bad equipages, and bad horses, he would have encountered to delay him, though the fallen and unfortunate King of France had been upon his throne in all his glory; b...
Read A Tale of Two Cities Main Text Part Three (Book the Third—the Track of a Storm)
A Tale of Two Cities Key Facts
“A Tale of Two Cities” is a famous historical novel by Charles Dickens. Look at the key facts of the novel to get a quick conception.
Full Title: A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Type of Work: Novel
Genre: Historical fiction
Language: English
Time and Place Written: In 1859, in London
Date of First Publication: From April 20 to November 26, 1859 (in parts)
Publisher: Chapman and Hall
N...
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A Tale of Two Cities Summary
Plot Summary
Book the First – Recalled to Life
Life and Times in 1775: The novel opens in the year 1775. Dickens uses a famous line to describe the era: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” (The Duality of 1775). These words show the contrast between England and France. In England, the monarchy rules, but the government fears change. Crime is rising. Justice is often unfair. In F...
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A Tale of Two Cities Themes
Resurrection and Rebirth: This is the most important theme in the novel. Dr. Manette is "recalled to life" after 18 years in prison. Lucie’s love helps him heal. Sydney Carton also finds new life through his sacrifice. He gives his life to save Charles Darnay. His death gives meaning to his wasted life. Carton becomes a Christ-like figure. He believes in a better future. Through love and sacrifice...
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A Tale of Two Cities Characters
Major characters
Charles Darnay: He is the main male character. He is a Frenchman living in England. He leaves his noble family in France. He does not like their cruelty. He marries Lucie Manette. He is kind, honest, and brave.
Sydney Carton: Protagonist, Sydney Carton (He is the main hero of the story. He is a sad and lonely man, but later becomes a brave and selfless person.) He looks just like...
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A Tale of Two Cities Literary Devices
The figures of speech and literary devices are the most important parts of any literary work. In "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, several literary devices and figures of speech exist. Let's try to explore it:
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as" to create a vivid and imaginative connection between them. "It was the best of t...
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A Tale of Two Cities Quotes
Major Quotes:
“It was the best of times and it was the worst of times;
It was the age of wisdom and it was the age of foolishness;...” Book one, Chapter I
Explanation: This is the opening line of the novel. It highlights the contradictions of 1775. Dickens sets the historical context of the French Revolution. It shows how extreme poverty and oppression lived beside hope and renewal. It s...
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Notes
Explore 28 detailed notes related to A Tale of Two Cities. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.