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A Tale of Two Cities Summary
Charles Dickens

Everything you need to understand or teach A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

A Tale of Two Cities Summary & Study Guide
78 Student Essays
2 Encyclopedia Articles
12 Literature Criticisms
1 Book Notes
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30 A Tale of Two Cities Lessons
20 Activities
180 Multiple Choice Questions
60 Short Essay Questions
20 Essay Questions
Pre-Made Tests and Quizzes
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A Tale of Two Cities Summary

A Tale of Two Cities occupies a central place in the canon of Charles Dickens's works. TIns novel of the French Revolution was originally serialized in the author's own periodical All the Year Round Weekly publication of chapters 1-3 of Book 1 began on April 30, 1859. In an innovative move, Dickens simultaneously released installments of the novel on a monthly basis, beginning with all of Book 1 in June and concluding with the last eight chapters...

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Encyclopedia Articles (2)

A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens - 1859

8,107 words, approx. 28 pages

A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens - 1859 Introduction A Tale of Two Cities is set before and during the French Revolution, and examines the harsh conditions and brutal realities of life during th... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities

3,630 words, approx. 13 pages

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens An English novelist who lived from 1812 to 1870, Charles Dickens was twelve years old when his father was sent to debtor's prison. Almost the entire Dickens ... Read more

Charles Dickens Biographies (8)

Charles Dickens

6,645 words, approx. 23 pages

He was only fifty-eight when he died. His horse had been shot, as he had wanted; his body lay in a casket in his home at Gad's Hill, festooned with scarlet geraniums. Tributes poured in from all over ... Read more

Charles John Huffam Dickens

2,274 words, approx. 8 pages

The English author Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was, and probably still is, the most widely read Victorian novelist. He is now appreciated more for his "dark" novels than for his humorous w... Read more

Charles (John Huffam) Dickens

17,051 words, approx. 57 pages

The life story of Charles Dickens is, from several perspectives, a success story. Generally regarded today as one of the greatest novelists in the English language, Dickens had the unusual good fort... Read more

Charles (John Huffam) Dickens

4,284 words, approx. 15 pages

Charles Dickens had one thing in common with his creation Thomas Gradgrind, the heartless utilitarian in Hard Times: a love of facts. Along with fourteen novels, many of them rich in topical allusion,... Read more

Charles (John Huffam) Dickens

2,572 words, approx. 9 pages

Drawing his narrative themes from the sensation novel and the popular stage, Charles Dickens heavily freighted most of his plots with mystery, crime, and suspense. His chief legacies to crime litera... Read more

Charles (John Huffam) Dickens

13,455 words, approx. 45 pages

From the appearance of his first full-length work of prose fiction, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, in 1836-1837, Charles Dickens has retained his place as one of the best-loved and most... Read more

Charles (John Huffam) Dickens

4,789 words, approx. 16 pages

In October 1844 Charles Dickens was in Genoa working on his second Christmas book, The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells That Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In (1845). Hoping that a long forei... Read more

Charles John Huffam Dickens

17,846 words, approx. 60 pages

Biography EssayThe life story of Charles Dickens is, from several perspectives, a success story. Generally regarded today as one of the greatest novelists in the English language, Dickens had the unus... Read more

Essays & Analysis (90)

Critical Essay by Leonard Manheim

6,386 words, approx. 22 pages

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Critical Essay by Don Nardo

5,846 words, approx. 20 pages

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Critical Essay by John Gross

2,015 words, approx. 7 pages

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Critical Essay by David Rosen

6,536 words, approx. 22 pages

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Critical Essay by David D. Marcus

5,617 words, approx. 19 pages

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Critical Essay by Lawrence Frank

12,578 words, approx. 42 pages

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Critical Essay by Murray Baumgarten

6,879 words, approx. 23 pages

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Critical Essay by J. M. Rignall

5,859 words, approx. 20 pages

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Critical Essay by Harland S. Nelson

4,236 words, approx. 15 pages

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Critical Essay by Cates Baldridge

10,050 words, approx. 34 pages

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Critical Essay by Lisa Robson

9,054 words, approx. 31 pages

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Critical Essay by Tom Lloyd

9,162 words, approx. 31 pages

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Love and Self Sacrifice

556 words, approx. 2 pages

Dr. Manette's and Sydney Carton's love for Lucie Manette bring about their resurrection and a new sense of happiness, in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. Dr. Manette is freed from the confines ... Read more

The Representation of Women in Texts and Its Relation to the Context

1,867 words, approx. 7 pages

A topic that has changed over time is the representation of women, as there have been many identities of women from different times and cultures. Authors are aware of the values and attitudes of the p... Read more

Use of Metaphors in "A Tale of Two Cities"

1,189 words, approx. 4 pages

Through literary technique authors set the basis of their entire novel. The technique of metaphor is one of the major ways to help develop the plot and characters. In his novel A Tale of Two Cities, D... Read more

A Tale of Three Strong Women

1,193 words, approx. 4 pages

    Strong women dominate some of the lead roles in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.  Lucie Manette, Miss Pross, and Madame Defarge are all examples of strong women.  Some ... Read more

Symbol in A Tale Of Two Cities

266 words, approx. 1 pages

The symbol that Dickens uses to foreshadow the people and events that will affect the lives of the main characters is knitting. At the end of chapter seven Madame Defarge is knitting, and while she kn... Read more

Compare and Contrast Tale of Two Cities and French Revolution

565 words, approx. 2 pages

Assignment: Compare and Contrast Tale of Two Cities In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, there are many references made by Dickens to the French Revolution. At times some of these... Read more

The 19th Century Critical Realism and Charles Dickens

4,673 words, approx. 16 pages

Chapter I. Introduction In the 1830s, as the capitalist system had established and consolidated in Europe, the drawbacks of the capitalist society appeared, and the class contradictions also sharpene... Read more

Love and Hate in Tale of Two Cities

166 words, approx. 1 pages

The love that Sydney Carton feels changes him to be someone that he isn't, just like the hatred that Madame Defarge has in her heart changes her to become a much eviler side of herself. The love that ... Read more

Tale of Two Cities Political Satire

473 words, approx. 2 pages

Symbols of authority have been challenged every day by the people who are subjects to them. Specifically the government and it's systems are whipping-boys for just about evryone at one time or... Read more

Poverty in "A Tale of Two Cities"

274 words, approx. 1 pages

Poverty causes a gap of hostility between the rich and the poor, in both France and England. In Charles Dickens' nineteenth century novel, A Tale of Two Cities, this gap results in madness in the poo... Read more

Resurrection in "A Tale of Two Cities"

476 words, approx. 2 pages

Many characters in Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities are "recalled to life". Dr. Manette,Roger Cly, and Monsieur Gabelle are three of them that get a second chance at life. Dr. Manette was wrongly im... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities

1,561 words, approx. 6 pages

"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 spring of hope, it was the winter of despair," (Dickens, 1). This is how Charl... Read more

A Critique on "A Tale of Two Cities"

505 words, approx. 2 pages

Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities in 1859. I felt that Charles Dickens did a magnificent job of combing both history and fiction, and depicted the French Revolution accurately. Dickens was ve... Read more

Tale of Two Cities

755 words, approx. 3 pages

In 1859, several issues were facing the United States and Britain. The issue of slavery in the United States was a topic that tore the country in two. In Britain, the growing gap between the weal... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities: a Story of Resurrection

812 words, approx. 3 pages

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," (page 1). The historical novel, A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens is not just a story about the French Revolution. It is a story about ... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities - Honest Criticism

671 words, approx. 3 pages

Charles Dickens did a magnificent job by combining both, history and fiction, and depicting the French Revolution accurately. I think that author was very straightforward in his opinions on - why th... Read more

Analysis of "A Tale of Two Cities"

761 words, approx. 3 pages

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2. Often times people focus too much on things on earth, rather than focusing on God above. While food, clothing, and shelter are ... Read more

Analyze Madame Defarge's Role and Character in the Development of the Plot

829 words, approx. 3 pages

Tale of two cities has it's setting during the period of French revolution. The word "revolution" itself is symbolic of rebirth and resurrection. Thus the readers note how the characters would play a... Read more

The Tone of "Tale of Two Cities"

1,232 words, approx. 5 pages

The title of the book - "Tale of two cities" itself quite reveals the tone that the story is set in. The word "tale" means a story or an event that has taken place. Thus, the author tries to convey to... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities - Wine Symbolism

241 words, approx. 1 pages

Wine is frequently used in this novel, both as sustenance and as a symbol of blood. When the wine cask is spilled in Book 1: recalled to Life, Chapter 5, "The wine-shop", the citizens of Saint Antoin... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities

707 words, approx. 3 pages

"It was the best of times and the worst of times (pg 1)." This says that this book will be full of sorrow as well as hope and love. This is one of the most well known beginnings to any book. Most all ... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities - the Golden Thread

1,178 words, approx. 4 pages

Love for a beautiful, compassionate woman has inspired poets, artists, writers, and ordinary men for ages. It also inspires and binds the principal male characters in A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dic... Read more

Dickens' Use of Literary Technique in "A Tale of Two Cities"

1,005 words, approx. 4 pages

Through literary technique authors set the basis of their entire novel. By manipulating these tools authors set the tone, establish plot, introduce characters, and develop their stories. Techniques... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities

1,779 words, approx. 6 pages

Book Evaluation Setting: A Tale of Two Cities is written by Charles Dickens and it takes place in France and England beginning in 1775. It's told in third person until the end when Sydney Carton ... Read more

Resurrection in "A Tale of Two Cities"

787 words, approx. 3 pages

Resurrection is a term used often not in the physical sense, but as a spiritual description of one's rebirth in the same lifetime. In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Resurrection is a major ... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities: The Struggles Within

721 words, approx. 3 pages

A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is considered by many to be the greatest novel of the 19th century. Instead of using his usual style of character driven narratives, Dickens, used a new form... Read more

Tale of Two Cities: A Discussion of Individual vs. Group Power

678 words, approx. 3 pages

One of the main themes in Charles Dickens's, A Tale of Two Cities, is the power of a crowd affect over the strength of an individual. Or sometimes, vice versa, the strength of an individual affected ... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities: A Character Analysis of Sydney Carton

591 words, approx. 2 pages

Someone who sacrifices his life for the person they love is by far the most ultimate sacrifice any human being could make. In A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, Sydney Carton, a drunkard and a... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities: Character Descriptions

190 words, approx. 1 pages

Lucie Manette-fragile,kind, caring, nurturing, healer, sheltered, pure, beautiful, angelic, courageous. Dr. Manette-shoemaker(when in prison), emotionally unstable, well respected, afread to relive o... Read more

Examining Themes from A Tale of Two Cities

531 words, approx. 2 pages

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" Dickens states in his opening sentence of A Tale of Two Cities. His elaborate writing attracted many people during the Victorian period and contin... Read more

Duality of Life: Dickens' Views on Second Chances through Sacrifice

1,081 words, approx. 4 pages

Redemption can often be achieved through self-sacrifice. Throughout Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities, this duality of life is dominant. The story follows the events leading to the bloodsta... Read more

Sydney Carton - a Changed Man

746 words, approx. 3 pages

Everyone eventually makes a drastic change in their life. In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, Sydney Carton, one of the main characters, makes this progression in his li... Read more

Kinesthetic Imagery in"A Tale of Two Cities"

701 words, approx. 3 pages

"With a wild rattle and clatter, and an inhuman abandonment of consideration not easy to be understood in these days, the carriage dashed through streets and swept round corners, with women screaming ... Read more

"A Tale of Two Cities:" Notes on Ch 10-14

1,434 words, approx. 5 pages

Chapter 10- In chapter ten, the reader finds out how Mr. Charles Darnay is doing after the murder of his uncle. A year after the murder, Mr. Darnay works as a tutor of French literature and writing;... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities: An Analysis of Dr. Manette

673 words, approx. 3 pages

Most people who are just released from solitary confinement would have a hard time getting back into an everyday routine. It is very tough to do that for many reasons. One, when you're in prison for ... Read more

Examination of Madam Defarge's Oath of Vengence in a Tale of Two Cities

1,201 words, approx. 5 pages

A Tale of Two Cities is about the events that took place prior to and during the French Revolution. It tells of how the characters reacted to their harsh treatment. The story encompasses two countries... Read more

Irony in the Novel "Tale of Two Cities"

901 words, approx. 4 pages

Irony Essay In the novel A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens, irony is used. Irony is a name for a surprising, interesting, or humorous coincidences of contradictions in a book The ... Read more

Revenge in Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

2,397 words, approx. 8 pages

"Among all my books, `A Tale of Two Cities' becomes the gall and bitterness of my life. I vow to God they make me wretched and taint the freshness of every new year..." These words, spoken b... Read more

Sydney Carton Vs. Evremonde; a Comparison

796 words, approx. 3 pages

It has often been said that it is human nature to fear change. This fear however, is misplaced. In many instances the change involved can be a complete transformation of a character rather than a smal... Read more

Foreshadowing in A Tale of Two Cities

492 words, approx. 2 pages

Throughout A TALE OF TWO CITIES, Charles Dickens uses foreshadowing to further the plot of the novel. Dickens foreshadows the plot in a number of ways. One example of foreshadowing within the novel is... Read more

Techniques in Influencing a Reader's Views

784 words, approx. 3 pages

Riots in Paris, rebellion amongst different classes, the storming of the Bastille...this is the time of the French Revolution. The revolution marked a turning point in Europe, and began changes in eve... Read more

Everything Has a Purpose, Even Wine

985 words, approx. 4 pages

The dark, evil, scary color of blood resembles much that of wine. Both substances look incredibly similar so, why are they both very important in this novel. The motif of blood and wine are one of th... Read more

How Does Tale of Two Cities Romanticise the French Revolution?

1,337 words, approx. 5 pages

Charles Dickens romanticises the French Revolution in his novel, Tale of Two cities by cutting out and down playing certain events in the revolution even though his book is called Tale of Two Cities.... Read more

Opposing Passions of Love and Hate in "A Tale of Two Cities"

733 words, approx. 3 pages

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a historical fiction that depicts the injustices of the French social system during the 18th century. The author presents the conflict that existed between t... Read more

Tale of Two Cities Essay

923 words, approx. 4 pages

In Charles Dickens's novel The Tale of Two Cities it is debated whether Charles Darnay or Sydney Carlton is more heroic. A heroic figure in any novel is a character that demonstrates determination, le... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities: An Analysis of Lorry

670 words, approx. 3 pages

At this point in the book titled A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Darnay I am drawn to the particular character, Mr. Jarvis Lorry. I am similar to this character, by way of his views and perspectives. ... Read more

True Love and Death

846 words, approx. 3 pages

Can love change a person? Can it bring the good out in people? Some may ponder apon these questions wondering if it is possible to show unconditional love, and yes it is. Throughout the ages of man... Read more

Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton: a Comparison

792 words, approx. 3 pages

Is one amazingly good deed good enough to redeem a wasted life? Does it take more strength to be an overall virtuous person or to undergo a tremendous personal change? Would being remembered in many ... Read more

The Status of England and France in "A Tale of Two Cities"

655 words, approx. 3 pages

In Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities, England and France are the two countries in which the book takes place. In 1717, when the start of the book takes place, England and France are very differe... Read more

Characterization, Oppression and Turmoil in a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

989 words, approx. 4 pages

Charles Dicken's epic novel A Tale of Two Cities depicts two prominent cities encountering tremendous domestic turmoil. The book tracks various colorful and unique characters, each struggling with the... Read more

Blood as a Motif in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

583 words, approx. 2 pages

My motif is blood. This motif is everywhere in the story and the reference for blood is used to show and describe all bad things. Even simple little sangs, like instead of my god they say my blood. Al... Read more

Sympathy for Characters in "A Tale of Two Cities"

1,001 words, approx. 4 pages

Charles Dickens' epic novel A Tale of Two Cities depicts two prominent cities encountering tremendous domestic turmoil. The book tracks various colorful and unique characters, each struggling with the... Read more

Minor Characters in a Tale of Two Cities

1,389 words, approx. 5 pages

In Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities, he introduces many characters, both major and minor. Throughout the plot line, each character weaves his tale and effects the final outcome. This job i... Read more

Dickens's Views of the French Revolution

962 words, approx. 4 pages

"Sow the same seed of rapacious license and oppression ever again, and it will surely yield the same fruit according to its kind." (385) This quote from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities illustra... Read more

Coincidences in "A Tale of Two Cities"

666 words, approx. 3 pages

In literature, coincidence often adds to the plot when it's used to reveal irony or hidden meaning reveal to the reader. Charles Dickens uses the coincidence literary element in his novel, A Tale of ... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

697 words, approx. 3 pages

This story starts out in the late 1700's when a bank official set out to reunite a daughter to her long lost father. The man was named Mr. Lorry and he escorted Lucie, the daughter of Dr. Manette t... Read more

Christianity in a Tale of Two Cities

2,294 words, approx. 8 pages

Christian Value Reinforcement in A Tale of Two Cities In this essay, I will argue that one of the underlying motives in Charles Dickens' novel A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is the reinforcement of Chr... Read more

A Different Take on A Tale of Two Cities

781 words, approx. 3 pages

A TALE OF TWO CITIES BY ... Read more

The Heroic Aspects of A Tale of Two Cities

1,029 words, approx. 4 pages

The Heroic Aspects of "A Tale of Two Cities" Charles Dickens main purpose for writing "A Tale of Two Cities" was to reflect his concerns on the social problems in England in the Victorian age. It is ... Read more

Dickens' Life Linked to a Tale of Two Cities

1,660 words, approx. 6 pages

Charles Dickens once said, "I do not write resentfully or angrily: for I know that all of these things have worked together to make me what I am." (Schlicke 409) Being such an intelligent man, he real... Read more

The Role of Women in a Tale of Two Cities

1,093 words, approx. 4 pages

Charles Dickens's novel A Tale of Two Cities is a story of intricately woven plot lines driven by intriguing characters. The female characters are often primary forces in driving the other players and... Read more

Animal Instinct Vs. Human Compassion Portrayed by Dickens

709 words, approx. 3 pages

The scientific theory of evolution states that humans evolved from apes, therefore we are all, or once were animals. While some religious people choose to ignore this notion, Charles Dickens embraces... Read more

Fate Freewill and Fortune

905 words, approx. 4 pages

Do you ever find yourself wondering why something happened? Or why every time something goes good in your life, something bad comes along and ruins it? I don¡¦t know about everyone else but... Read more

Carton's Striving for "A Life You Love" in "A Tale of Two Cities"

1,321 words, approx. 5 pages

To sacrifice is to deprive oneself of something valued for the sake of another person. Sydney Carton did not think that his life was valuable, yet he gave it up for the sake of another person: Charle... Read more

Sacrifice and Achievement in A Tale of Two Cities

1,579 words, approx. 6 pages

In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, sacrifice and success are basic ideas which are continually stressed and repeated. Throughout the course of the book almost all major characters have to end... Read more

Comparison of Sydney Carton to Charles Darnay in "Tale of Two Cities"

525 words, approx. 2 pages

Many people are similar, but different at the same time. In the book Tale of Two Cities there are two characters that are very much alike, yet very dissimilar at the same time. Sydney Carton and Char... Read more

Resurrection of Characters in "A Tale of Two Cities"

607 words, approx. 3 pages

Resurrection Resurrection is the revival of something old or long disused. In the book A Tale of Two Cities the theme resurrection was used throughout story. Dr. Manette, Darnay, Foulon, and Carton ... Read more

A Tale of Two Cities Thesis Paper

444 words, approx. 2 pages

Everyday 24,000 people die around the world. 9 million people die every year, because they don't have anything to eat. No one thinks of these suffering people as they go to their graves at an early ... Read more

Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton: An Inimitable Contrast

1,111 words, approx. 4 pages

Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton: An inimitable Contrast Can one easily compare a drunken lawyer to a French aristocrat drowned by his embarrassment of his old family name? Maybe a better question ... Read more

Love in A Tale of Two Cities

735 words, approx. 3 pages

Throughout the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, many men have fallen for the beautiful Lucie Manette. Numerous of them have expressed there love for her and expressed a lot of sensitivity towards her. To ... Read more

Sacrifice and Resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities

1,942 words, approx. 7 pages

George Matthew Adams once said, "In this life we get only those things for which we hunt, for which we strive, and for which we are willing to sacrifice." Sadly, in the world of today, the latter part... Read more

Madame Defarge- a Tale of Two Cities

598 words, approx. 2 pages

Usually in novels we encounter a majority of characters that are naïve and undecorated, characters that can be more simply described as boring. To compensate for these characters, we have those o... Read more

Foreshadowing in a Tale of Two Cities

828 words, approx. 3 pages

There is a reason why people enjoy mysteries. Mysteries in novel or movie form allow the reader to enjoy a story while having the excitement of guessing what will happen. Everyone loves to see if th... Read more

Madame Defarge- a Tale of Two Cities

704 words, approx. 3 pages

George Woodcock says, "Madame Defarge is the ultimate personification of the revolution in A Tale of Two Cities, and she is a being whom the uncontrolled desire for revenge has turned into a monster o... Read more

Sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities

901 words, approx. 4 pages

Love is the willingness to sacrifice. When someone loves someone, they are willing to give up for them. This fact is thoroughly demonstrated both in everyday life, and in literature. In A Tale of Two ... Read more

Revolution in A Tale of Two Cities

1,345 words, approx. 5 pages

Emma Goldman once said, "No real social change has ever been brought about without a revolution - Revolution is but thought carried into action." When faced with tyranny and oppression, revolution is ... Read more

Tale of Two Cities: "Recalled of Life"

440 words, approx. 2 pages

Being "recalled to life" is resurrection by another chance to form a new life. It is also coming from a life of endless solitary hardship, to a life of satisfaction and usefulness. Sidney and Amory's ... Read more

Mr. Cruncher in "A Tale of Two Cities"

613 words, approx. 3 pages

In Charles Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities," Jerry Cruncher, poses as an errand runner, a clean booted man, for Tellson's Bank working side by side with his son. His clean boots return home far after... Read more

Free Book Notes (1)

A Tale of Two Cities

30,082 words, approx. 101 pages

A Tale of Two Cities Book Notes is a free study guide on A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Browse the summary below:   Author Biography / Context of the Work   One-Page Plot Summa... Read more

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