Tale of Two Cities

In the book Tale of Two Cities, Dickens writes many lines that not only pertain to the book but to life or other situations. This shows Dickens’ abilities as a writer. Maybe the ability of a writer to keep their work pertaining to life in all situations rather that just in the book is the quality of a good writer. If a writer can write things that are good then he is a good writer.

In the beginning of the book Dickens writes “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness”. This is one of the most quoted lines of all times. This pertains to life as we know it and is also a brilliant way to describe the times of the French Revolution. This could pertain to the rich or the poor in all parts of the quote. To the aristocracy it was a beautiful time but the events in the book prove that it was going to be a worst time for them. To the poor it was a time for change and wisdom from the people but some times the crimes brought against the people were foolish. Also it was horrible for them living under oppression. It shows the ups and downs of life of the people but during these times the ups and downs were extreme.

Dickens writes at the end of the novel with Sydney Carton’s last thoughts before his life is sacrificed to save Charles Darnay: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”. I thought this was significant to the novel because we see how Carton is a great human