Tale of Two Cities- Illuminator- Pd3- Leah Sevco
”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, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way- in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its nosiest authorities insisted on its being recieved, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only” (1).
This section opens the passage. It right away gives an idea of what life is like at the time. The comparisons that this passage makes (the best and worst, wisdom and foolishness, belief and incredulity, light and darkness, and hope and despair) explain that at this period of time the fight between these opposites is almost equal, and that all of these will take place in this story. Also, this passage is a comparison between doubles. Throughout the story, Charles Dickens also writes about similar pairs of doubles, such as Paris and London and Dr. Manette and the man from Lorry’s dream. The contents of this passage prepare us for the many challenges and differences that will come about in this book.
So I am wondering, how else are all of these comparisons related to the book so far? Is there a deeper meaning that Charles Dickens is trying to relate to? Also, could these comparisons be somehow related to the differences between life and death?
-Leah Sevco 
Category: Illuminator | Tags: Illuminator, period 3 6 comments »
February 13th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
hey leah =)
February 15th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I understand what you are trying to say Leah, but im not really sure that it is life and death. The dream guy and the real guy could mean that but i get a different view on it. When i read it i think that it was just a bad dream. I think that teh author did that dream guy to make us think. But then he unfolds the dream by showing us the story and idenify of the acual character. But I also notice how he does things in two. I think that this is because he wants us to relate to the title. What i mean is it is “A Tale OF TWO Cities.” So i think he does it in twos because he may use it later to show the difference of two cities.
Anways I like the quote you chose. I don’t really understand the thought process that Chales used for putting it on the very front page. I think it will unfold later in time just as the dream did.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Yes, they relate to life and death, at least I believe so because resurrection seems to be a major theme in this book so far. The people of London and France are in between life and death because the rulers of the lands have made it so hard for them to get food and live. Also Charles compared Dr. Manette’s situations of being a prisoner to one of a living man being buried. I don’t know if this will last for the rest of the book but the first paragraph in a Tale of Two Cities really sets the mood for the rest of the story.
-Rebecca Krick
February 15th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
This is a very good thought. Now that you say this it does seem to link between life and death. The quote in the first passage list very different things. Like darkness, light and heaven and hell. This relate to opposets like life and death. Then you talk about the dream and Dr. Manette. I don’t think that one relates to death and one relates to life like you think. I believe that they both represent life and death. Both start off with people that have given up or are dead inside. Though that they are given hope at life. In the dream the man is duggin up and Dr.Manette metts his daughter. This is a start at life for both of these men.
-Julian Garcia
February 15th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Leah you picked a very good quote to talk about. It has so much meaning, and it is very strange that Dickens puts it there right in the beggining. But i do think that it doees have to do with life and death, but i think there is more. I think that he is using the two comparisons, because we are having a setting in two cities. That is why the book is called “A Tale Of TWO Cities.”
Also I think that the time period plays a big role in this, because of life and death. I’m not that much familiar with the French Revolution, but i think that since they were talking about two pairs of kings and queens, that he is going to show the reader the differences during that time period. That is just a thjought, and I think we need to keep an eye on that.
-Alex Berresford
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:58 am
Leah: Good quote, though I would like to see you spend some more time tearing it apart and doing some analysis.
Responders: More!