Short note on Tellson Bank in “A Tale of Two Cities”

Answer

Write a short note on Tellson Bank, “A Tale of Two Cities”.

Tellson’s Bank is a well-known financial institution in London and Paris. It is used several times in the novel “A Tale of Two Cities” (1859) by Charles Dickens (1812-1870). Tellson’s Bank is portrayed as a traditional institution. It has great significance in the novel.

Location of the Bank: In the novel ” A Tale of Two Cities,” Two cities refer to London and Paris.  The Tellson Bank stands for the London Bank. It is near the Temple Bar, a gate dividing London from the Westminister. It is defined in the novel as

“very small, very dark, very ugly, very incommodious.” 

Background of Tellson Bank: “Tellson’s Bank, in the City of London, ” is old and dull. Employees of this bank boast of its traditional values. This bank’s old-fashioned setting indicates its conventional way of business. All changes, but it remains unshaked.

Importance of this bank: Mr Jarvis Lorry, along with other employees, works at Tellson’s Bank. Despite its ugly environment, the authority refuses to reform it. Instead, the authority feels proud of it and runs the bank, collecting money from the reputed businessmen of the locality. 

Finally, The bank has a strange rule. It does not allow junior employees to engage in important banking functions. This bank is indeed a symbol of capitalism. It assures the customer’s stability in times of crisis. Thus, in this historical novel, this bank serves as a safety weapon in hard times.