Tale of Two Cities a historical novel? Give reasons for your answer
A Tale of Two Cities is a notable literary work by Charles Dickens. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of A Tale of Two Cities.
Answer
Would you call Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities a historical novel?” Give reasons for your answer. [NU: 2013, 15, 17, 19, 22] ★★★
Or. Evaluate Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” as a historical novel.
Charles Dickens (1812–1870) wrote “A Tale of Two Cities” in 1859. The novel is set between 1775 and 1794. It was the time of the French Revolution. The author blends real historical facts with fictional characters and personal stories. Through this method, he shows how great historical events influence ordinary people’s lives. For this reason, the book can rightly be called a historical novel.
Real Historical Events: The French Revolution is at the center of the story. Dickens shows events like the storming of the Bastille (1789). He also describes the burning of the Evrémonde château in Book Two, Chapter XXIII. The September Massacres of 1792 are recalled, where over 1,100 prisoners were killed. These real events create the background of the story. Through them, Dickens shows the fall of the aristocracy and the rise of mob violence.
Dickens’ Source and Aim: Dickens read Thomas Carlyle’s The French Revolution as his main source. Carlyle’s book gave him details of mobs, tribunals, and the Terror. Dickens wanted not just facts but moral lessons. He used history to show love, sacrifice, and human struggle. So, the novel is more a historical romance than a strict history.
Social Conditions: The novel shows the huge gap between the rich and the poor. The Marquis runs over a child with his carriage and gives a coin as payment. He says,
“Repression is the only lasting philosophy.”
This cruelty explains why the poor hated the nobles. In Book One, Chapter V, the wine-cask breaks in Saint Antoine. People drink the wine from the street. Dickens uses this to foreshadow bloodshed in the Revolution.
Powerful Symbols of History: The guillotine is the main symbol. Dickens calls it the “National Razor.” He even writes:
“It superseded the Cross.” (Book Three, Chapter IV).Unlock this study guide now
