Critically analyze the Tragic Elements of A Tale of Two Cities

Answer

Critically analyze the tragic elements of A Tale of Two Cities.

Charles Dickens’s (1812-1870) A Tale of Two Cities (1859) is not only a historical novel about the French Revolution but also a deep tragedy. Tragedy means a story where suffering, loss, and sacrifice lead to a powerful moral truth. Dickens shows how personal lives are caught in the violence of history. The novel’s tragic elements come from broken families, cruel injustice, wasted lives, and noble sacrifice. These elements make the story both painful and uplifting at the same time.

The Broken Life of Dr. Manette: One of the first tragic figures in the novel is Dr. Alexandre Manette. He spent eighteen years in the Bastille prison for a crime he did not commit. When he is released, he is so broken that he spends his time making shoes. He has forgotten his love, family, and even himself. Dickens calls it “recalled to life.” But Dr. Manette’s mental scars remain. This tragedy shows how injustice can destroy a man’s identity. The love of his daughter, Lucie, helps him heal. However, the shadow of his long suffering never fully leaves. His pain reminds us of the cruelty of the old society before the Revolution.

Cruelty and Suffering: Another tragic element is the suffering/misery of the common people. The peasants have hardly anything to eat. At the same time, the cruelty of the nobles makes the tragedy worse. The Marquis St. Evrémonde runs over a poor child with his carriage and throws a coin as payment. He says,

“It is extraordinary to me that you people cannot take care of yourselves and your children.”

This cruelty shows why the Revolution came. Later, we realize the tragic truth that violence breeds violence.

Charles Darnay and the Curse of His Family: Charles Darnay is another tragic character. Although he is kind and rejects his family’s cruelty, he cannot escape revenge. As the nephew of the Marquis, he is hated by the French people. When