What does the broken wine cask symbolise?
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, to various questions of A Tale of Two Cities.
Answer
What does the broken wine cask symbolize?
In literature, symbolism is an essential part of any literary work. It conveys deeper meanings and themes of any literary work like drama, novels, fiction, nonfiction, short stories, etc. The broken wine cask is a symbolic element in the novel “A Tale of Two Cities” (1859) by Charles Dickens (1812-1870). The novel is set during the turbulent times of the French Revolution. Various symbols are used in the novel to describe different issues and ideas of contemporary society.
Injustice and Inequality: The novel “The Broken Wine Cask” symbolizes the stark contrast between the rich and the poor in French society during the late 18th century. The story unfolds impoverished citizens of Saint Antoine, Paris, who gather around the spilled wine when a wine cask breaks. This scene highlights the lower classes’ extreme poverty and suffering.
Desperation and Dehumanization: The sight of the common people running to collect spilled wine from the streets reflects their hopeless circumstances. The novel portrays the working class as reduced to the level of animals. They are willing to tolerate shame and indignity for even the smallest sustenance. This dehumanization comes from the extreme poverty and injustice that they face under oppressive rule.
Foreshadowing of Revolution: “The Broken Wine Cask” also symbolizes a foreshadowing of the upcoming revolution. The growing anger and frustration among the people due to their miserable conditions are bound to explode in a violent revolt against the ruling aristocracy. The spilled wine acts as a metaphor for the people’s bloodshed in their dream of justice. It indicates the bloodshed that occurred during the French Revolution.
Symbol of Waste and Excess: The spilled wine represents the wasteful excesses of the upper class. While the poor barely survive and struggle for necessities, the nobility is shown to be frivolous and wasteful. This symbolism emphasizes the unjust and unsustainable nature of the prevailing social order.
In summary, the broken wine cask in “A Tale of Two Cities” is a multi-layered symbol that conveys themes of injustice, inequality, and desperation. It foreshadows revolution, waste, revolution’s impact, and the collection of revenge and bitterness. Dickens skillfully employs this symbol to provide a powerful commentary on his time’s social and political environment.