A Tale of Two Cities

By Charles Dickens

Reported by Bill JonesMs. Smith’s 9th Grade Literature ClassMiddletown High School

Setting

Paris, France, before and during the French Revolution in 1775

Main Characters

Lucie Manette (later Darnay) A beautiful young woman recognized for her kindness and compassion.

Sydney Carton An apathetic lawyer who look like Charles and is also in love with Lucie. Sacrifices himself to save Charles

Charles Darnay A French aristocrat. Marries Lucie and is put on trial during the Revolution for the crimes of his family

Main Characters

Dr. Alexandre Manette Lucie’s father who was secretly imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years. Tries to save son-in-law, Charles from the guillotine

Madame Therese Defarge A hard, vengeful woman who leads the female revolutionaries in killing the aristocrats

Plot

The story centers around events before and during the French Revolution and its affect on the lives of the book’s characters. Charles Darany renounces his name of St. Evremonde, a cruel aristocratic family, and moves to England. Works as a tutor for Lucie Manette and later marries her. He helps Lucie care for her father, Alexandre Manette who suffers from mental trauma after 18 years of imprisonment. He returns to France during the revolution to aid his friends. He is accused by Madame Defarge and sentenced to death. Sydney Carton, who also loves Lucie, switches places with Charles in prison to save him for Lucie.

My Thoughts

Revenge has a destructive power and forgiveness healing.

Unconditional love and compassion can overcome violence and hatred.

The evil done to others will often return to destroy those that commit it.