BackgroundBackground

Dickens' twelfth novel was published in his new Dickens' twelfth novel was published in his new weekly journal, weekly journal, All the Year RoundAll the Year Round, without , without illustrations. Simultaneously with the weekly parts, illustrations. Simultaneously with the weekly parts, the novel was also published in monthly parts with the novel was also published in monthly parts with illustrations by Hablot Browne. An American edition illustrations by Hablot Browne. An American edition was also published, in slightly later weekly parts was also published, in slightly later weekly parts (May to December 1859), in(May to December 1859), inHarper's WeeklyHarper's Weekly. . 

The novel, which begins "It was the best of times, it The novel, which begins "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", is set against the backdrop was the worst of times", is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and Dickens researched of the French Revolution and Dickens researched the historical background meticulously, using his the historical background meticulously, using his friend Thomas Carlyle’s friend Thomas Carlyle’s History of the French History of the French RevolutionRevolution as a reference. as a reference.

Major ThemesMajor Themes

ResurrectionResurrection Class StruggleClass Struggle SacrificeSacrifice

Major CharactersMajor Characters

Doctor ManetteDoctor Manette

Character TraitsCharacter Traits

HonestHonest SincereSincere SensitiveSensitive BraveBrave SelflessSelfless

Lucie ManetteLucie Manette(The doctor’s daughter)(The doctor’s daughter)

Character TraitsCharacter Traits

Extremely caring and devotedExtremely caring and devoted Someone who believed in her inner Someone who believed in her inner

goodness to the extent of goodness to the extent of penetrating it to anyone elsepenetrating it to anyone else

Brave enough to face any trouble Brave enough to face any trouble without shatteringwithout shattering

Charles DarnayCharles Darnay

Character TraitsCharacter Traits

Loved justiceLoved justice Hated oppressionHated oppression Hard workingHard working Sincere Sincere

Sydney CartonSydney Carton

Character TraitsCharacter Traits

CynicalCynical SincereSincere Unassuming Unassuming Helpful Helpful

Jarvis LorryJarvis Lorry

Character TraitCharacter Trait

A man of bussinessA man of bussiness Extremely loyal to everyone he was Extremely loyal to everyone he was

associated withassociated with Firm with rulesFirm with rules

Miss ProssMiss Pross

Character TraitsCharacter Traits

EmotionalEmotional LoyalLoyal Strong headedStrong headed Devoted Devoted

Emphasis on religion in Emphasis on religion in novelnovel

There is a special stress on religion in There is a special stress on religion in the novelthe novel

All the major characters are more or All the major characters are more or less religious peopleless religious people

Believe in the hereafter is very much Believe in the hereafter is very much stressed toostressed too

Good versus EvilGood versus Evil

GoodGood

The perseverance of The perseverance of values against all oddsvalues against all odds

Believe in God and the Believe in God and the ultimate retributionultimate retribution

The strength to resist The strength to resist tyranny and stand tyranny and stand against itagainst it

EvilEvil

The oppression by the The oppression by the ruling classruling class

The unflinching desire The unflinching desire to take revengeto take revenge

The boldness in doing The boldness in doing crimes crimes

Sequence of EventsSequence of Events

Doctor Doctor Manette’sManette’s is imprisonedis imprisoned Charles Charles Darnay’sDarnay’s case in Englandcase in England Charles and Charles and LucieLucie get wedded get wedded Foulon is executedFoulon is executed The fall of BastilleThe fall of Bastille Mr Defarge searches Doctor Mr Defarge searches Doctor

Manette’s cellManette’s cell Gabelle’s arrestedGabelle’s arrested

The Fall of Bastille

Charles Darnay arrives in Paris Doctor Manette’s makes efforts to release

Darnay Charles is arrested again Doctor Manette loses his mind again Sydney Carton’s arrives in Paris Miss Pross encounters John Solomon (her

brother) Sydney Carton talks to Solomon Sydney Carton takes Charles place at the

guillotine Sydney Carton dies Charles Darnay reaches England safely!

The Guillotine

Faith VindicatesFaith Vindicates

““It is a far, far better thing that I It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to far, far better rest that I go to

than I have ever known”than I have ever known”