Charles Dickens, author of A tale of Two Cities, is very unsympathetic to the French Revolution. Through his novel, he portrays his dislike toward the Revolution, and essentially war itself. His characters show how war turns humanity animalistic and pitiless. The French Revolution came about to free the French middle class and the peasantry from the oppressive aristocracy; however, after the overthrow, the people become oppressed under the new rulers, leaving the French Revolution not effective. In addition to the ineffectiveness and desensitization, war causes innocents to suffer. Dickens emphasizes his dislike through use of negative imagery and portrayal of the Revolution. The first reason that Dickens does not support the French Revolution is because of its lack of success. After the French peasantry overthrows the upper class, the head Revolutionaries take over. The Jacobins, the new leaders, are no less oppressive than the aristocracy. When they take over, people begin to die and continue to suffer. When
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When storming the Bastille, he describes them, “The sea of black and threatening waters, and of destructive upheaving… remorseless seas” (222). Dickens describes them as a dangerous and destructive sea; one without any remorse. The Revolutionaries, and in extension the Revolution, are destructive and remorseless. Through his portrayal of the negative aspects of the revolution and use of imagery in his novel, Charles Dickens relays his strong dislike of the French Revolution. He illustrates how the Revolution is not successful in freeing people of their oppression. In addition, he shows how the war desensitizes and makes people merciless. The last negative aspect that Dickens portrays is the suffering it causes to innocent people. He emphasizes his disdain through his negative imagery, making his lack of support toward the French Revolution
When storming the Bastille, he describes them, “The sea of black and threatening waters, and of destructive upheaving… remorseless seas” (222). Dickens describes them as a dangerous and destructive sea; one without any remorse. The Revolutionaries, and in extension the Revolution, are destructive and remorseless. Through his portrayal of the negative aspects of the revolution and use of imagery in his novel, Charles Dickens relays his strong dislike of the French Revolution. He illustrates how the Revolution is not successful in freeing people of their oppression. In addition, he shows how the war desensitizes and makes people merciless. The last negative aspect that Dickens portrays is the suffering it causes to innocent people. He emphasizes his disdain through his negative imagery, making his lack of support toward the French Revolution