Future to Choose “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable” - John F. Kennedy. After the American Revolution, French soldiers returned filled with ideas of freedom and revolution. These thoughts, combined with the oppression of the aristocracy and poverty of the lower classes, resulted in the explosion of the French Revolution in 1789 (Stordahl). The Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is regarded as one of the most famous pieces of literature about the French Revolution. At first glance, it is a tale of a romance during a dangerous time, but underneath the surface lies the critiques of Dickens on society and the consequences of leaving it unchecked. The novel is Dickens’ warning to England
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Historically, it began in 1789 after Estate-General rejected the demands of the Third Estate to have votes according to population and not per estate (Stordahl). In response, the National Assembly announce itself as the new government of France. The Storming of the Bastille, during the same year, creates the spark that will burn into a revolutionary fervor (Kagel). It is a chaotic battle with “flashing weapons, blazing torches, smoking waggon-loads of wet straw, hard work at neighbouring barricade in all directions, shrieks volleys, execrations, bravery without stint, boom,smash and rattle...” (Dickens 218). The revolutionaries overcome the fortress of a prison, but are describe as being part of a mass. They are considered simply as another member of the sea of chaos “that rushed in, as if there were an eternity of people” (219). The revolutionaries are bound together under a single minded motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity or Death” in Dickens’s eyes. The true motto of the French Revolution did not include “or Death” (Stordal). The power of the mob is what gave the revolution its force. This mob mentality was one of Dickens 's greatest fears. “He seems to caution that mob tyranny....can be as frightening as any oppressive ruler” (Moss and Wilson 376). The mob is a dangerous force that will cause destruction if left …show more content…
For France, where revolution has already passed, the “long ranks of the new oppressors who have risen on the destruction of the old, [will perish] by this retributive instrument” (381). Literary Critic Harold Bloom adds: “Revolution as [Dickens] sees it is merely a monster that is begotten by tyranny and always ends by devouring its owns instruments” (Bloom 4576). After the oppressors are gone, “a beautiful city and a brilliant people [will rise] from this abyss” ( Dickens 381) left by the destruction of the revolution. In England, which is untouched, lives are “peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy”. The wrongs of the revolution to the Darnay family, are resolved in the novel by the sacrifice of another, Sydney Carton. This is message to those that need to give up a little, so that disaster will not fall upon everyone. This is one of the wishes for England future. An England where the rich are truly noble, and there is no chance for a destructive revolution.
Dickens places many of his worries for England in the Tale of Two Cities, from the problem of the powerful to the possibilities of revolution, but never does he give up hope. There is always the way to redemption and stability if one is willing to strive toward it. The French Revolution was a seemingly small event that had a huge impacted on the rest of Europe. It demonstrated the power yet danger of the masses. If one person,tries to make a difference
Historically, it began in 1789 after Estate-General rejected the demands of the Third Estate to have votes according to population and not per estate (Stordahl). In response, the National Assembly announce itself as the new government of France. The Storming of the Bastille, during the same year, creates the spark that will burn into a revolutionary fervor (Kagel). It is a chaotic battle with “flashing weapons, blazing torches, smoking waggon-loads of wet straw, hard work at neighbouring barricade in all directions, shrieks volleys, execrations, bravery without stint, boom,smash and rattle...” (Dickens 218). The revolutionaries overcome the fortress of a prison, but are describe as being part of a mass. They are considered simply as another member of the sea of chaos “that rushed in, as if there were an eternity of people” (219). The revolutionaries are bound together under a single minded motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity or Death” in Dickens’s eyes. The true motto of the French Revolution did not include “or Death” (Stordal). The power of the mob is what gave the revolution its force. This mob mentality was one of Dickens 's greatest fears. “He seems to caution that mob tyranny....can be as frightening as any oppressive ruler” (Moss and Wilson 376). The mob is a dangerous force that will cause destruction if left …show more content…
For France, where revolution has already passed, the “long ranks of the new oppressors who have risen on the destruction of the old, [will perish] by this retributive instrument” (381). Literary Critic Harold Bloom adds: “Revolution as [Dickens] sees it is merely a monster that is begotten by tyranny and always ends by devouring its owns instruments” (Bloom 4576). After the oppressors are gone, “a beautiful city and a brilliant people [will rise] from this abyss” ( Dickens 381) left by the destruction of the revolution. In England, which is untouched, lives are “peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy”. The wrongs of the revolution to the Darnay family, are resolved in the novel by the sacrifice of another, Sydney Carton. This is message to those that need to give up a little, so that disaster will not fall upon everyone. This is one of the wishes for England future. An England where the rich are truly noble, and there is no chance for a destructive revolution.
Dickens places many of his worries for England in the Tale of Two Cities, from the problem of the powerful to the possibilities of revolution, but never does he give up hope. There is always the way to redemption and stability if one is willing to strive toward it. The French Revolution was a seemingly small event that had a huge impacted on the rest of Europe. It demonstrated the power yet danger of the masses. If one person,tries to make a difference