Lecture Notes on A Tale of Two Cities

The following notes will probably be difficult to understand, as they will reflect my train of thought, not legibility.

Manchester (Third city (pun?) ) - Also involved within the novel.

"I have suffered in these pages" Dickens wrote in discussing A Tale of Two Cities.
- Why? Was it emotional for the author to write about the conflict?

Ellen Turnin (Fell in love and separated from his wife)
- Gives Lucie the final "e" in resembling Ellen, I believe.
- Sacrifices his self-being in order to allow others to live happily.

C.D. and D.C. (Characters) - Names reversed in order to symbolize their differences.

"Dickens' experiences gave him an extensive and peculiar sense of the city."
- His "Lantern"
- His genius was due to London being like a newspaper (Disconnected with all the information there)
- "Paris is the most extraordinary place in the world. It is perfectly distinct and my head/eyes ached from the novelty repeatedly being shoved down my throat."

1844-1868: 15 visits to Paris (Absolutely obsessed with the city)
- Vibrant, modernizing city. The light was exaggerated.
- Fascinated by the darker side of the city as well. Wicked and uncomfortably attractive.

London and Paris are similar (As says the famous opening to the novel)
- It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
- It was the year of our lord, 1775.
- "It is so far like the present time."

The Victorians were haunted by the memory of the French Revolution.
- Horror of riot, or mob violence.
- Faces the fear of the Victorians in the novel (revolution).

The "Best story I have written."
- The French dramatization never happened, supposedly.
- 35 performances
- Popular image was the man stepping towards the guillotine.
- 1948 was the first television showing.

"A just and loving man." (Written about Dickens)

His words are extremely powerful and meaningful. (Refer to quotations within the novel, or lecture 42:00 - 45:00)

"I will carry my individuality to my life's end." (Possibly reflecting Pip in Great Expectations)
- Connections between the novels?
- They were written fairly close together in time.

"The answer was always the same - Almost 18 years."
- "I can't say I want to live."

45 when he met Ellen. Lucie was 17.

Feel free to comment and ask any questions if you are curious about my notes.