A Tale of Two Cities

There are no clear cut scenarios in DickensÆ A Tale of Two Cities. The heroes are also the villains, whether it is Charles Darnay who is a good man but also represents the often evil others of his class or Sydney Carton, who Faulkner (2001 2) calls, ôàa drunk and a wastrel, but also gives his life for another.ö This is why Carton maintains moments before his death that it is a ôfar, far better thingö he does than he has ever before done (Dickens 1859 Bk. 3 Ch. 15).

The use of paradoxes is intentional, as Dickens is portraying two revolutions, one of politics and one of generations. At times, France is in conflict with itself, including its political and familial past and present. The logical paradoxes used by Dickens in the story add to this sociopolitical conflict and its numerous co

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s, ôThe linking of opposites as coexistent truths constitutes a powerful paradox that reached beyond reason to explain the contradictions of the human condition.ö Carton also maintains in his final words, a logical paradox, that it is ôàa far, far better restö that he goes to than he has ever known (Dickens 1859 Bk. 3 Ch. 15). This seeming contradiction is logical, for he has never rested during his life as he will for all eternity in death. He also will rest more because, while alive he is seldom content with his relationships or his life activities, though in death he will sleep restfully knowing he has given his life for a better future. It will be an undisturbed and complete rest, something not possible in life for Carton. OÆMealy (10) notes this condition when he maintains that one of DickensÆ main issues in the novel is ôàwhether free choices are possible in a world where the forces of inevitability appear to overwhelm the individual.ö We see this is certainly true with respect to the seamstress who dies along with Carton as well as for Darnay who cannot escape but for the interference and sacrifice of Carton. While alive, we often exhibit behavior and engage in actions of which we are not proud. Sydney Carton certainl
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Approximate Word count = 1466
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)