Nordin 

English 1 Honors, Period 3 

15 March 2018 

A Tale of Two Cities, Book the First: Literary Analysis 

In his book, "A Tale of Two cities," Charles Dickens used parallelism to prove that with the brightest light comes the darkest of shadows. Dickens uses the settings of England and France within his novel, both of which are in violent and chaotic states. The people are consumed by fear and anger, while the government makes matters far worse. Within his first sentence, Dickens describes the time period in these places by saying, "it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness," (Dickens, 1). His contradicting phrases are examples of parallelism. They convey his belief that wherever good is, it will be accompanied by evil. It is the balance between the two that, according to Dickens' ideas, is constant in the way that they coexist with one another. The use of antonyms such as 'light' and 'darkness' in this example of parallelism convey Dickens' theme because it can be applied to the idea of light and shadows. If light can be present at the same time as shadows, then could the same be said about evil in the presence of good? In chapter 5, Dickens reinforces his beliefs when he says, "led, especially among the luckier or light- hearted, to frolicsome embraces, drinking of healths, shaking of hands, and even joining of hands and dancing, a dozen together. When the wine was gone, and the places where it had been most abundant were raking into a gridiron- pattern by fingers, these demonstrations ceased, as suddenly as they had broken out. The man who had left his saw sticking in the firewood he was cutting, set it in motion again," (Dickens 26, 27). This example begins with a time when people were happy and life was good until a change occurred and the good times came to an abrupt end. If bad and good didn't coexist, the idea of goodness wouldn't exist because there would be no evil to compare it to. In conclusion, Dickens uses parallelism in his novel to prove that the light of good things cannot be present without that darkness of what is evil. 

Nordin 

English 1H-3 

15 March 2018 

A Tale of Two Cities, Book the First: Literary Analysis. 

In Charles Dickens book A Tale of Two Cities, the author uses parallelism to state the theme that good and evil co-exist. 
 

The book begins with Charles Dickens using parallelism to describe the setting. The author says, "It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness." This shows direct parallelism as the phrase "It was the season of" is repeated. The only difference between the two is the season being of either light or darkness. This parallelism shows the theme by having these two different ideas parallel to each other showing how they're together and that darkness or evil cannot be without light, or good. 

Directly after that quote the author continues to describe the exposition using parallelism by saying "it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair." Not only is this quote parallel to itself, but it's parallel to the previous quote. The words "spring" and "winter" are seasons and "despair" is parallel with "darkness as "hope' is to "light" This helps reinforce the theme by using another parallel quote to the theme with spring and winter being part of our lives and co-existing with each other in the same year. 

Charles Dickens Uses parallelism to show how evil co-exists with good by comparing them to seasons and using repetition of phrases. 

Nordin 

E1H-3rd 

15/3/18 

In the novel, "A Tale of Two Cities" Charles Dickens uses parallelism to express thetheme of light and darkness existing at the same time. In Book the First, "Recalled to Life," the very first paragraph of the first chapter has this example, "It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness," (Dickens 1). This first paragraph has many examples of parallelism, this one implies the theme of the novel the most from all the examples. Later in Book the First, when Mr. Lorry and Miss Manette are meeting before going to Paris, Mr. Lorry explains about how Miss Manette's thought-to-be long dead father has been found, he says, "He is alive. Greatly changed," (Dickens 23). Here shows how a miracle of a man being alive after eighteen years, can immediately become a tragedy upon learning he is most likely very changed and not the same person. In conclusion, the theme that Charles Dickens conveys will grow throughout the novel is that light and darkness can exist at the same time. 

Ms. Nordin 

LA-3 

March 15, 2018 

 

In his novel "A Tale of Two Cities" Charles Dickens uses parallelism and antithesis to show that there is a perfect balance between pureness and evil, light and darkness. In the novel we are familiarized with the lives of French peasants as they build up to a revolution. Events leading to a revolution include: starvation (from lack of food), cruel punishments as well as imprisonments. One example, is when several passengers are traveling in a carriage and one, "started to the consciousness of daylight and found that the shadows of the night were gone"(Dickens, 13). Here the use of antithesis shows that this passenger since he or she had an awful event affect them must now have a positive one affect their life to balance it out.  This is illustrated as the shadows disappearing as the new light of day comes up over the horizon. The use of antithesis shows us that balance here between light and dark. Another example, when Monsieur Manette is reunited with his daughter but recalls several times during the interaction the, "One Hundred and Five, North Tower"(Dickens, 39). The parallelism of the phrase One Hundred and Five, North Tower shows when he was in this prison, it was an extremely traumatic experience. For that negative event he received an equally positive one, being released and eventually reunited with his daughter. Furthermore, showing this balance seen throughout the book between pureness and darkness. All in all, throughout the book different literary devices portray a theme of balance in all of life between good and evil. 

Nordin 

E1H-3 

15 March 2018 

Tale of Two Cities Book 1 Analysis 

In the novel, " Tale of Two Cities", Charles Dickens uses parallelism to prove that where there is good there is also evil. The story describes the times during the French Revolution especially within the countries of England and France. Dickens focuses on a story about an English banker who reunites a daughter with her father who has been locked away for eighteen years and presumed dead. First, in the opening statement Dickens uses parallelism when he describes the French Revolution, he describes, "...it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair..." (Dickens 1). Charles Dickens firstly uses parallelism as he repeats the phrase " it was the " to continuously describe the revolution. He also uses antithesis by contrasting different aspects of life to show the different feelings during the revolution. It explains how within life, overall, good and evil coexist. Also, within the story the banker known as Mr. Lorry informs the daughter Miss. Manette about her father being alive and free, he states, "But he has been – been found. He is alive. Greatly changed, it is too probable; almost a wreck, it is possible; though we will hope for the best... See now, see now! The best and the worst are known to you now. " (Dickens 24 and 25). As Mr. Lorry informs Miss. Manette he gives both good and bad news. The good news is that her once thought dead father is alive and freed from jail which is exciting. But, the bad news is that he is now probably only a shell of a man and torn apart after missing out on so much of life. This shows that although happiness has risen, tragedy has too fallen upon Miss. Manette. The French Revolution as well as the stories within the period prove that life cannot move without both good and bad times.

Nordin 

English 1 Honors, Period 3 

15 March 2018 

 

In the book, "A Tale of Two Cities", Charles Dickens uses parallelism to show that whenever one has good fortune, conversely the other person may face misfortune. So far in the book, poverty of the third estate is being emphasized and recognized while the higher corrupt social classes like the nobles enjoy their wealth. Dickens' parallelism uses antithesis and explains the theme well. In the book, Dickens states, "… it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair" (Dickens pg. 1). The antithesis and viewpoint of the two types of people experiencing these things currently. It represents the theme well since when the king and the nobles are enjoying their luxurious lives, they are conversely affecting the others, making the peasants, live in a season of darkness. Dickens also uses a metaphor to support the theme described above. This metaphor helps the reader understand the cause and effect portion of the theme. In the text, Dickens states, "So much the worse! A bitter taste it is that such poor cattle always have in their mouths, and hard lives they live" (Dickens pg. 31. This metaphor shows that the peasants live in such horrible conditions, that they are comparable to animals. Two unlike things are being compared, man, and animal. Since the kings used a lot of the money produced by the country for their own needs and to impose taxes on peasants, the peasants are just getting poorer. This represents the theme well since while the peasants are losing their money or having misfortunes, the kings are gaining money due to those imposed taxes. This represents the cause and effect portion of the theme very well. In conclusion, Charles Dickens was able to explain the theme, shown above, well due to his strong use of a metaphor and parallelism. 

Nordin

English 1 Honors, Period 3

15 March 2018

Charles Dickens, author of “A Tale of Two Cities” uses parallelism as well as diction to argue that where there is good, there is also evil. Dickens starts off his novel with phrases full of contradicting ideas such as “it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way”. (Dickens 1) The author utilizes the strategy of antithesis (a type of parallelism) to present to readers his views on life; that life is not a one-way streak. He refers to both good and bad in order to truly represent the two types of possibilities that life has instore for us, while also reminding readers that life is quite unpredictable. Using parallelism, the author proves that life is a decent pair of good and evil. Dickens continues to touch on the notion of life’s two-way path when the characters of Doctor Manette and Lucie Manette are introduced. Lucie, the daughter of Doctor Manette, is informed of her father’s whereabouts when a banker by the name of Mr. Jarvis Lorry, tells her “he has been-been found. He is alive. Greatly changed, it is too probable; almost a wreck, it is possible; though we will hope the best. Still alive”. (Dickens 23) Through the usage of diction, the author makes it more evident to readers how life is two-sided. Although being freed after eighteen years, is presumably a good thing, Mr. Manette’s time away from home after being wrongfully accused made him miss key moments in his, as well as his daughter’s life. Life’s unfairness has traumatized this man’s mind to the point in which his world before persecution is still very unknown and unfamiliar to him. Dickens uses words such as “wreck” to describe how Mr.Manette is now that he is freed and confused. However, the word “hope” is also present as a way of foreshadowing better times ahead and, in addition to that, as a way to continue to carry out his theme of even though life can be unjust, bad times are not forever; where there is darkness, there will also be light. By incorporating literature strategies such as parallelism and diction, Charles Dickens, author of the novel “A Tale of Two Cities” is able to prove to readers that where there is goodness, there will also be bad, and vice versa. 

Ms. Nordin 

English 1H–3  

15 March 2018 

 

In the first book, " Recalled to life" by Charels Dickens. I used parallelism to argue that where there is good, the is also evil. In the beginning of the book, the first sentence is, " It was the worst of times, it was the best of times." (Dickens 1) This quote is representing that in one period of time, it could be good like the best of times, but at the same time there is evil because it was the worst of times. The next piece of evidence is about the sound of evil and good it says, " The stillness consequent on the cessation of the rumbling and laboring of the coach, added to the stillness of the night, made it very quiet indeed." (Dickens 6) This evidence is proving that during the stillness of the night, how quiet the time was. It was good, but it also says the stillness on the cessation was rumbling and there was laboring of the coach. This is showing that there was good, quiet, peace, but then there was evil that interrupted the peace of night. With its evil, it's evil of rumbling labor from the coach. All in all this book during the time that is takes place, there is good but where there is good there is always evil. 

Nordin 

English 1H – Period 3 

15 March 2018 

A Tale of Two Cities Literary Analysis 

In his novel, "A Tale of Two Cities", Charles Dickens uses parallelism to show that good and evil coexist and appear together. In the book, Dickens wrote about France and England during the period around the French revolution. In this time, there were major differences in social and economic classes, and many people were living poorly. When describing the period, Dickens wrote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness." (Dickens 1). This is an example of parallelism because it repeats the ideas and emphasizes them. The contradicting ideas of the time show how there were both good and bad everywhere. Life in England and France was good for some and was bad for others. When wine spills in the streets of Paris, "A shrill sound of laughter and amused voices – voices of men, women, and children – resounded in the street while this wine game lasted." (Dickens 26). The people in the streets were happy at the broken wine cask. They fought over it, which was bad, but they got something to drink and they were starving. There was good and bad in the wine barrel breaking. Someone's misfortune ended up being another person's happiness. The use of parallelism by Dickens shows that good and bad usually coexist. 

Nordin 

English 1H-3 

15 March 2018 

A tale of two cities Literary Analysis 

In the book a tale of two cities Charles Dickens uses parallelism to develop a theme of opposition to tell you that there cannot be good without evil.  Dickens starts out by saying, "It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness." (Dickens 1) This is saying at this time there is a lot good things going on but there is a lot of terrible things going on at the same time.  This effects the readers under standing by making them think when the author tells you about one thing good is going on in the world you know it will have something of the opposite manner going on. Later in the book a large cask of wine is split. As the peasants drink it they start to get extremely drunk.  The wine shop owner being a wealthier man starts to laugh at one of them and says," What now? Are you a subject for the mad hospital."? (Dickens 29) This shows the hatred between the upper and lower class. When there is hatred there is evil and opposition. They are opposite classes working against each other.  This helps the reader see that when there is always evil in the world. This is how Charles Dickens continues to develop his theme of good and evil. By showing you real examples of this happening. 

 

Nordin 

E1H-3 

15 March 2018 

A Tale of Two Cities Analysis Paragraph 

In the novel, "A Tale of Two Cities," Charles dickens uses parallelism to prove that where there is good, there is also evil. During this time, the third estate is full of hunger and has heavy taxes being implemented on them causing a severeeconomic depression. The first and second estates, had a lot of money that was only being used for their benefit making the country broke and upsetting the third estate which caused the rising of the enlightenment. While showing to contrasting effects of this event, Dickens writes, " … it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness...," (Dickens 1). By comparing the two opposite Light and Dark, Dickens is using parallelism to display the contrast of the quality of life between the estates. In this usage, light is representing the good and dark the evil, to relate it to the lives of people that were impacted. Later in the novel, Ms.Manettes lawyer Mr. Lorry has a meeting with her, telling her that it was him who'd brought her to England as a baby due to her mother wishes. He discusses he past and tells her that her father had actually not been dead for many years saying, " He is alive. Greatly changed is to probable: almost a wreck, it is possible...still, alive. Your father has been taken to the house of an old servant in Paris, and we are going there...," (Dickens 23). Ms. Mannettes father, is both evil and good. His past had been full of evil, landing him in prison for many years but, his current life and future seem to be good because he is teaching himself new, healthier ways of life. This contrasting character, develops the theme by supporting the expression 'recalled to life' meaning he got a second chance basically to reflect upon and fix his life. Charles Dickens uses parallelism in the novel, "A Tale of Two Cities," to prove that where there is good, you will also find evil. 

Nordin 

English 1H-3 

15 March, 2018 

 

In "A Tale of Two Cities," by Charles Dickens, he uses parallelism to explain the good and bad fortune in peoples' lives. In the opening paragraph, Dickens explains that for every good thing happening in one persons life, may be different and much worse for another persons life. The use of parallelism adds to the story to convey many different view points that one can look at the theme. For example, in the opening paragraph, in the quote, "We were all going to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way," lets the reader have a variety of different opinions on what it states. The quote can have many different meanings and understandings but the main idea is that in the world, some may be joyful and others could be miserable. Throughout the book, this same theme pops up and creates a mysterious effect and keeps the reader guessing. In the quote, "recalled to life," Dickens uses this many times in book one to reveal the start/ rebirth of life. The quote shows the theme because if one is in the midst of troubles then they can find a way to safety through a new start/rebirth.  

Ms.Nordin 

English 1 honors 

March 15, 2018 

                                                        Tale of Two Cities Book 1 Writing 

In the book "A Tale of Two Cities" Charles Dickens uses parallelism to prove that in the light, there is always a place left in the dark. The book is about a man named Mr. Lorry who works at Tellson's Bank is trying to recall Dr. Manette to life from his long time of being locked up in prison. Also tensions in France are building and many are being killed by the guillotine. Things in England are not much different there were many burglaries by people who are armed and there were traitors who were killed. An example that proves the theme is when the author uses parallelism to describe the setting in France and England he states, "It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness." (Dickens 1) the author uses parallelism in the quote and antithesis is shown when he contradicts light with dark. Also, it connects to the theme because Dickens says that it's the season for light and darkness which means that both are always present no matter where someone might be. Furthermore, meaning that they will always be there even in the happiest of times or the lowest of times happy needs evil and evil needs happy. Which relates to the theme because when the light is moved darkness is created but the light shines on something new. Another example is when Mr. Lorry is on the mail coach, dozing in and out of reality dreaming about Tellson's Bank he states, "When the weary passengers started to the consciousness of daylight, and found that the shadows of the night were gone." (Dickens 13) The author is saying that when you step into the light the darkness will fade away, which relates to the theme because if the light is on, then the darkness is not under the light, but the evil is somewhere else. Also, the author is implying that it is possible to get rid of the dark, but to they must be the daylight. When the light is on the passengers it got rid of their shadows which is portrayed as evil. All in all when the light is moved it creates darkness because even if there is more light the shadows will still follow.      

T.O.T.C Literary Analysis 

Nordin 3rd  

3/15/17 

 

In his book, "The Tale of Two Cities," Charles dickens employs antithesis to prove the theme of how good and evil exist together, side by side, with balance in France. When Dickens first starts the book, he uses antithesis within his parallelism to show the calm and chaotic side of France. He contradicts how things are both good and bad by saying, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."(Dickens pg. 1) This simple piece of antithesis in his parallelism helps to portray the state that France is in and how it effects the citizens within it. Without this, no reader would have the foundation or setting for the book. Another strong piece is when Dickens was explaining the before and after of the wine barrel breaking and how the citizens reacted. He shows the aftermath by saying, "And now that the cloud settled on St. Antione, which a momentary gleam had driven form his sacred countenance, the darkness of it was heavy-cold, dirt, sickness, ignorance, and want..."(Dickens pg. 27) This piece of evidence shows how the peasants and the poor use every positive thing they can get, including wine spilling through the dirt for their thirsty and starved children and families. Yet when that disappears, the sadness of their situation returns until another good thing. This shows how Dickens antithesis provides the perfect contrast of good and evil in France.  

T.O.T.C Literary Analysis 

Nordin 3rd  

3/15/17 

 

In his book, "The Tale of Two Cities," Charles dickens employs antithesis to prove the theme of how good and evil exist together, side by side, with balance in France. When Dickens first starts the book, he uses antithesis within his parallelism to show the calm and chaotic side of France. He contradicts how things are both good and bad by saying, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."(Dickens pg. 1) This simple piece of antithesis in his parallelism helps to portray the state that France is in and how it effects the citizens within it. Without this, no reader would have the foundation or setting for the book. Another strong piece is when Dickens was explaining the before and after of the wine barrel breaking and how the citizens reacted. He shows the aftermath by saying, "And now that the cloud settled on St. Antione, which a momentary gleam had driven form his sacred countenance, the darkness of it was heavy-cold, dirt, sickness, ignorance, and want..."(Dickens pg. 27) This piece of evidence shows how the peasants and the poor use every positive thing they can get, including wine spilling through the dirt for their thirsty and starved children and families. Yet when that disappears, the sadness of their situation returns until another good thing. This shows how Dickens antithesis provides the perfect contrast of good and evil in France.  

T.O.T.C Literary Analysis 

Nordin 3rd  

3/15/17 

 

In his book, "The Tale of Two Cities," Charles dickens employs antithesis to prove the theme of how good and evil exist together, side by side, with balance in France. When Dickens first starts the book, he uses antithesis within his parallelism to show the calm and chaotic side of France. He contradicts how things are both good and bad by saying, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."(Dickens pg. 1) This simple piece of antithesis in his parallelism helps to portray the state that France is in and how it effects the citizens within it. Without this, no reader would have the foundation or setting for the book. Another strong piece is when Dickens was explaining the before and after of the wine barrel breaking and how the citizens reacted. He shows the aftermath by saying, "And now that the cloud settled on St. Antione, which a momentary gleam had driven form his sacred countenance, the darkness of it was heavy-cold, dirt, sickness, ignorance, and want..."(Dickens pg. 27) This piece of evidence shows how the peasants and the poor use every positive thing they can get, including wine spilling through the dirt for their thirsty and starved children and families. Yet when that disappears, the sadness of their situation returns until another good thing. This shows how Dickens antithesis provides the perfect contrast of good and evil in France.  

T.O.T.C Literary Analysis 

Nordin 3rd  

3/15/17 

 

In his book, "The Tale of Two Cities," Charles dickens employs antithesis to prove the theme of how good and evil exist together, side by side, with balance in France. When Dickens first starts the book, he uses antithesis within his parallelism to show the calm and chaotic side of France. He contradicts how things are both good and bad by saying, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."(Dickens pg. 1) This simple piece of antithesis in his parallelism helps to portray the state that France is in and how it effects the citizens within it. Without this, no reader would have the foundation or setting for the book. Another strong piece is when Dickens was explaining the before and after of the wine barrel breaking and how the citizens reacted. He shows the aftermath by saying, "And now that the cloud settled on St. Antione, which a momentary gleam had driven form his sacred countenance, the darkness of it was heavy-cold, dirt, sickness, ignorance, and want..."(Dickens pg. 27) This piece of evidence shows how the peasants and the poor use every positive thing they can get, including wine spilling through the dirt for their thirsty and starved children and families. Yet when that disappears, the sadness of their situation returns until another good thing. This shows how Dickens antithesis provides the perfect contrast of good and evil in France.  

Responding to Kiley Lamb 

T.O.T.C. Literary Analysis  

Nordin, 3 

March 15, 2018 

 

 

In the book, a Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens uses parallelism to prove that when there is good there is bad and vice versa. For example, in the text in the beginning of the book, Dickens describes the time period of the book as,"...it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we have everything before us, we have nothing before us..."(Dickens, 1) The author tells the time period with a lot of contrast the first few sentences of the book form two different viewpoints from two different people therefore using antithesis. The positive descriptions might be from the king or people of higher class and the negative description might be from the peasants suffering stating the quote is parallelism. This explains that good and bad mostly coexist and work together. For instance, the shoemaker meets his daughter, Lucie, and Charles Dickens describes the moments as," His cold white head mingled with her radiant hair, which warmed and lighted it as though it were the light of Freedom shining on him."  (Dickens, 43) The "bad" in this quote is the way the shoemaker's hair is told as "cold" and "white" and the "good" in this quote is the way the author describes the daughter's hair as "warm' and "lighted". This makes this quote an example of antithesis. This explains the way the two contrast in differences. These reasons prove the theme of, there is good in the bad and bad in the good.   

Mrsnordin 

Tale Of Two Cities literacy response: 

 

  In the book "a tale of two cities", Dickens uses details to show that at the time the writingn was based apon, life was very versatile, some days things would be good and other days things would be bad, you never knew. Evil and good lived together to make this statement true. Nothing was ever the same or consistent. Dickens begins his book by saying "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times."(pg.1)This quote goes to explain how at the time, things were dangerous because you never knew when the good times or bad times were going to occur. So to overall describe the times, it would be the best of times and the worst of times. It conveys parallelism because it shows how both counter descriptions can be used to describe one point in time and make sense using the coordination of good and evil side by side. My next quote is "Daring burglaries by armed men and highway robberies took place in the capital every night.''(pg.3) This quote shows the idea of evil in the town and though there is evil, there are good people. The survival of evil and good in the book is a constant idea that is expressed in many different ways throughout the story. Over all, I believe a strong theme the author would really want us to understand is how truly dangerous life was and how living with evil and good was very diffcult. 

Nordin

E1H-3

15 March 2018

Literary Analysis

In his book, A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens uses parallelism to show the theme that even in the light there is darkness, and even in the dark there is always some light. Darkness and light together in the time are shown by this quote, “It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness.” (Dickens 1).  Dickens is developing a theme to show that darkness and light need each other to survive, and it is a perfect balance between the two.  You can’t have a good day without something bad in it, and vice versa, but in the novel it’s a time period not a day.  The whole time through these chapters are light entertwined with darkness.  Every person had secrets and are very distrusting of everyone.  Each person feels in danger of each other, “A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.”  People can’t trust each other, because they live in an age of deception.  People are dying and spying and hurting each other.  In conclusion, the secrets and mystery are ripping the country apart, causing chaos.