A Tale of Two Cities

By Charles Dickens

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Table of Contents-Novel’s Background-Author’s Background-Monarchy of France-Monarchy of England-Paris-London-French Revolution

Novel’s Background- The novel is set in the two cities of London and

Paris and their surrounding areas. Below is a map to depict the settings.

- The time frame for the novel is 1775-1793.- The novel was published in 1859, though originally

written in serial form.

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Charles Dickens• (1812-1860)• 1 wife; 10 children• Charles Dickens is one

the premier English novelists of the The Victorian Era. Another link to Victorian England. A common thread throughout his works is his criticism and commentary on social injustices and hypocrisy.

Dickens’ Works

Birth and youth• Charles Dickens was

born in Portsmouth on February 7, 1812. In 1814, Dickens moved to London and later to Chatham to receive education. At the age of 12, Dickens was sent to work at a factory, while his father, John Dickens, was serving time in a debtor's prison.

Family Life• Family: Dickens married

Catherine Hogarth in 1836; they later separated in 1858. They had ten children.

Death and Later years• In 1860, Dickens moved

permanently to his house near Chatham. He died at his home Gad’s Hill on 6/9/1870 and he was buried in Westminster Abbey on 6/14. His last novel The Mystery Of Edwin Drood was left unfinished.

Monarchy of France• Louis XVI

• The King and Queen resided in their palace of

Versailles.

• Marie Antoinette

Louis XVI• Birth: 1754; Death: 1793• Resided at Versailles• Ascended the throne at age 20• Married to Marie Antoinette• Under his reign, France entered a state

of financial crisis, due largely to the Seven Years War and support of America during the American Revolution. Over ½ of the country’s budget was used to pay off debt.

• In 1791, he was tried by the National Convention and charged with treason. He was executed on January 21, 1793. His execution marked the end of absolute monarchy in France and would prompt the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

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Marie Antoinette• Birth: 1755; Death: 1793• Born in Austria• Resided at Versailles• Became Queen at age 19• Married to King Louis XVI at age

14• Marie was famous for her

lavish spending and deemed “Queen Deficit” by the French commoners.

• She is often misquoted saying, “Let them eat cake!”

• Perhaps it was she who was responsible for the French Revolution with her involvement in the Diamond Necklace Affair.

Diamond Necklace Affair

Marie Antoinette is widely speculated to be a main catalyst of the French Revolution due to the “Diamond Necklace Affair.”

“Let them eat cake!”

Marie Antoinette is famous for saying, “Let them eat cake!” in response to the fact that many of France’s lower class were starving. Did she really say this? CLICK HERE.

Versailles• Versailles: Home of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Above: Versailles, outside

Below: Versailles, inside the hall of mirrors

Above: Versailles, landscaping

Below: Versailles, outside

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Rules of Versailles -Versailles was a very elaborate palace. Naturally,

the rules of the palace were quite detailed. These rules made ceremonies out of everyday tasks such as getting dressed or obtaining a glass of water. The Rules of Versailles

Monarchy of England• King George III was England’s monarch during the American

Revolution. In 1776, America pulled away from Great Britain to gain independence. Many in Britain viewed George III as a failure, since the colonies were lost under his reign.

• Born in 1738, George III was the first son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta.

• He happily married Charlotte of Mecklinburg-Strelitz in 1761. The couple bore fifteen children: nine sons and six daughters.

• George was afflicted with mental illness, specifically porphyria, as early as 1765. Reign was given to his son George, the Prince Regent, in 1811. George III died blind, deaf and mad at Windsor Castle on January 29, 1820.

London• England under reign

of King George III.• At this time, London

was a dangerous place with a lot of crime, particularly robbery.

• Also, grave robbing was occurring at this time, which you’ll see in the novel.

Paris• Under reign of

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

• Engaged in the French Revolution

• Third estate citizens, or commoners, were very heavily taxed and starving.

The French Revolution• 1789-1799• Causes of the French Revolution• Storming of the Bastille• The Tennis Court Oath• Women’s Role in the Revolution• Accomplishments of the Revolution• The Guillotine• The songs of French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution

• The French Revolution was brought about by the suffering of France’s peasants, who were literally starving and the general social problems in France.

• However, rumor has it that Marie Antoinette’s Diamond Necklace Affair was a catalyst of the Revolution.

Storming of the Bastille• The Bastille, a French prison, was stormed by the mob, joined by

some of the King's soldiers on July 14, 1789. The commander of the prison, de Launay, attempted to surrender, but the mob denied his request. He, like all guards, was killed as they poured through the gates.

• Later in the day the prisoners were released. There were only seven: two were convicted forgers; one was an aristocrat put in prison by his own father. This event is still annually celebrated in France.

The Tennis Court Oath• Louis XVI wanted to

keep absolute power, however the Third Estate wanted to have more influence upon France’s affairs. The two sides set a meeting, which soon moved to a nearby tennis court. This was known as the Tennis Court Oath.

Women and the Revolution• Upon reading A

Tale of Two Cities, you will find that women have a significant role in the Revolution.

• Does Dickens portray this accurately? Find out the real details.

CLICK HERE

Accomplishments of the Rev.The French Revolution accomplished some of

what the intended goal was, but accomplishment did not seem to outweigh failure.

• Political• Economic• Social• Religious

POLITICAL Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHED NOT ACCOMPLISHED

Free land was a reality Actual constitution of 1799 was a farce

Declarations of Rights had been made three times

These Declarations were more form than substance. In 1799 they were omitted

Democracy Declared It was never really tried, the Dictatorship began in 1799

Liberties declared in writing Flagrantly violated in the Terror, equality and security were prefered to liberty (1799)

Right to Property declared Not for the clergy or emigres

ECONOMIC Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHED NOT ACCOMPLISHED

Free land was a reality

Only for those with money

Agricultural reforms

Were still in the future

Workers acquired rights

But not to organize or strike

Fiscal and Financial Security were established

Actually worse than what faced the old Third Estate

SOCIAL Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHED NOT ACCOMPLISHED

Bourgeoisie replaced clergy & nobles

Common man was left out

Class consciousness persisted, Privileges were still sought

Socialism was not yet thought of

Social reforms passed in Legislature

Not applied to "real" life

RELIGIOUS Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHED NOT ACCOMPLISHED

France was still Catholic

No religious freedom, strong anti-Protestant & anti-semitic feelings arose

Schism with Catholic Church

Healed by Napoleon (1801 Concordat)

The GuillotineGuillotine Facts

• Total weight of a guillotine is about 1278 lbs

• The guillotine metal blade weighs about 88.2 lbs

• The height of guillotine posts average about 14 feet

• The falling blade has a rate of speed of about 21 feet/second

• Just the actual beheading takes 2/100 of a second

• The time for the guillotine blade to fall down to where it stops takes 70th of a second

Guillotine HistoryIn 1789, The French Revolution beganafter the storming of the Bastille.

On July 14 of 1789, King LouisXVI of France was driven from Franceand exiled. The new civilian assemblyrewrote the penal code to say, "Everyperson condemned to the death penaltyshall have his head severed." All classesof people were now executed equally.

On April 25, 1792, the first guillotiningoccurred. Louis XVI was guillotined onJanuary 21, 1793 and Marie Antoinetteon October 16, 1793. The last publicExecution by guillotine took placeOn June 17, 1939.

Music• During the Revolution, music and singing

played a very essential role. Novices and professional composers alike produced thousands of songs and hymns for or against the French Revolution.

• The thousands of compositions are divided into two categories: hymns and songs.

• Hymns were more formal in both its composition and performance. Each hymn original music, and learned, memorized poetic lyrics.

• On the contrary, songs were informal compositions that consisted of new verses, which were poorly rhymed to a well-known tune. CLICK: LISTEN TO SONGS

Essay Contest• The University of California runs the

“Charles Dickens Project.” Each year they hold a conference and an essay contest, which provides a free opportunity to attend the conference.

• ENTER BELOW

The Dickens Project

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