Probably one of the best of Dicken’s literary works, "A Tale Of Two Cities" is set in the backdrop of French Revolution. "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" are the slogans that have filled the air and are ricocheting from the prison walls where peasants turned revolutionaries have guillotined their tormentors.
The story is based in tumultuous Paris which bore the brunt of the revolution and a peaceful city of London. It is not just the two cities that are in question here. This is a story of peasants who are living in hell and the aristocrats living in clover. This is a story of the oppressors and the oppressed. This is also a story of Charles Darnay and Syndey Carton, the two men we will talk about in a while.
On a street full of peasants a horse-driven carriage has crushed a boy to death. Immediately a coin is thrown out from the carriage onto the flotsam of onlookers. The driver is ordered to move on. On any other day peasants would not have dared to throw the coin back! But today they have. The vengeance is evident in their actions. It is written in their eyes. So beware! *
A cart carrying bottles of red wine has crashed on the road. The wine has flown on the streets. Very soon blood, and not wine will flow on the streets of France. People have gone berserk. They are licking the wine on the streets. Someone has used that to write "BLOOD" on the wall. The signs are clear and disturbing.
Charles Darnay belongs to one of the aristocratic families who are on the hit list of the revolutionaries. It does not matter to them that Charles has never been supportive of his ancestor’s oppressive lifestyle. To them he is one of them and he has to pay for their sins! In fact Charles is one person who wants to do things for peasant’s welfare. In the pandemonium that will ensue all cries of innocence, mercy and any ululation arising out of a loss of a near and a dear one will be lost. So beware!*
Sydney Carton is a lawyer and has drinking problems. He does not care for world and no one cares for him. Until he sees Lucie and falls in love with her. He wants to mend his ways now but it is too late as she is in love with Charles.
Lucie is a beautiful daughter of Dr. Manette. Charles and Lucie get married and have a daughter.
Doctor has a story which when made public will almost wipe out their entire family. Doctor had written his story when he was imprisoned by Charles’ aristocratic uncles for 18 years!
The doctor is highly respected by the revolutionaries for the sufferings he had to undergo at the hands of his captors. And for the same reason they hate Charles!
The revolution has spread to countryside as well. Revolutionaries have liberated all prisoners from the legendary prison of Bastille. Everyday families after family of oppressors are butchered or are guillotined. People have tasted blood and now they are baying for more. They are not even going to spare infants and kids. They want Charles’ blood. They are fighting amongst themselves to decide who will behead Charles. So, beware!*
The book gives amazing insight into the conditions prevalent during the time of revolution. It has a very gripping story. The style of writing is a hallmark Dicken’s style. Like in his other novels, in this one also he introduces a fact in very beginning which changes the course of the story at the end. All along the way, you will find tension gripping you. Truly this novel is a work of a genius! A must read.
Charles is captured and the judges have not even given him a patient hearing. He is to be beheaded. Doctor with all his influence can do nothing. Charles is spending his last night in the prison while his family will be leaving for London by morning. Who can save him?
We said that this is not just a story of two cities but also a story of two men. The other one being Sydney Carton. Yes the same loser who tried mending his ways to get Lucie! What can he do now? The time has actually run out. Or is it still not too late?
It is morning and crowd is on the street to see Charles being beheaded! The guillotine is mounted and is ready to strike. It needs blood to be appeased. It doesn’t matter whose blood.
The guillotine has struck. The crowd goes berserk. The head they were dying to see roll off, has fallen!
Love has changed Sydney Carton so much that he is now a caring person. He now believes - "It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."
"Long live Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!"
"Long live the revolution" are the only words you can hear amidst the tumultuous uproar caused by rolling of this one head!