A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Charles Darnay analysis

Lauren West
Period 4
11/18/15

Charles Darnay analysis

Charles Darnay pictures with quotes of Selflessness, Passion, and Bravery. These qualities are also symbolized by money, a ring, and a sword.

        Charles Darnay has displayed traits of bravery, selflessness, and passion within book two of the classic story A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Darnay has proven to be a mysterious character, as we haven't learned too much about him so far, however Dickens has hinted that Darnay may become a crucial aspect of the story line. We first meet Darnay in a courtroom as he is on trial for treason. During this scene one of the first characteristics of Charles we come across is his sense of bravery as Dickens writes, "The accused, who was being mentally hanged, beheaded, and quartered, by everybody there, neither flinched from the situation, nor assumed any theatrical air in it" (Dickens 47 book 2). Previous to this quote Dickens explains how the courtroom is full of people hoping to witness the murder of a prisoner, as this was a common form of entertainment at the time. Although Darnay can sense the stares of everyone waiting for him to be pronounced guilty he remains calm and displays bravery as he sits through his trial. Later in the story, after Darnay is released, he continues to prove his bravery as he stands up to his uncle and tells him about his belief that his uncle and him haven't used their power for good. Darnay's  bravery is displayed as he stays quiet when most would scream and cry, and speaks up when most would keep quiet. As we learn more about Mr. Darnay he proves to be a very selfless person. This trait is displayed as Darnay says to his uncle, "I would abandon it, and live otherwise and elsewhere. It is little to relinquish...If it ever becomes mine, it shall be put into some hands better qualified to free it slowly from the weight that drags it down" (Dickens 47 book 2). Darnay is proving to be a character who plans to do good with his life. He realizes the way his uncle is using his power and money is bad and vows to never be a part of it. In this quote Darnay explains how he doesn't believe he is qualified or worthy to take over his uncles power and money, therefore he plans to give it all up to a poorer more experienced person. Darnay is willing to give up his fortune and power for a greater cause. Lastly, Charles Darnay displays his passionate side as he professes his love for Lucie Manette. Lucie is a very popular woman among many men including Mr. Darnay. When Charles meets with Mr. Manette he reveals his passionate side as he says, "Dear doctor Manette, I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disinterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world I love her" (Dickens 101 book 2). Mr. Darnay is very open with Mr. Manette as he wishes to be completely honest about his feeling for his daughter. Throughout the chapters surrounding Charles Darnay we learn about his characteristics of bravery, selflessness, and passion.

A Tale of Two Cities light vs. dark analysis

Lauren West
11/9/15
Period 4

A Tale of Two Cities light vs. dark

                  Charles Dickens applies light and darkness to set the tone of optimism present in Lucie and Dr. Manette's  relationship in the classic story A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens expresses this sense of hopefulness as he writes, "...a little more light here. You can bear a little more'?...'I must bear it, if you let it in" (Dickens 30). In this quote Dr. Manette is being asked if he would mind a little light in the room. Previous to this question Dr. Manette had been sitting in the darkness of his room which symbolizes his time spent in a state of depression while he was imprisoned. When the questioner Defarge asks to open the door further and let in more light, in actuality he is letting in Dr. Manette's daughter Lucie whom is trying to free him from his depression. Lucie is an emblem for the change Dr. Manette needs in his life ,and is represented as the light to end his state of darkness. This demonstrates an optimistic tone when it says, "I must bear it if you let it in". When he says this, Lucie's father is symbolizing how he has to be strong through his recovery if his daughter is willing to help him through it. Dickens also adds to the optimistic tone when he writes, "...it had passed like a moving light, from him to her. Darkness had fallen on him in its place" (Dickens 32). This excerpt follows the light as it moves from Dr. Manette and falls upon his daughter Lucie. This movement symbolizes the change of mood between the two family members. It shows how the light shines over Lucie, as she is seen as the light and happy one sent to do good, and leaves her damaged father to sit in the darkness he has become comfortable with. It also represents Lucie's power to heal her dad as she is seen in the light. Lucie is an emblem of light and all things good whereas the darkness settled upon her father is whats holding their family apart. As Dr. Manette begins to recognize his daughter Dickens writes, "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 34). Within this quote the use of the word 'light' is repeated and it becomes obvious that it is more commonly used than dark. This scene portrays Manette's daughter as his savior once again, however in this case a direct sense of healing is shown. Lucie's affect on her father is simply described as, "the light of freedom shining on him", as she warms her fathers cold head. It is as if her hair is so radiant and beautiful that it has the power of showing she came from this man and he can make his way back to who he was before he was locked away. Throughout these scenes of A Tale of Two Cities the use of light contributes to the tone of hope and optimism as it overcomes the darkness looming over Dr. Manette's life.

A Tale of Two cities "Wine scene" foreshadowing

Lauren West

Period 4
11/5/15

A Tale of Two cities wine scene illustration

 

 

              Within the wine spilling scene of the classic story A Tale of Two Cities, there is an underlying sense of foreshadowing. The seemingly pointless scene, when given more thought, turns out to be a crucial part of the book as it foreshadows events surrounding the French Revolution. The most obvious situation in which this is displayed occurs on page 22 when Dickens writes, "The time was to come, when that wine too would be spilled on the street-stones, and when the stain of it would be red upon many there"(Dickens 22). This quote begins to explain how the red wine spilt upon the streets staining citizens hands symbolizes blood. This scene is in fact not about red wine, but actually the blood that will occur in the future as citizens and peasants are forced to kill for their rights. This idea is also previously mentioned on page 21 when the author writes, "it had stained many hands, too, and many faces, and many naked feet, and many wooden shoes. The hands of the man who sawed the wood, left red marks on the billets; and the forehead of the woman who nursed her baby, was stained with the stain of the old rag she wound about her head again" (Dickens 21). This quote furthers the theory that a battle will occur leaving these innocent people's hands dirty with the blood of their victims. Considering the location and time period the battle may have to do with a riot or fight leading up to the French Revolution. The red wine in this scene by Charles Dickens symbolizes the fighting that peasants of France will later undergo as the French Revolution begins.

             In addition, Charles Dickens elaborates on the semblance of hunger throughout the wine scene. The scene in this chapter surrounds peasants and paupers fighting for a drink of wine on the street. Although there is some playfulness to the situation, Charles stresses the dire situation of the peasants as he writes, "Hunger. It was prevalent everywhere. Hunger was pushed out of the tall houses, in wretched clothing that hung upon poles and lines" (Dickens 22). This quote may foreshadow the possibility of how the poor may take part in an uprising due to their hunger for life. During this scene we also see situations of people so desperate for nourishment they are chewing on wine soaked wood and drinking of muddy wine puddles. The scene is disturbing as it shows the extreme situations peasants of France face, and just how desperate they are for reprieve of their poor lives.