Dear Deagles:
Although Carton plays the role of the hero at the end of the story, he is not the classic hero we often see in literature.
The classic hero usually has these attributes:
-He is the chosen one--designated from an early age, via tribal custom or religious beliefs, to be a leader/hero (think about Superman). In other words, he is considered special from an early age/maybe even birth (think Lion King).
-He may be strong or very smart.
-He is noble/brave
-He undergoes a journey that starts with him pursuing one thing.
-He fails in attaining that one thing.
-He realizes he needs to pursue something else more valuable/worthy.
-He overcomes many hardships while pursuing this secondary goal.
-He attains that secondary goal, or achieves some kind of understanding in the pursuit of that secondary goal.
Carton is certainly not considered special at the beginning of this story.
He comes closer to being an anti-hero. An anti-hero is someone who does not come across as the chosen one, who is not strong or exceptionally wise. He can be very common.
The anti-hero may even appear as bad to many people (think Batman: the Dark Knight).
Since Carton is lazy, drinks too much at beginning of story he could be close to an anti-hero. Still, he doesn't quite fit that bill. He really doesn't undergo a journey of any sort.
He is more of a Byronic romantic hero. He does things because of his love for Lucie, coming from his position as somewhat of an outsider, and because he wants redemption for his wasted life.
Go and look on the Internet for the concept of the Byronic hero, classic hero, and anti-hero to see if Carton fits the bill of either of these literary types.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tis a Far, Far Better Thing...
Dear Deagles:
In my opinion, the end of A Tale of Two Cities is one of the greatest endings, if not the best ending, of any book I've ever read. Sydney Carton's heroism is so noble, so selfless. It is really touching.
I really liked the way he comforted the innocent seamstress who was unjustly condemned to be executed just because she worked for an aristocrat. (To be truthful, I had seen this scene in the movie version of A Tale of Two Cities and I was really touched at that time as well) His act really embodies the redemption he was seeking. One can see this in biblical allusion terms--Carton acts nobly like Jesus who comforts the thieves who were also executed with him via Crucifixion.
Those last words.."Tis a far, far better thing I do"...is one of the greatest lines in the history of English literature.
They don't make heroes like that anymore!
I have put a YouTube link (right hand margin) to a 1930's version of the novel. Carton is played by the dashing Ronald Coleman, one of Hollywood's most famous leading men. Take a look. Its an interesting scene.
In my opinion, the end of A Tale of Two Cities is one of the greatest endings, if not the best ending, of any book I've ever read. Sydney Carton's heroism is so noble, so selfless. It is really touching.
I really liked the way he comforted the innocent seamstress who was unjustly condemned to be executed just because she worked for an aristocrat. (To be truthful, I had seen this scene in the movie version of A Tale of Two Cities and I was really touched at that time as well) His act really embodies the redemption he was seeking. One can see this in biblical allusion terms--Carton acts nobly like Jesus who comforts the thieves who were also executed with him via Crucifixion.
Those last words.."Tis a far, far better thing I do"...is one of the greatest lines in the history of English literature.
They don't make heroes like that anymore!
I have put a YouTube link (right hand margin) to a 1930's version of the novel. Carton is played by the dashing Ronald Coleman, one of Hollywood's most famous leading men. Take a look. Its an interesting scene.
Monday, July 13, 2009
essential questions part II
Dear Deagles (combination of the words Decathlete and Eagle):
Here is a list of essential questions you should be able to answer upon finishing the book:
1. Who kills Madame Defarge?
2. How many times in the book is Charles Darnay imprisoned in the book?
3. Why was Dr. Manette imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years?
4. What serves as evidence that Dr. Manette goes mad again at the end of the story?
5. Who does Carton blackmail to gain access to Charles Darnay?
6. How does Jerry Cruncher help Sydney Carton/Darnay near the end of the story?
Here is a list of essential questions you should be able to answer upon finishing the book:
1. Who kills Madame Defarge?
2. How many times in the book is Charles Darnay imprisoned in the book?
3. Why was Dr. Manette imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years?
4. What serves as evidence that Dr. Manette goes mad again at the end of the story?
5. Who does Carton blackmail to gain access to Charles Darnay?
6. How does Jerry Cruncher help Sydney Carton/Darnay near the end of the story?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Le Marsellaise; French National Anthem
Dear Decaths:
You can't talk about the French Revolution, or Bastille Day, without talking about Le Marsellaise--France's national anthem.
The song was written during the French Revolution.
It is quite the stirring song!
If you've seen the greatest movie of all time...Casablanca...then you probably remember that great scene where everyone (except the Germans) joins in a rousing version of Le Marseillaise.
Go to the right hand margin of this blog site, under interesting web sites, and see this film clip on YouTube. It is so moving you will probably want to run away from home and join the French Foreign Legion, or at least run to your local supermarket and buy some smelly French cheese and crackers.
You can't talk about the French Revolution, or Bastille Day, without talking about Le Marsellaise--France's national anthem.
The song was written during the French Revolution.
It is quite the stirring song!
If you've seen the greatest movie of all time...Casablanca...then you probably remember that great scene where everyone (except the Germans) joins in a rousing version of Le Marseillaise.
Go to the right hand margin of this blog site, under interesting web sites, and see this film clip on YouTube. It is so moving you will probably want to run away from home and join the French Foreign Legion, or at least run to your local supermarket and buy some smelly French cheese and crackers.
Worried
Okay Kiddos:
I am worried that no one has been making any entries on my blog. Here are the top reason why this might be occurring:
1. You are still mourning the death of Michael Jackson.
2. " " of Billy Mays.
3. You went on vacation to a place that has no Internet.
4. " " and your parents left you there.
5. Your family has an age-old grudge against Charles Dickens.
6. You actually liked the Reign of Terror and refuse to read A Tale of Two Cities because it gives mob violence a bad name.
7. You're trying to build dramatic suspense and will start making entries the night before school begins.
8. You thought Mr Boulton said "Procrasti-thon Team.
9. You misinterpreted the meaning of that T.V. commercial that says "What goes in A Tale of Two Cities" stays in A Tale of Two Cities."
10. Devore...Defarge...what the heck! You just don't like any French people!
I am worried that no one has been making any entries on my blog. Here are the top reason why this might be occurring:
1. You are still mourning the death of Michael Jackson.
2. " " of Billy Mays.
3. You went on vacation to a place that has no Internet.
4. " " and your parents left you there.
5. Your family has an age-old grudge against Charles Dickens.
6. You actually liked the Reign of Terror and refuse to read A Tale of Two Cities because it gives mob violence a bad name.
7. You're trying to build dramatic suspense and will start making entries the night before school begins.
8. You thought Mr Boulton said "Procrasti-thon Team.
9. You misinterpreted the meaning of that T.V. commercial that says "What goes in A Tale of Two Cities" stays in A Tale of Two Cities."
10. Devore...Defarge...what the heck! You just don't like any French people!
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