Dear Decathletes:
We have previously discussed how Dickens always comes up with original names for his characters--like Jerry Cruncher.
Sometimes he uses a name to tell the reader something about the significance of the character's role in the novel. Accordingly, has anybody given any thought to the meaning of Lucie Manette's name? (I am specifically referring to her first name).
Use your linguistic skills and see if you can identify and significance.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Vengeance
Dear Decathletes:
Let's talk about a minor character of A Tale of Two Cities. That character is The Vengeance.
Whenever I think of the French Revolution I always think about the above famous painting. It's called Liberty Leading the People.
When I think of our own American Revolution I always think about the participation of males, and how they led the revolution and the fighting. But when it comes to the French Revolution I always think of women participating; maybe that's because of this famous painting. But after reading A Tale of Two Cities I will think even more so about the participation of women, primarily because of the characters of Madame Defarge, and The Vengeance. Defarge is a cold, calculating woman, but in my opinion, The Vengeance represents the out of control passion of the mobs. These two characters work together in a couple of scenes in the book.
The Vengeance shows up in another scene with another strange character--the Wood-sawyer. Let me draw your attention to the Wood-sawyer beginning on page 281. In this section of the book, Lucie attempts to see her imprisoned husband from the street; she hopes to see him when he is next to the prison window. As she waits on the street, she eventually talks with the Wood-sawyer, who explains to her that his saw is named "My Little Guillotine," and that he pretends that when he saws the wood the logs fall like heads chopped off by a real guillotine. "And off her head goes" We later find out he has also named his saw "Little Sainte Guillotine."
He certainly is a creepy character!! (I guess another reason I think of women and the French Revolution is because the Guillotine is always referred to as a female. They addres it as a "her, or as 'the great sharp female.'" Did anyone notice that?)
The Wood-sawyer appears even creepier when Lucie sees him dancing with the Vengeance and many other peasants, as they dance the Carmagnole. See this web site to find out more info on this dance. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmagnole. That whole Carmagnole is equally creepy. It's like a scene where the crazies have taken over the world. What do you think? Am I wrong?
You can also go to this web site to see a YouTube video called The Carmagnole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UexdWkqkrp0
Any thoughts on the purpose of the Wood-sawyer character, or the scene with peasants dancing the Carmagnole?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Essential Questions
Dear Decathletes:
Hope you are keeping up on your reading.
Here are some essential questions from Book the Second that you need to review to make sure you understand what is going on.
1. There is somewhat of a love triangle going on in this novel. Who is involved in this triangle?
2. Why does Mr. Lorry have to go back to Paris?
3. Why does Charles Darnay have to go back to Paris?
4. What does Charles Darnay choose to renounce when he talks with his uncle the Marquis Evremonde?
5. What does Jerry Cruncher do for a living at night, besides working as a jack-of all trades for Mr Lorry?
6. Dr Manette still spends time making shoes at night, just like he did when he was imprisoned. What does this action represent?
7. What happens to Charles Darnay's uncle?
8. What is the significance of Mr. Stryver's name?
Hope you are keeping up on your reading.
Here are some essential questions from Book the Second that you need to review to make sure you understand what is going on.
1. There is somewhat of a love triangle going on in this novel. Who is involved in this triangle?
2. Why does Mr. Lorry have to go back to Paris?
3. Why does Charles Darnay have to go back to Paris?
4. What does Charles Darnay choose to renounce when he talks with his uncle the Marquis Evremonde?
5. What does Jerry Cruncher do for a living at night, besides working as a jack-of all trades for Mr Lorry?
6. Dr Manette still spends time making shoes at night, just like he did when he was imprisoned. What does this action represent?
7. What happens to Charles Darnay's uncle?
8. What is the significance of Mr. Stryver's name?
Red Caps
The red cap, or Liberty Cap, used by the French Revolutionaries is referred to in A Tale of Two Cities. It was also called the Phrygian Cap. When the revolutionaries broke into the King's palace they made the King wear the cap.
Synecdoche, Waves, and wine/blood
Dear Decathletes:
Here is an important literary term that I want you to be aware of...the literary term is called "Synecdoche." This word is pronounced "si-neck-duh-kee."
The definition for Synecdoche" is... "a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special."
We see Dickens' use of Synecdoche on page 216 where he writes..."a tremendous roar arose from the throat of Saint Antoine, and a forest of naked arms struggled in the air...all the fingers clutched convulsively..."
As you can from that passage, different parts of the human body are used to represent the entire mob that is taking action to prepare for the storming of the Bastille.
Regarding the description of the mob, Dickens uses "the sea" as a metaphor. He writes of how the "living sea rose, wave after wave, depth upon depth, and overflowed the city to that point."
He uses this metaphor again on page 222, when he writes "The sea of black and threatening waters, and of destructive upheaving of wave upon wave..."
Finally, on page 223, Dickens refers back to an earlier scene from the book, the one where the wine had spilled on the street and the people had scampered to drink the wine from the street--the first reference to a mob in this book. On page 223, Dickens writes of the mob's behavior storming the Bastille, "For, they are headlong, mad, and dangerous, and in the years so long after the breaking of the cask at Defarge's wine-shop door, they are not easily purified when once stained red." As you can see he uses that wine-blood symbol again. This symbol can be understood as a religious one--the blood-wine relationship refers to the Catholic Church's belief that wine in the sacrament of communion represents the blood of Jesus, which ultimately represents the resurrection of Jesus.
Here is an important literary term that I want you to be aware of...the literary term is called "Synecdoche." This word is pronounced "si-neck-duh-kee."
The definition for Synecdoche" is... "a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special."
We see Dickens' use of Synecdoche on page 216 where he writes..."a tremendous roar arose from the throat of Saint Antoine, and a forest of naked arms struggled in the air...all the fingers clutched convulsively..."
As you can from that passage, different parts of the human body are used to represent the entire mob that is taking action to prepare for the storming of the Bastille.
Regarding the description of the mob, Dickens uses "the sea" as a metaphor. He writes of how the "living sea rose, wave after wave, depth upon depth, and overflowed the city to that point."
He uses this metaphor again on page 222, when he writes "The sea of black and threatening waters, and of destructive upheaving of wave upon wave..."
Finally, on page 223, Dickens refers back to an earlier scene from the book, the one where the wine had spilled on the street and the people had scampered to drink the wine from the street--the first reference to a mob in this book. On page 223, Dickens writes of the mob's behavior storming the Bastille, "For, they are headlong, mad, and dangerous, and in the years so long after the breaking of the cask at Defarge's wine-shop door, they are not easily purified when once stained red." As you can see he uses that wine-blood symbol again. This symbol can be understood as a religious one--the blood-wine relationship refers to the Catholic Church's belief that wine in the sacrament of communion represents the blood of Jesus, which ultimately represents the resurrection of Jesus.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Madame Lefarge
Decathletes:
The character of Madame Lefarge is one of the great female villains of all time. Have you noticed her constant knitting? She is knitting the names of those people who she plans to have executed when the Revolution comes!
You don't often see female villains in literature, though in AP English Literature we read about Lady MacBeth in Shakespeare's Macbeth. She is probably the most well-known female villain.
Here is my personal list of great female villains (from different genres) of which Madame Lefarge certainly belongs to. Does anybody have any other suggestions to add to this list?
1. Lady Macbeth
2. The Wicked Witch of the West (from the Wizard of Oz)
3. Cruella de Vil (From 101 Dalmations)
4. Cat Woman
5. Britney Spears
6. Cinderella’s step mother
7. Miranda Priestly (from The Devil Wears Prada)
8. Paul McCartney’s former wife
9. Rosie O’Donnell
10. The Queen from Snow White
2. The Wicked Witch of the West (from the Wizard of Oz)
3. Cruella de Vil (From 101 Dalmations)
4. Cat Woman
5. Britney Spears
6. Cinderella’s step mother
7. Miranda Priestly (from The Devil Wears Prada)
8. Paul McCartney’s former wife
9. Rosie O’Donnell
10. The Queen from Snow White
11. Madame Lefarge
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Key Passage for Analysis
On page 188 is a key passage. It reads...
"Darkness closed around, and then came the ringing of church bells and the distant beating of the military drums of the Royal Guard, as the women sat knitting, knitting. Darkness encompassed them. Another darkness was closing in as surely, when the church bells, then ringing pleasantly in many an airy steeple over France, should be melted into thundering cannon; when the military drums should be beating to drown a wretched voice, that night all potent as the voice of Power and Plenty, Freedom and Life. So much was closing in about the women who sat knitting, knitting, that they their very selves, were closing in around a structure yet unbuilt, where they were to sit knitting, knitting, counting dropping heads."
What is significant in this passage? How is it significant to the meaning of the entire story? What is foreshadowed?
"Darkness closed around, and then came the ringing of church bells and the distant beating of the military drums of the Royal Guard, as the women sat knitting, knitting. Darkness encompassed them. Another darkness was closing in as surely, when the church bells, then ringing pleasantly in many an airy steeple over France, should be melted into thundering cannon; when the military drums should be beating to drown a wretched voice, that night all potent as the voice of Power and Plenty, Freedom and Life. So much was closing in about the women who sat knitting, knitting, that they their very selves, were closing in around a structure yet unbuilt, where they were to sit knitting, knitting, counting dropping heads."
What is significant in this passage? How is it significant to the meaning of the entire story? What is foreshadowed?
Redemption
Decathletes:
As you may have figured out by now, Sydney Carton is the character who will seek Redemption in this novel.
We see some more foreshadowing of his quest for redemption in Chapter 13.
In this Chapter (page 151), Miss Manette and Carton have a conversation in which he says to her..."the life I lead, Miss Manette, is not conducive to health. What is to be expected of such profligates?"
She says..."Why not change it?"
And he responds..."It is too late for that. I shall never be better than I am. I shall sink lower, and be worse."
What the author is doing in the above passage is setting the reader up to expect Carton to try to do something that will allow him to become a better person.
Dickens never says what has caused Carton to become this way. But we the readers just go along with this conflicted character, waiting to see how he will redeem himself.
At the bottom of page 151 Lucie Manette tries to comfort him by saying "I am sure that the best part of it (his life) might still be; I am sure that you will be much, much worthier of yourself."
On page 209 Carton talks with Charles Darnay (the person he physically resembles) in another conversation that helps to illuminate his upcoming quest for redemption.
In this conversation, Carton tells Darnay that "...I am incapable of all the higher and better flights of men," and later adds...At any rate, you know me as a dissolute dog who has never done any good, and never will."
Darnay politely offers, "I don't knows that you 'never will' ."
Stay tuned to see how he redeems himself.
As you may have figured out by now, Sydney Carton is the character who will seek Redemption in this novel.
We see some more foreshadowing of his quest for redemption in Chapter 13.
In this Chapter (page 151), Miss Manette and Carton have a conversation in which he says to her..."the life I lead, Miss Manette, is not conducive to health. What is to be expected of such profligates?"
She says..."Why not change it?"
And he responds..."It is too late for that. I shall never be better than I am. I shall sink lower, and be worse."
What the author is doing in the above passage is setting the reader up to expect Carton to try to do something that will allow him to become a better person.
Dickens never says what has caused Carton to become this way. But we the readers just go along with this conflicted character, waiting to see how he will redeem himself.
At the bottom of page 151 Lucie Manette tries to comfort him by saying "I am sure that the best part of it (his life) might still be; I am sure that you will be much, much worthier of yourself."
On page 209 Carton talks with Charles Darnay (the person he physically resembles) in another conversation that helps to illuminate his upcoming quest for redemption.
In this conversation, Carton tells Darnay that "...I am incapable of all the higher and better flights of men," and later adds...At any rate, you know me as a dissolute dog who has never done any good, and never will."
Darnay politely offers, "I don't knows that you 'never will' ."
Stay tuned to see how he redeems himself.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Foils
Okay Kids:
Repeat after me...A "Foil" is a character that highlights a main character by contrast. Say it five times out loud.
Foils appear in many novels. Foils are cool because they help a reader to better understand a main character by possessing those character traits that are the opposite of the main character.
For example, if a main character is a brainy nerd, not very physically strong, an dpehaps indecisive, the foil will probably be not so smart but very strong--somebody who gets things done through brute force.
In A Tale of Two Cities there are a couple foils. Has anybody spotted these foils yet? There is more than one foil because there are so many characters in this novel.
Remember that literary term...Foil.
I will award the honorary title of "literary superstar" to the first student who identifies a Foil in this novel.
Repeat after me...A "Foil" is a character that highlights a main character by contrast. Say it five times out loud.
Foils appear in many novels. Foils are cool because they help a reader to better understand a main character by possessing those character traits that are the opposite of the main character.
For example, if a main character is a brainy nerd, not very physically strong, an dpehaps indecisive, the foil will probably be not so smart but very strong--somebody who gets things done through brute force.
In A Tale of Two Cities there are a couple foils. Has anybody spotted these foils yet? There is more than one foil because there are so many characters in this novel.
Remember that literary term...Foil.
I will award the honorary title of "literary superstar" to the first student who identifies a Foil in this novel.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Aristocracy as Villains
Dear Decathletes:
Dickens uses two different villains in this book--the mobs and the aristocracy. They are opposing sides of the French Revolution. One group causes the conditions that lead to the revolution, while the other side leads the revolution but gets carried away with uncontrolled violence.
In Chapter 7 Dickens introduces an aristocratic villain--the Monsieur de Marquis. This guy is a really bad dude in true Dickens literary fashion (sort of like Scrooge). He also reminds me of Mr. Burns from The Simpsons; the kind of guy who doesn't care anything about the common folk. He represents the insensitivity of the French aristocrats of that time--they were very out of touch with the needs of the poor.
Can anyone point out some of the things Dickens has this guy say/do (directly/indirectly) in Chapter 7 that make him a symbol of the insensitive aristocracy?
Mobs Part II
Dear Decathletes:
Take a close look at Chapter 6 (Hundreds of People) starting on page 92.
There are more indirect references to mobs. In this chapter, the characters look out a window at the London crowds moving on the street.
While they are watching the crowd there is also thunder and lightning.
By juxtaposing thunder/lightning and crowds, Dickens is once again trying to foreshadow the power of unruly mobs. He is trying to foreshadow how mobs will act unruly in the French Revolution.
Stay tuned for more references to mobs.
Take a close look at Chapter 6 (Hundreds of People) starting on page 92.
There are more indirect references to mobs. In this chapter, the characters look out a window at the London crowds moving on the street.
While they are watching the crowd there is also thunder and lightning.
By juxtaposing thunder/lightning and crowds, Dickens is once again trying to foreshadow the power of unruly mobs. He is trying to foreshadow how mobs will act unruly in the French Revolution.
Stay tuned for more references to mobs.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Light and Dark Motif
Dear Decathletes:
I want you to be alert and focus on the motif of Darkness and Light. This motif shows up constantly.
Shadow and night, and light and daylight help establish the mood in certain scenes. We already discussed how the opening part of the book had a Gothic mood.
Darkness and light usually symbolize evil and goodness, but in A Tale of Two Cities the two concepts might also refer to ignorance and enlightenment. In this case, ignorance can refer to the ignorance of the aristocracy and later that of the revolutionary mobs. Enlightenment can refer to the revolutionary ideals of liberty, fraternity, and equality.
Can anyone point out some passages/sentences (and page number) in the first 150 pages of the book where Dickens refers to darkness and light? And can anyone provide a brief analysis of how Dickens uses the two symbols in a particular passage/sentence?
I want you to be alert and focus on the motif of Darkness and Light. This motif shows up constantly.
Shadow and night, and light and daylight help establish the mood in certain scenes. We already discussed how the opening part of the book had a Gothic mood.
Darkness and light usually symbolize evil and goodness, but in A Tale of Two Cities the two concepts might also refer to ignorance and enlightenment. In this case, ignorance can refer to the ignorance of the aristocracy and later that of the revolutionary mobs. Enlightenment can refer to the revolutionary ideals of liberty, fraternity, and equality.
Can anyone point out some passages/sentences (and page number) in the first 150 pages of the book where Dickens refers to darkness and light? And can anyone provide a brief analysis of how Dickens uses the two symbols in a particular passage/sentence?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sydney Carton
Dear students:
I hope everyone is reading.
Today let's talk about lawyers. Especially one in particular--that being Sydney Carton.
He is helping to defend Charles Darnay, who has been accused of treason.
Carton will play an important role in this novel. He is the character who will at some point seek redemption.
But before seeking redemption, he is portrayed in not very good terms. He seems to be a neer'do well, or what we might call today "a slacker."
Regarding this characterization, what words does Dickens use to let the reader know about Carton? Students....here is your chance to make some input. Share your knowledge. Be bold. Make an entry.
I hope everyone is reading.
Today let's talk about lawyers. Especially one in particular--that being Sydney Carton.
He is helping to defend Charles Darnay, who has been accused of treason.
Carton will play an important role in this novel. He is the character who will at some point seek redemption.
But before seeking redemption, he is portrayed in not very good terms. He seems to be a neer'do well, or what we might call today "a slacker."
Regarding this characterization, what words does Dickens use to let the reader know about Carton? Students....here is your chance to make some input. Share your knowledge. Be bold. Make an entry.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Mystery
Students:
So why was Monsiuer Manette inprisoned for 18 years? Does anyone have any theories?
I have my top ten possible reasons:
10. He committed a murder.
9. He took steroids and then tried to play professional baseball for the Paris Cubs.
8. He stole something from the King of France.
7. He said something bad about Governor Palin's daughter.
6. He stole something from the King of England.
5. He drove a mule while under the influence of red wine.
4. He operated a gulloitine while texting on the phone.
3. He didn't do his required reading over the summer months.
2. He climbed the Eiffel Tower Spiderman-style without an official permit.
1. He stole Maria Antoinette's cake, and ate it too.
How about you students? Any theories?
So why was Monsiuer Manette inprisoned for 18 years? Does anyone have any theories?
I have my top ten possible reasons:
10. He committed a murder.
9. He took steroids and then tried to play professional baseball for the Paris Cubs.
8. He stole something from the King of France.
7. He said something bad about Governor Palin's daughter.
6. He stole something from the King of England.
5. He drove a mule while under the influence of red wine.
4. He operated a gulloitine while texting on the phone.
3. He didn't do his required reading over the summer months.
2. He climbed the Eiffel Tower Spiderman-style without an official permit.
1. He stole Maria Antoinette's cake, and ate it too.
How about you students? Any theories?
Mob Behavior
Decathletes:
I need you to go to page 28 of A Tale of Two Cities. This part of the book is very important because Dickens uses a scene to foreshadow a very important aspect of the French Revolution. He foreshadows the powerful, violent actions of mob behavior.
A mob is defined in several ways...as a large group of people....or ....a group of people who act in an unruly manner.
Mobs are synonmous with the French Revolution.
On page 28 Dickens has his readers witness a bunch of peasants act like a mob when a cask of wine spills open on the street. They all forgot what they were doing and started to dive for the wine, hoping to drink as much as possible. Dickens uses words like "jostle" and "darted" to hint at how mobs usually act violently--but this mob doesn't really act violently. Dickens is careful to say that they that "there was little roughness in the sport, and much playfulness." He even mentions that some men helped women get to the wine.
But keep in mind, he is trying to get us ready for later parts of the novel--when mobs take over France and act violently--very violently, as they get totally out of control.
You know how people get when they are part of a mob. They start to act differently. They do things they normally wouldn't do as individuals. Individuals think they can get away with stuff and take advantage of the anonymity that mobs afford. Mob behavior usually means violent behavior. Think of how L.A. Lakers fans up in L.A. act each time the Lakers win the championship. They start lighting fires and trashing cars all in the name of celebration. How crazy!!! But that's what mobs do! (San Diego doesn't have to worry about mobs because our sports teams never win championships).
Go to page 29 in the book and notice the color of the wine...red. Dickens says on page 29 that the red "stained the streets." And he has that great line where he describes those peasants who had acquired a "tigerish smear on their mouths." Sounds ominous, doesn't it? Of course, you know the color red is meant to foreshadow the color of blood.
There have been many revolutions since the French Revolution where the streets were stained red from the blood spilled by both sides fighting in a revolution. Very rarely does a revolution occur without the spillage of blood on the streets. The revolution that occured in the former country of Czechslovakia in 1989--where they got rid of the Communists rulers-was memorable for being peaceful, and was thus labeled the "Velvet Revolution."
Take a look at the protests going on in Iran. The violence has been limited so far, but blood has been shed. It could be the start of another revolution! Stay tuned. People my age have already seen one revolution occur in Iran, and that one was indeed violent.
I hope everyone is reading!
I need you to go to page 28 of A Tale of Two Cities. This part of the book is very important because Dickens uses a scene to foreshadow a very important aspect of the French Revolution. He foreshadows the powerful, violent actions of mob behavior.
A mob is defined in several ways...as a large group of people....or ....a group of people who act in an unruly manner.
Mobs are synonmous with the French Revolution.
On page 28 Dickens has his readers witness a bunch of peasants act like a mob when a cask of wine spills open on the street. They all forgot what they were doing and started to dive for the wine, hoping to drink as much as possible. Dickens uses words like "jostle" and "darted" to hint at how mobs usually act violently--but this mob doesn't really act violently. Dickens is careful to say that they that "there was little roughness in the sport, and much playfulness." He even mentions that some men helped women get to the wine.
But keep in mind, he is trying to get us ready for later parts of the novel--when mobs take over France and act violently--very violently, as they get totally out of control.
You know how people get when they are part of a mob. They start to act differently. They do things they normally wouldn't do as individuals. Individuals think they can get away with stuff and take advantage of the anonymity that mobs afford. Mob behavior usually means violent behavior. Think of how L.A. Lakers fans up in L.A. act each time the Lakers win the championship. They start lighting fires and trashing cars all in the name of celebration. How crazy!!! But that's what mobs do! (San Diego doesn't have to worry about mobs because our sports teams never win championships).
Go to page 29 in the book and notice the color of the wine...red. Dickens says on page 29 that the red "stained the streets." And he has that great line where he describes those peasants who had acquired a "tigerish smear on their mouths." Sounds ominous, doesn't it? Of course, you know the color red is meant to foreshadow the color of blood.
There have been many revolutions since the French Revolution where the streets were stained red from the blood spilled by both sides fighting in a revolution. Very rarely does a revolution occur without the spillage of blood on the streets. The revolution that occured in the former country of Czechslovakia in 1989--where they got rid of the Communists rulers-was memorable for being peaceful, and was thus labeled the "Velvet Revolution."
Take a look at the protests going on in Iran. The violence has been limited so far, but blood has been shed. It could be the start of another revolution! Stay tuned. People my age have already seen one revolution occur in Iran, and that one was indeed violent.
I hope everyone is reading!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
OHS Lads and Lasses:
Tis a fine Irish day, and I just want to take a break from talking about Dickens and A Tale of Two Cities to talk about another writer you may have heard of...that writer is James Joyce. Those of you in Ms Danielson's AP class may know about him because he used his trademark "Stream of Consciousness" style of writing in his novels. I believe Ms Danielson had her students try to write in "stream of conscious" style in one activity.
Joyce, an Irishman from Dublin, used this style in the famous novel Ulyssess.
Today, June 16, writing fans all over the world are celebrating "Bloomsday", a day that commemorates the day Leopold Bloom, the main character in Ulyssess, walked around Dublin making his observations. The book is very long, tough read. I've only known one person who's actually read the entire book!
If you want to read more about Bloomsday go to http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bloomsday.html
Happy Bloomsday!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Redemption and Resurrection
Fantastic students of Olympian HS:
Did you catch the mysterious message in the first part of A Tale of Two Cities? The message that was given to Mr Lorry? The message was "Recalled to Life." Of course, the message was a reference to Monsieur Manette being found after being imprisoned for eighteen years.
"Recalled to life" is also a reference to one of the themes of the book--that being Resurrection. Manette was all but dead before being found alive after all those years. He was practically brought back to life-- or at least back into the civilized world. We will see other references to this theme later in the book. Resurrection is a common theme...a biblical allusion of sorts. In this book, if one is thinking in terms of biblical allusion, one must think not of "crucifixion" but of "the guillotine." Keep that in the backs of your minds.
The other theme I want you to think about is Redemption. At least one major character will attempt to redeem himself for the life he has lived.
How about the name of that character...Jerry Cruncher?!! Did anyboyd think that name unusual? Dickens always had fun coming up with unusual names for the characters in his stories. Names such as Scrooge, Sweedlepipe, Cherry Pecksniff, and Wilkens Macawber show up in some of his novels. The names usually have some significance--some double meanings. In my opinion, J.K. Rowlings follows that tradition with some of her characters' names. What is the significance, if any, of Cruncher's name?
Did you catch the mysterious message in the first part of A Tale of Two Cities? The message that was given to Mr Lorry? The message was "Recalled to Life." Of course, the message was a reference to Monsieur Manette being found after being imprisoned for eighteen years.
"Recalled to life" is also a reference to one of the themes of the book--that being Resurrection. Manette was all but dead before being found alive after all those years. He was practically brought back to life-- or at least back into the civilized world. We will see other references to this theme later in the book. Resurrection is a common theme...a biblical allusion of sorts. In this book, if one is thinking in terms of biblical allusion, one must think not of "crucifixion" but of "the guillotine." Keep that in the backs of your minds.
The other theme I want you to think about is Redemption. At least one major character will attempt to redeem himself for the life he has lived.
How about the name of that character...Jerry Cruncher?!! Did anyboyd think that name unusual? Dickens always had fun coming up with unusual names for the characters in his stories. Names such as Scrooge, Sweedlepipe, Cherry Pecksniff, and Wilkens Macawber show up in some of his novels. The names usually have some significance--some double meanings. In my opinion, J.K. Rowlings follows that tradition with some of her characters' names. What is the significance, if any, of Cruncher's name?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Gothic
Decathletes:
The start of A Tale of Two Cities has a definite gothic tone. Let's get familiar with that term-Gothic. The term gothic refers to a genre of fiction. The first gothic novel was published around 1800. The novel Frankenstein provided a later version of Gothic, while the novel Rebecca provides a 20th century version. Today we naturally think of Vampires when we hear the word Gothic literature. Anne Rice novels were certainly Gothic in nature. If you read the short story "A Rose for Miss Emily" this year in 11th grade English, then you have read a version of Southern Gothic. Gothic can be defined as a style of literature characterized by a gloomy setting, grotesque, mysterious or violent events, and an atmosphere of degeneration or decay. It sets the mood of a story. Many Gothic novels take place in castles, or if in the U.S in decaying Southern mansions. Gothic literature is closely related to Romanticism style.
It is believed Gothic literature was written as a response to the anxiety caused by changes to the social and political structures brought about by the French Revolution, as well as those changes brought about scientific and industrial developments (think Industrial Revolution). There was a desire to return to the supernatural beliefs of the Middle Ages, when life was simpler, and less dependent on machinery/industry.
Go back and review the first part of A Tale of Two Cities. There are references to "mist", "darkness", "darkly clustered houses", "funereal", and "grave". And then there is the matter of Monsieur Manette, who has been decaying while locked up for eighteen years in Paris and is now in a creepy room kept by that creepy Madame Defarge. Sounds pretty Gothic to me.
The painting associated with this entry is in the Gothic/Romantic style--titled Nightmare.
I think that based on the above definition we can probably think back on some novels we've read and see Gothic elements in them. Has anybody read any Gothic literature recently?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Opening Line
Dear Decathletes:
Okay, let's get it out of the way. There's no avoiding it! We have to address this! The opening line of A Tale of Two Cities is one of the most famous opening lines of any novel. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
It is so famous it has practically become a cliche. It rivals "Call Me Ismael" (Moby Dick) as the most famous opening line in literary history. But it does actually serve an important purpose for the story. This famous opening serves to establish the concept of "doubles" that Dickens uses throughout the story. The story takes places in two cities...Paris and London...there are two characters who resemble each other...Carton and Darnay...the French revolution brings freedom but also terror. Watch for this "doubles" Motif throughout the story.
By the way, let's all become aware of the literary term "Motif." A "Motif'" is a symbol, object, or theme that reoccurs throughout the story. There are a few other Motifs in this novel, but this is the first one we encounter. We have to know this literary term!!
The opening is so important that we might as well spell it out here so you can go ahead and memorize it (most people just know the first part)...
"It was best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going directly to heaven, we were all going directly the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
Decathletes...read those lines, know those lines, become those lines!!!
The first few pages of A Tale of Two Cities also establishes the time frame for the plot. Dickens wants the reader to understand that the story begins in 1775...a few years before the French Revolution. With the opening line, Dickens is letting the reader know that a very significant time in world history is about to occur. 1775 is also the time that the American Revolution is beginning. But it is definitely the French Revolution that Dickens is foreshadowing for the reader.
One more literary term you must know...Anaphora. That's a fancy word for the repetition of certain words at the beginning of a line or verse." By using words like "It was..." several times, Dickens employs the literary device of Anaphora. Okay, the question becomes for you decathletes....why would an author use Anaphora? Can anyone answer that?
Okay, let's get it out of the way. There's no avoiding it! We have to address this! The opening line of A Tale of Two Cities is one of the most famous opening lines of any novel. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
It is so famous it has practically become a cliche. It rivals "Call Me Ismael" (Moby Dick) as the most famous opening line in literary history. But it does actually serve an important purpose for the story. This famous opening serves to establish the concept of "doubles" that Dickens uses throughout the story. The story takes places in two cities...Paris and London...there are two characters who resemble each other...Carton and Darnay...the French revolution brings freedom but also terror. Watch for this "doubles" Motif throughout the story.
By the way, let's all become aware of the literary term "Motif." A "Motif'" is a symbol, object, or theme that reoccurs throughout the story. There are a few other Motifs in this novel, but this is the first one we encounter. We have to know this literary term!!
The opening is so important that we might as well spell it out here so you can go ahead and memorize it (most people just know the first part)...
"It was best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going directly to heaven, we were all going directly the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
Decathletes...read those lines, know those lines, become those lines!!!
The first few pages of A Tale of Two Cities also establishes the time frame for the plot. Dickens wants the reader to understand that the story begins in 1775...a few years before the French Revolution. With the opening line, Dickens is letting the reader know that a very significant time in world history is about to occur. 1775 is also the time that the American Revolution is beginning. But it is definitely the French Revolution that Dickens is foreshadowing for the reader.
One more literary term you must know...Anaphora. That's a fancy word for the repetition of certain words at the beginning of a line or verse." By using words like "It was..." several times, Dickens employs the literary device of Anaphora. Okay, the question becomes for you decathletes....why would an author use Anaphora? Can anyone answer that?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Annotation
Dear Students:
I want to stress to you the importance of ANNOTATION. I need for you to be marking up your books as you read. I want you to maintain a conversation with the book via notetaking...this note-taking might include highlighting, underlining, questioning/answering, statements, etc. Please look at the website on "annotation".
I want to stress to you the importance of ANNOTATION. I need for you to be marking up your books as you read. I want you to maintain a conversation with the book via notetaking...this note-taking might include highlighting, underlining, questioning/answering, statements, etc. Please look at the website on "annotation".
Reading Schedule (Tentative)
Dear Decathlon members:
Here is the recommended (and tentative) reading schedule for our initial reading of A Tale of Two Cities over the summer break. Feel free to read ahead--I know you are all great readers--however, I will discuss topics on this blog (and the plot line) based on this timetable.
June 13-June 23...pages 1-150
June 24-July 3...pages 151-298
July 4-July 14...pages 299-396 (note: July 14 is Bastille Day!!).
This is a tentative reading schedule. It is subject to change. I may slow it down depending on the circumstances. Again, if you are a fast reader, then plunge ahead, but be prepared to go back and discuss previously read chapters when I address them on this site.
By the way....the photo is that of Robespierre. If you don't know who he is, please look him up when you get a chance.
Welcome
Dear Academic Decathlon Members:
Welcome to my blog site. We will use this site to discuss the book A Tale of Two Cities during the summer break. I will use this site to help guide you through the reading, hoping to point out such literary features as themes, motif, etc. You can also use this site to ask me questions on anything regarding the book.
I will soon post a readings schedule for the book. My expectation is that we will read the book (for the first time) during the summer break. You will then be ready to study the book in depth when we return from summer break.
Plan on visiting this site on a regular basis. I am hoping you will read my entries, and post your entries in response to my comments, or the entries of your fellow students.
In the meantime, make this site a favorite on your computer.
Mr. Rodriguez
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