 |
Dualistic Principles Evident in A Tale of Two Cities detailed Critical Study |
Definition: According to the Oxford Dictionary, “An instance of
opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something is
called dualism” (https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/duality).
Duality implies the simultaneous existence of opposing forces. In A Tale of Two Cities, duality is highlighted through the juxtaposition of polar opposites. These
polar opposites are either two abstract values or ideals that oppose each other
or characters that symbolize two opposing traits. The dualistic forces evident in
A Tale of Two Cities areas
follows:
Compassion/Cruelty
The dualism
between compassion and cruelty is best expressed through the contrast between Dr.
Manette and the Evrémonde brothers. The
compassion extended by Dr. Manette toward the young peasant woman is evident from
the way he tries to calm her down and soothe her pain. Dr. Manette also treats
the young woman’s brother with sympathy and understanding. However, the
“piercing shrieks” (Dickens 332) of the young woman who is on the brink of
death, have no impact on the Evrémonde brothers who are devoid of “pity, sorrow, or kindred humanity” (Dickens
335).
Hate/Love
The coexistence of love and hate is an
essential aspect that has been highlighted throughout the novel. Madame Defarge
is the personification of hatred and vengeance. Her fierce hatred and rage are
revealed in the following lines: “There were many women
at that time, upon whom the time laid a dreadfully disfiguring hand; but, there
was not one among them more to be dreaded than this ruthless woman, now taking
her way along the streets … imbued from her childhood with a brooding sense of
wrong, and an inveterate hatred of a class, the opportunity had developed her into
a tigress. She was absolutely without pity” (Dickens 375). In addition to Madame
Defarge, the post-revolutionary French mob is also an apt representation of blind
hatred. The hatred expressed by these revolutionary fanatics, however, pales in
comparison to the love portrayed by Lucie, Dr. Manette, and Miss Pross. Above
all, Carton’s selfless affection for Lucie epitomizes the
abiding power of love that has a tendency to overshadow hatred.
Death/Resurrection
Death and the resurrection also form an important dualistic equation in the novel. At
countless moments in the novel, the finality and futility of death are
juxtaposed with the life-giving phenomenon of rebirth. For instance, Madame Defarge’s
violent death seems meaningless and has a tone of finality to it. Her death is
merely accompanied by an “awful stillness” (Dickens 383) and her lifeless body “on
the ground” (Dickens 383) seems destined for oblivion. In other words, Madame
Defarge’s death as portrayed in “The Knitting Done” leads to no productive
outcome. On the contrary, Carton’s execution in the following chapter “The
Footsteps Die Out Forever” is both meaningful and life-enhancing. Moreover, as
opposed to Madame Defarge, Carton’s memory transcends his mortal span and he
lives on in the heart of his beloved admirers – Lucy and her family.
Oppression/Empowerment
Oppression and
empowerment are significant dualistic forces that have been highlighted in the
novel. Both oppression and empowerment coexist simultaneously. For instance, the
oppression of the proletariat ensures the empowerment experienced by the
monarchy in prerevolutionary France. After the revolution, the situation
reverses and French citizens emerge as the empowered population while the
French monarchs become oppressed and persecuted. An important incident
that highlights oppression prior to the French revolution is the brutal killing
of Gaspard’s child by the Marquis St. Evrémonde. The
reversal of the oppression/empowerment equation after the revolution is portrayed
through the ruthless hanging of Foulon in the chapter “The Sea Still Rises”. It
needs to be stressed that Foulon’s hanging grants an immense degree of
empowerment to the revolutionary mob. Just as the Marquis feels invincible
after killing Gaspard’s child, the French proletariat feels indestructible after
making a public spectacle of Foulon’s hanging.
Conclusion:
Through the portrayal of dualistic principles in A Tale of
Two Cities, Dickens is trying to highlight that the entire
universal order is based on the presence of opposing forces. Without its
contrasting element, one part of the dualistic equation would have no
significance or meaning. It is this duality that enables a person to realize
the importance of an opposing viewpoint within a dualistic framework. For instance, one can only realize the redeeming value of love because of the
presence of hatred. Moreover, the significance of compassion shown by Dr.
Manette (toward the peasant girl and her brother) can be truly understood when
placed in direct contrast to the atrocities of the Evrémonde brothers and Carton’s act of immense sacrifice appears magnanimous and
life-giving when viewed in opposition to the instinct for self-serving vengeance
epitomized by Madame Defarge.
Credit goes to Ma'am Saima Najib
.
Comments
Post a Comment