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A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, deals with the major themes of duality, revolution, and resurrection. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times in London and Paris, as economic and political unrest lead to the American and French Revolutions. The main characters in Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities — Doctor Manette, Charles Darnay, and Sydney Carton — are all recalled to life, or resurrected, in different ways as turmoil erupts.

Book Summary

Charles Dickens Biography

Charles Dickens' Career Highlights

About A Tale of Two Cities

Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Chapter

Book the First: Chapter 1: The Period

Book the First: Chapter 2: The Mail

Book the First: Chapter 3: The Night Shadows

Book the First: Chapter 4: The Preparation

Book the First: Chapter 5: The Wine-shop

Book the First: Chapter 6: The Shoemaker

Book the Second: Chapter 1: Five Years Later

Book the Second: Chapter 2: A Sight

Book the Second: Chapter 3: A Disappointment

Book the Second: Chapter 4: Congratulatory

Book the Second: Chapter 5: The Jackal

Book the Second: Chapter 6: Hundreds of People

Book the Second: Chapter 7: Monseigneur in Town

Book the Second: Chapter 8: Monseigneur in the Country

Book the Second: Chapter 9: The Gorgon's Head

Book the Second: Chapter 10: Two Promises

Book the Second: Chapter 11: A Companion Picture

Book the Second: Chapter 12: The Fellow of Delicacy

Book the Second: Chapter 13: The Fellow of No Delicacy

Book the Second: Chapter 14: The Honest Tradesman

Book the Second: Chapter 15: Knitting

Book the Second: Chapter 16: Still Knitting

Book the Second: Chapter 17: One Night

Book the Second: Chapter 18: Nine Days

Book the Second: Chapter 19: An Opinion

Book the Second: Chapter 20: A Plea

Book the Second: Chapter 21: Echoing Footsteps

Book the Second: Chapter 22: The Sea Still Rises

Book the Second: Chapter 23: Fire Rises

Book the Second: Chapter 24: Drawn to the Loadstone Rock

Book the Third: Chapter 1: In Secret

Book the Third: Chapter 2: The Grindstone

Book the Third: Chapter 3: The Shadow

Book the Third: Chapter 4: Calm in Storm

Book the Third: Chapter 5: The Wood-Sawyer

Book the Third: Chapter 6: Triumph

Book the Third: Chapter 7: A Knock at the Door

Book the Third: Chapter 8: A Hand at Cards

Book the Third: Chapter 9: The Game Made

Book the Third: Chapter 10: The Substance of the Shadow

Book the Third: Chapter 11: Dusk

Book the Third: Chapter 12: Darkness

Book the Third: Chapter 13: Fifty-two

Book the Third: Chapter 14: The Knitting Done

Book the Third: Chapter 15: The Footsteps Die Out Forever

Character List

Character Map

Character Analysis

Doctor Alexandre Manette

Lucie Manette, later Darnay

Charles Darnay

Sydney Carton

Therese Defarge

Ernest Defarge

Jerry Cruncher

Critical Essays

Women in A Tale of Two Cities

The French Revolution and A Tale of Two Cities

Study and Homework Help

Famous Quotes from A Tale of Two Cities

Film Versions of A Tale of Two Cities

Full Glossary for A Tale of Two Cities

Quiz

Essay Questions

Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

Take the Quiz What two cities does the title refer to?
  1. London and Paris
  2. Paris and Nice
  3. Edinburgh and Paris
Quiz
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