SAT阅读素材:双城记分析A Tale of Two Cities Theme Analysis
The novels opening statement It was the best of times, it was the worst of times sets the tone for a story in which a given curcumstance is perceived as good or bad depending upon the point of view. Jerry Cruncher, for instance, considers his nocturnal occupation a viable source of income to provide for his hungry family but Mr. Lorry views it as an abhorrent practice worthy of censure. Under scrutiny Cruncher admits that the sights of the bloody revolution in Paris have convinced him that such an occupation is immoral and he resolves to give up the practice. The revolution itself is believed to be an abomination by the exiled aristocrats that meet at Tellsons whereas the peasantry, personified by the mender of roads and the woodsawyer, see it as an opportunity for empowerment and revenge. Most significantly, Doctor Manettes Bastille manuscript reveals that during his years in prison the doctor believed that the whole Evrmonde clan should be destroyed but when his daughter has wedded an Evrmonde he is resolute in his determination to save him. The litany of wrongs suffered by the French peasants including the horrible execution of Gaspard serves to create sympathy for events such as the storming of the Bastille. After the revolution turns bloody, however, the readers sympathies are transferred to the doomed aristocrats awaiting execution.
Class Struggle
The overarching theme of the novel is the struggle between those who have power and privilege and those who do not. At the beginning of the story, the French aristocrats exercise complete and more-or-less unfettered freedom to persecute and deprive those of the lower classes. This fact is harshly illustrated in Doctor Manettes prison manuscript which details how one of the Evrmonde brothers utilized his medieval privilege of harnessing a vassal to a cart and driving him like an animal to his death. It is also shown by Jerry Crunchers insistence that the strict and violent sentence of quartering is barbarous and being told by the sanctimonious bank clerk that the law is just simply because it exists. Later, when the tables have turned, it is the peasants who use their newly discovered power to harshly persecute the aristocrats through mass executions and imprisonment. Darnay notes when he is first interred in La Force prison that the rough looking men are in charge and the prisoners are polite and civil. Jerry Cruncher is deeply affected by the revolution and he more than any other English character in the novel would have reason to be inspired by the uprising of the French poor. But as a good Englishman, his avowal that its bloody sights have caused him to reconsider his grave robbing occupation indicates that he, at least, recognizes the futility in avenging violence with violence.
双语阅读:员工尊重度成为最佳雇主首要指标
体坛英语资讯:Four things we learned from Spains matchday 6
国内英语资讯:Top political advisor stresses ethnic unity, religious harmony, social stability
国内英语资讯:China becomes largest recipient of FDI in H1
新iPhone为何卖到天价?这个幕后女高管功不可没
睡觉时做到这些可预防皱纹
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier meets Dutch king, calls for more cooperation
霍金生前最后担忧:超级富豪操纵DNA或毁灭人类
体坛英语资讯:Otamendi recalled to Argentina squad for friendlies with Iraq, Brazil
刷剧还能成为一种病?奈飞这次是躺着中枪啊
国际英语资讯: South Africa pledges support for peace process in South Sudan
双语阅读:还记得儿时的汤姆和杰瑞吗?《猫和老鼠》真人版要开拍了!
双语阅读:苹果申请新专利 iPhone可拦截诈骗电话
《猫和老鼠》要拍真人版电影?想想画风就很奇特...
体坛英语资讯:Messi sparks revival, Barca drop more points
国内英语资讯:China honors five outstanding workers
广东出台全国首个禁止霸座法规
挖鼻孔不仅恶心,而且会造成致命疾病
体坛英语资讯:USA, Spain into semis, Belgium stun France at FIBA World Cup
体坛英语资讯:Reyna, Benavente return to Peru squad for Chile, US friendlies
国际英语资讯:Hostage safely freed at Cologne station incident
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Irish border remains biggest sticking point in Brexit talks
学生党怎么挣零花钱?这9种兼职可以试试
国内英语资讯:China, Belgium to strengthen cooperation
Proposal 建议书
国际英语资讯: Cambodian PM embarks on 9-day European tour
体坛英语资讯:China rally past Canada, one win away from best result in 24 years at FIBA World Cup
谷歌搜索确认将重返中国!你期待吗?
国内英语资讯:Xi urges efforts to win battle against poverty on schedule
福音!17种抗癌药物纳入医保报销
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |