Summary:
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a historical novel set during the late 18th century, focusing on events leading up to and during the French Revolution. The story revolves around London and Paris, depicting the violent turmoil of the revolution while exploring themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and justice.
The novel follows Dr. Manette, who is released from the Bastille after eighteen years of unjust imprisonment. His daughter, Lucie Manette, falls in love with Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who renounces his family’s oppressive legacy. However, he is later arrested and sentenced to death by revolutionaries in Paris.
The novel’s climax highlights Sydney Carton, a dissolute English lawyer who redeems himself by switching places with Darnay at the guillotine, sacrificing his life for Lucie’s happiness. His final words, “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done”, symbolize selflessness and redemption.
The novel masterfully contrasts the chaos of revolution with the hope for renewal, making it one of Dickens’ most powerful works.
MCQs:
- Which two cities are referenced in the title?
A) London and Rome
B) Paris and Berlin
C) London and Paris
D) New York and Paris
Answer: C) London and Paris - Who is Dr. Manette’s daughter?
A) Sydney Carton
B) Madame Defarge
C) Lucie Manette
D) Miss Pross
Answer: C) Lucie Manette - How long was Dr. Manette imprisoned in the Bastille?
A) 10 years
B) 18 years
C) 5 years
D) 25 years
Answer: B) 18 years
A Tale of Two Cities - What is Charles Darnay’s secret?
A) He is a spy for England
B) He is a revolutionary leader
C) He is a member of the French aristocracy
D) He is Sydney Carton’s brother
Answer: C) He is a member of the French aristocracy - Who seeks revenge against the Evremonde family?
A) Lucie Manette
B) Mr. Lorry
C) Madame Defarge
D) Miss Pross
Answer: C) Madame Defarge - Who switches places with Charles Darnay at the guillotine?
A) Dr. Manette
B) Sydney Carton
C) Mr. Lorry
D) Ernest Defarge
Answer: B) Sydney Carton - What are Sydney Carton’s famous last words?
A) “I regret everything I have done.”
B) “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done.”
C) “Liberty, equality, fraternity!”
D) “Death to the aristocrats!”
Answer: B) “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done.” - What does the broken wine cask in Paris symbolize?
A) The growing wealth of the revolutionaries
B) The desperation and hunger of the poor
C) The power of the aristocracy
D) The bloodshed of the revolution
Answer: D) The bloodshed of the revolution - What is the role of Mr. Lorry in the novel?
A) A lawyer
B) A banker at Tellson’s Bank
C) A revolutionary leader
D) A prison guard
Answer: B) A banker at Tellson’s Bank - What literary technique does Dickens use to highlight the contrast between England and France?
A) Metaphor
B) Foreshadowing
C) Parallelism
D) Allegory
Answer: C) Parallelism
| Question | Answer |
| Book Name | A Tale of Two Cities |
| Author | Charles Dickens |
| Year Published | 1859 |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Setting | London and Paris (1775–1793) |
| Main Themes | Revolution, Sacrifice, Resurrection |
| Main Characters | Dr. Manette, Lucie Manette, Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, Madame Defarge |
| Symbolism | The guillotine (oppression), Broken wine cask (bloodshed), Resurrection theme (new beginnings) |
| Literary Significance | One of Dickens’ most famous works; explor |