Chapter One:  Literary Devices & Setting Details

It was the 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 direct to Heaven, we were all going direct 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.

Days Required:  2-3 class periods (and at-home study/review time)

Because A Tale of Two Cities is a difficult novel to read, in part, as a result of Dickens’ grammatically correct yet convoluted sentence structures, you will need time to adjust to his writing style, as well as his favorite literary devices.  Also, you will need to learn to find the important details in the midst of a morass of words.  So, let us begin by searching for some details!  ECHO EACH QUESTION!

1.  Read Chapter One (2 ½ pages), Book I in its entirety.  Do not panic if it seems difficult!  Your first "read" will probably be a confusing one -- You may be bewildered by all of the obscure references that Dickens includes.  However, the following questions and the accompanying resources will help you develop an image of France and England in the "dear old year one thousand seven hundred and seventy–five."  What year would that be?

Then, with a partner, complete the following tasks:

2.  Define each of the terms that are highlighted in the passages above (epoch, incredulity, superlative, convoluted, morass).  Also provide the year in which the book is "set" (see quote above).

3.  Complete the Literary Devices Crossword Puzzle.  For this exercise, you will need to review the Literary Devices and Rhetorical Terms sheet!  Although you may be familiar with some of the devices (it will prove a good review, others will be new to you.

4. In this opening paragraph of the novel, which literary device is most evident?  Choose from the following and explain your answer using a reference to the text:  Onomatopoeia; personification; paradox.

5. In this same opening paragraph, what is Dickens saying about 1775 and the "present" which, for Dickens , would have been the time he was writing the novel (some time around 1850)?

6.  According to Dickens, what is the only difference between the monarchy of France and that of England? Provide a quote to prove your point.  Include quotation marks and the page number in parentheses.

7.  By using this simple image, Dickens offers his view of the monarchies.  What is Dickens’ opinion of the monarchies?

8.  Who are the monarchies in 1776?  Name the king and queen of England and France.  Then provide three significant details about each king.  Enter each king's name in the search field.

9.  Read a bit about Mrs. Southcott.  Then, briefly explain the spiritualist movement which was so popular at that time. 

10. To what prediction do you think the phrase "swallowing up of London and Westminster" refers?

11. Who are the Life Guards?  Hint:  They don't necessarily swim.

12.  Considering the date (1775), to what might the phrase "Mere messages in the earthly order of events" refer?  Copy the quote into your notes!  Let's have a hint or two...

13.  Explain Dickens' use of the term "congress."  Which congress is it?  Don't answer with "United States."  What is another definition of congress?

14.  What type of allusion is this reference?

15.  Dickens will continue to use the image of the “road” repeatedly.    List ten words you associate with the word "road."

16.  What do you think the "road" may symbolize?

17.  On page 14, Dickens continues a lengthy comparison.  What is the “sister of the shield and trident” and what do these images represent?

18.   What is happening to the French economy? Provide a quote to prove your point!  Also visit this link and read the "economics" section which refers to French debt!  What effect did paper money and the "assignat" have on the economy?  Also look at the Taxation section.  What is a "gabelle"?

19.   What is unusual about the way the monks behave?

20.   What is already “marked” by the Woodman?  What is a tumbril?  It has multiple uses!  Be sure to list three!

21.   Who are the Woodman and the Farmer, respectively?  See the appositives!

22.   What is “set apart” by the Farmer?

19.   According to Dickens, England is in terrible shape.  What does the City Tradesman become at night?

20.  Share some information about the Postal Service - two or three sentences.  See the section entitled "Ralph Allen and John Palmer  1700 to 1840" for details.

21.   Identify two of the problems that England is experiencing at this time (1775 and 1850).

22.   See page 15.  What is Dickens’ view of capital punishment? Provide the quote that proves this.

23.  What do you think the word “environed” means?  Provide a similar sounding word with which you are familiar and then make an educated guess.  Grab that thinking cap!

24.   Take a close look at the last section of this chapter.  How do the “Greatnesses” view their subjects?  Provide a quote to prove your point!

25.  Overall, what is the tone of the narrator? Examples of tone include:  resentful, contented, angry, pleased, self-satisfied, hesitant, fearful, etc..

For additional points (if the teacher allows) you can complete the literary device identification worksheet.

  Now we may move on.  Forge ahead to France!