Essay Notes
Tale of Two Cities: Essay Notes & Sample Outlines
Carton is the antithesis of Madame Defarge
Carton
Trying to save Darnay
Jesus-like
Dies for the sins of others
Motivated by love
Relies on alcohol to soothe (until the end)
Ends the revolution
Rises to good because of another
Unfocused (until the end): no purpose
Realizes how to fix his weaknesses
Knows his weaknesses: changes for the better
Aspires to help the helpless and succeeds: self sacrifice
Reaction to suffering: Self destructive
Death is purposeful in his plan to save Charles
Gains power through good acts
Dies for love, killed by hate = does not die in vain (redemption and much gained by death)
Madame Defarge
Trying to kill Darnay
Devil-like
Kills for the sins of others
Motivated by hatred
Relies on planning revenge to soothe
Starts the revolution
Falls to evil because of another
Always has one focus: one purpose
Never realizes her wrongs
Thinks her weakness (only revenge) is her strength: never changes
Aspires to help the weak and poor of France, but does the opposite: sacrifices others
Reaction to suffering: Destructive to others
Death is accidental in her attempt to kill Pross
Abuses power through evil acts
Dies for hate, killed by love = dies in vain
Similarities: hard lives filled with suffering, imperfect, reach their dreams in the end (almost), both have their vices, observant (always watching quietly in the background)
I. Intro (title, author, thesis, theme)
II. Similarity
III. Difference 1 (Defarge)
IV. Difference 2 (Defarge)
V. Difference 3 (Defarge)
VI. Difference 1 (Carton)
VII. Difference 2(Carton)
VIII. Difference 3 (Carton)
IX. Conclusion
Resurrection
• Second chance, all is never lost
• Love can redeem anyone no matter how low
• Good will reign supreme in the end
Dr. Manette (recalled to life literally, love of Lucie restores him)
Carton (when he decides to lay down his life for Darnay—his good side is reborn)
Carton is resurrected through Sydney Carton Darnay
Darnay is reborn twice (because of Carton)—English trial, in Paris
Jerry Cruncher – becomes an honest tradesman, wants his wife to pray for him, no more
France (beautiful city and brilliant people) out of bloody streets and abyss of revolution
I. Intro: title author thesis theme
II. Minor resurrection (Dr. Manette?)
III. Resurrection #2 (Darnay?)
IV. Carton: new man when he decides to die for Darnay
V. Final scene analysis – Christ-like imagery
VI. Rebirth in Sydney Carton Darnay
VII. Conclusion (Rebirth of France = a death for love restores order, instead of all deaths for revenge)
Love conquers hate
Miss Pross vs. Madame Defarge
Pross
Motivated by love for Lucie
Ugly, beautiful within
English
Similarities
Stubborn
Loyal
One focus
Working class
No kids
Not complex
Defarge
Motivated by hate for Evremondes
Beautiful, ugly within
French
Theme version
I. Quotation p. 286 “ the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger than hate”
II. Intro: title, author, thesis, central theme from that quotation
III. Fight scene: love conquers hate
a. Quotation:
IV. Show the love of Pross for Lucie
V. hatred of Defarge for Evremonde
VI. Sydney Carton dies for love and redeems France = brings good to France (what Defarge aims for and fails)
VII. Conclusion and theme
Or
Comparison Version
I. Comparison: Pross vs. Defarge, Love vs. hate theme
II. Defarge hatred
III. Pross Love
VIII. Battle scene p. 286 “ the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger than hate”
IV. Carton dies for love—redeems France
V. Conclusion