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

  1. Dr. Manette (recalled to life literally, love of Lucie restores him)

  2. Carton (when he decides to lay down his life for Darnay—his good side is reborn)

  3. Carton is resurrected through Sydney Carton Darnay

  4. Darnay is reborn twice (because of Carton)—English trial, in Paris

  5. Jerry Cruncher – becomes an honest tradesman, wants his wife to pray for him, no more

  6. 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