Tale of Two Cities: Active Reading Notes (Video)

1857- The Frozen Deep play Dickens played in.  Inspired by Franklin expedition in 1845 to the Artic to find the Northwest Passage . In the play he played Richard who sacrificed himself so his best friend can be with the girl they both love. The self sacrifice aspect is passed onto the plot of A Tale of Two Cities Lucie in the story is based off of Ellen, the women he left his wife for. 1858 started a series of public readings for money.  This established a new relationship with his readers. 1858 He separated from his wife. Started a new journal that the majority is his and in late 1858 the first three chapters of A Tale of Two Cities was published. Dickens fell in love with Paris . Paris was modernizing and vibrant city during Dickens time. He was fascinated with the darker side of the city and visited the morgue often. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times”  Uses a historical setting for a very modern parallel. A Tale of Two Cities moved between Paris and France and goes up to the French Revolution <-----------------------------mine ends here Weekly Journal: Weekly Cereal- made Dickens restrict his focus, two illustrations from his novels.  Dickens illustrator for A Tale of Two Cities was Brown. He enjoyed pictures of animals, but didn’t do illustrations after this book. Dickens writes of history, not a problem.  Become aware of how he distributed the novel into cereal issues. He wrote the novel as he went along so the readers didn’t know what was going to happen. Dickens wanted people to read his stories for two reasons, because of a memorable time in France and to see reactions to exaggeration and because he felt it was his best work yet. He kept his writing hidden until it was published.   “The Only Way” in 1948, Dickens builds suspense and tension, by imagery. 1840 Thomas Carlyle influenced Dickens. “Rare and great worth of a loving man”. He enjoyed Dickens readings. Dickens turned to him to preparing A Tale of Two Cities. Weekly Journal: Weekly Cereal- good for Dickens, made him restrict his focus, two illustrations from his novels.  Dickens illustrator for tale of two cities was Brown. Pictures of horses, which he liked doing. He didnt illustrate after the tale of two cities. Dealing with history rather a problem.  Become aware of how he distributed the novel into cereal issues. Makes use of cliffhanger endings..to the next week’s issues of the Weekly Cereal.. Didn’t create the novel in pieces, he wrote as he went along, so people could witness his writings.  He would Adjust characters and split to the way characters would react. He wanted people to Read for 2 reasons: treats of a very memorable time in France and he wanted to kno what pp. Thought of the exaggeration, and because it was the best story he has written. He kept his writing private until it was published.  “the best story I have written” recognize the historical process of events in this novel. France dramatization never happened.. There were other adaptations March 1860 Tom Taylor: “The only Way”- done by two clergyman, best dramatization. Silent film in 1908 of this film. First sound film 1935.  “The Only Way” was shown in 1948. Dickens builds suspense and tension, by imagery. Public issue: revolution -  Thomas Carlyle. Tremendous influence with Dickens. They met in 1840. Dickens said he would go see Carlyle anywhere..they were very good friends.  Elen Turner: 1857 she was 18, he was 45.  “Rare and great worth of a loving man”. C enjoyed Dickens readings. Dickens turned to him to preparing a tale of 2 cities.  “Every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret of mystery…”  “I hope you care to live..”