I. Definition of Generational Conflic
Charles
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is a tale of two revolutions, one political and
the other generational. The story is as much about the political revolution,
during that time, as it is about its generational one. As it tells of the
people’s lives during the French Revolution, it also tells of the changes in
the relationship between father and son, which in a larger sense changed the
nation.
Published
in 1859, it was the crucial time of the late Victorian revolt against tradition
and authority. What started in the mid-Victorian society, the changing
relations inside the family, has now reached its culmination by the time the
novel was written up until its release. Generally, the ideological revolt of
the time changed father-son relations (Hutter, 1978). The idea of a more equal
society urges the son to take a closer look at his own family’s abuse and
cruelty towards the peasants. Upon closer examination, he sees a need for
change even if it is only within himself. But of course, the changes inside
ones own affect the family, and what changes in the family, changes or reshapes
the society.
When we
speak of the term generational conflict as it pertains to this novel, we speak
of the distinction between a certain generation as oppose to its predecessor or
successor; and the conflict or struggle as a result of being tied upon by the
dictates of the present one. A Tale of Two Cities perfectly illustrates this
conflict between generations, between father and son, and between the ruling
class of France
and the emerging power of the peasants or the social class. This paper aims to
analyze the generational conflicts during the time of the French Revolution as
written by Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities.
II. Generational Conflict as Depicted in
the Different Aspects of the Novel
The characters of Darney, Lucie and Carlton are the symbol of
the new generation during the time of the French Revolution. Carlton,
in particular symbolizes the New France, born
from the ashes of the old one. His self sacrifice signifies France’s readiness for reform.
On
the other hand, the characters of the Marquis Evrémonde and Madame Defarge and
the Evrémonde family depicted everything about the old generation of
corruption, evil and injustice that ushered in a call for reform of the nation.
Dickens
also used the settings to create a comparison between the old and new
generations of nations, as shown in the contrast between France and England. The French Revolution is
also an integral part of the generational conflict and its resolution, as will
be explained by the paper as the last aspect of generational conflict in the
novel.
- The Characters as New Generation and New France
a. Charles
Darnay
Argument:
Charles Darnay is the opposing generation to the Marquis’ generation of
aristocracy. He symbolizes the new generation of aristocrats who are born to
the old ways of nobility and yet refuses to go along and continue with the
inequality and injustice that goes along with it. He is a man of honor and
virtue and yet all throughout the novel he failed to do any real moving force
that could have been of great significance (Character In depth Analysis, n.d.).
He embodies the son trying to escape the dictates of his father; the son who,
born from the old corrupt and evil system, tries desperately not to be a part
of it.
Example: Typical
of a son, he is unable to change the wrong in his world. He is a runaway son;
proud of his decision to be on his own and to marry a poor girl (Eigner, 1983).
He assumes that he is powerless and thus wants nothing more than to break free
from the clutches of his father.
Through
Darnay we see a new generation of aristocracy. Here is a man that is so
different from his uncle, the embodiment of old aristocracy. Therefore, what
changes in the family now moves on to the changes in the way of how the society
works at that time.
Quotation:
Albert D. Hutter (1978) in his Nation and Generation in A Tale of Two Cities
wrote, “That revolution and subsequent English social reform inevitably changed
Victorian father-son relations. But the changing Victorian family, in turn,
reshaped society. As much as any other work of 1859, A Tale of Two Cities
demonstrates the correlation between family and nation…”
b. Lucie
Manette
Argument: Lucie
Manette is similar to Darnay. She is full of love and virtue and is depicted as
the modern woman of the times. Not modern in a sense that she is above in
intellect or principles. But she is modern in a sense that she experienced the
cruelties of the old nobility through her father and yet also familiar with the
now ones through Darnay. So as Dickens gave us the generational conflict
between father and son, through Lucie he gave is the generational difference,
if not conflict, between parents and children in general.
Example: Whereas
before, different social classes do not mingle, let alone marry, through Lucie,
we see a new generation of women now able to marry and be equal with the upper
class. Moreover, what is great about Lucie’s character in terms of defining a
generation is that through her we get a glimpse of a new generation that can
reconcile all the classes, with each faults and greatness, in perfect
objectivity and without any personal motive.
Quotation:
She is the new generation of the peasant which will eventually, in time,
abolish the old ways life of the peasantry. Lucie’s love enables Manette’s spiritual renewal, and her
maternal cradling of him on her breast reinforces this notion of rebirth
(Character In depth Analysis, n.d).
c. Sydney
Carton
Argument:
Sydney Carlton symbolizes the New France
during the Revolution. As the final pages foretold, Carlton
will be reborn through those he had saved, so does the old regime of France
will dies and a new and better one will be born. As he had spent his life in
apathy and self indulgence, in the end he was able to give way and sacrifice
himself for the good of those he love. His capacity to change is the defining
sign of the France’s
ability to change and reform, even to die, so that everything can be reborn
into a better and new society.
Example: Though
the French Revolution, to Dickens, is the ultimate sign of transformation and
resurrection, he seemed to detest the violent ways of the peasants and would
rather have a new generation brought about by such sacrifices as Carlton’s (Chesterton,
2006).
Quotation:
Carlton’s statement “I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from
this abyss, and, in their struggles to be truly free, in their triumphs and
defeats, through long years to come, I see the evil of this time and of the
previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation
for itself and wearing out. . . .” could have been France itself speaking as to
what the outcome and the children of the Revolution would be.
- Characters & Other Aspect As Old Generation France
a. Marquis
Evrémonde
Argument: If
Carlton is the
Old France giving way to change, the Marquis Evrémonde is the unyielding and
unbending Old France. It is in his nature to be as self-indulgent as any
archetype of aristocracy. Dickens made the Marquis the symbol of aristocratic
cruelty and the main cause of the peasants’ brutality in seeking reform. He is
the generation or the era that must be destroyed and the increasing power of
the revolutionary only showed that the time of this aristocratic rule has come
to its end.
Example: From
an external point of view, the peasants symbolize the downfall and end of this
generation. From within, Darcy’s desertion is the symbol of internal forces
acting against this old tradition. The Marquis, being the symbol of Old France,
was shown surrounded by factors that are already irrevocably set in motion
toward its abolition.
He is also
the father to a wayward son. He sees nothing wrong with the ways of his
privileged life and sees no reason for change. He is too set in his ways; too
stubborn and too old to see that the world around him is on the verge of
change. He is the typical father who wants nothing more from his child than to
be like him. He sees nothing wrong with this and thinks it is the most natural
thing in the world. But it is not possible since his child, in this case
Darnay, has seen the evils of his generation. Thus he is as powerless to change
himself as he is to do something about their estrangement.
Quotation:
The Marquis’ lack of sympathy and total indifference to the peasants he
exploits is as natural to him as the having to drink his chocolate with the
help of numerous attendants (Eigner, 1983).
b. Madame
Defarge
Argument: As
opposed to Lucie’s embodiment of the new generation of women is Madame Defarge.
Madame Defarge is the perfect example of the old peasant generation
(Chesterton, 2006). Through Madame Defarge, Dickens showed the vulgarity of the
peasants. This characteristic is what binds them to the abuse and cruelty of
the aristocrats. And yet, as typical of any old generation, she is as doomed to
die by the way she had lived.
Example:
Dickens’s knitting imagery also emphasizes an association between vengefulness
and fate, which, in Greek mythology, is traditionally linked to knitting or
weaving. The Fates, three sisters who control human life, busy themselves with
the tasks of weavers or seamstresses: one sister spins the web of life, another
measures it, and the last cuts it. Madame Defarge’s knitting thus becomes a
symbol of her victims’ fate—death at the hands of a wrathful peasantry.
Quotation:
As Madame Defarge sits quietly
knitting, she appears harmless and quaint. In fact, however, she sentences her
victims to death. Similarly, the French peasants may appear simple and humble
figures, but they eventually rise up to massacre their oppressors (Character
& In-depth Analysis, nd.).
c. The
Evrémonde family
Argument:
The Evrémonde family embodied the old and traditional way of life in France
that is soon approaching its end while the revolting peasants embodied the
inevitable power of reform. Yet, Dickens seems ambivalent as to which of these
two conflicting and warring forces is right. He disdained the barbarity of the
revolutionaries as they rise to power (Chesterton, 2006).
Example: This
is exemplified by Madame Defarge’s ruthless desire for retribution against the
injustices done to those belonging to her class. Dickens was fair to say that
she had reasons to be angry but her death at the end seems to suggest that
Dickens cannot fully justify her means, if not her cause.
Quotation:
His young son is run over by the
Marquis' carriage as it speeds through town. In response, the Marquis flicks
Gaspard a coin, showing a complete disregard for Gaspard's daughter's life. But
as the story goes, Gaspard killed the Marquis but doomed himself for his
actions (Character In depth Analysis, n.d).
- The Setting as the Symbol of Old and New Generation of Nations
a. France
Argument: France
symbolizes an ancient generation which is doomed for its corrupt ways. As oppose
to England, Dickens
described France
as corrupt, evil, lawless and cruel which is why the people are revolting. The
idea of social equality is so foreign to France that the people had to
resort to violence as they call for reform. And yet, in the end France
will be reborn into a new modern nation.
Example:
“Lives are shown passing to a peaceful end, and all this individual and
historical "wearing out" is envisaged by a man who is himself
gratefully embracing death as a welcome release....” by J. M. Rignall (1984),
perfectly illustrates the transition France is undergoing at that time. France,
as a nation is ready, and welcomes, the changing times even if it is at the
expense of tradition which had been its way of life for centuries.
Quotation:
“Lives are shown passing to a peaceful end, and all this individual and
historical "wearing out" is envisaged by a man who is himself
gratefully embracing death as a welcome release....” by J. M. Rignall (1984),
perfectly illustrates the transition France is undergoing at that time. France,
as a nation is ready, and welcomes, the changing times even if it is at the
expense of tradition which had been its way of life for centuries.
b. England
Argument: England
symbolizes a new nation on the rise as it has embraced a new system of social
equality. England was the
counterpart of France in a
sense that in the novel, England
was depicted as the nation that is more advance in its view and practice of
morality, sense of justice and social class.
Example: The
opening chapter of A Tale of Two Cities introduces the first of the many
comparisons between France and England that pervade the novel: "There were
a king with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face, on the throne of
England; there were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on
the throne of France"; and both pairs of rulers, in 1775, "carried
their divine rights with a high hand". But from this superficial
similarity there emerges a contrast, as the chapter goes on to illustrate the
defective legal system of each country (Petch, 2002).
Quotation:
Simon Petch (2002) wrote, “In France,
the novel shows us the aristocracy of the ancient regime in exploitative
relation to the peasantry and the urban working classes; in England neither aristocracy nor
peasantry is represented …” Dickens used these two nations to show the
political and social the movements of the times.
c. The
French Revolution
Argument: The
French Revolution is the symbol of the old aristocratic regime that is now
dying so as to give way to the birth of the new modern France. It is fair to say that the
French Revolution is when old generation France comes face to face with the
new generation France to finally establish which will set the course of the
nation and the society. At the time of the writing of the novel, the French
Revolution is still the most significant issue of the time. For Dickens it
spoke of the need for law reform and for a more equal and just society.
Example: He
portrayed the need of the French people, their hunger and poverty, as well as
the abuse and brutality of the French aristocracy. Here he showed the
aristocratic ways of the old and the revolution of the new generation.
Quotation: Again, Hutter (1978) wrote, “In A Tale of Two
Cities, the French Revolution becomes a metaphor for the conflicts between
generations and between classes that preoccupied Dickens throughout his
career.”
III. Conclusion: Generational Conflict -
Its Evolution & As of Dickens
The core
of generational conflict lies within the family—the slowly breaking away of the
sons from their fathers. But it has extended its reach to the very corners of the
society and ultimately to the course of the nation, thereby dictating the
course of its history.
Since the
novel was written during the latter part of Dickens’ life, some critics say
that “A Tale of Two Cities” is his personal reflection about the changing times
around him as slowly creeps into being an old man. They say that it is an old
man’s lamentation for his lost youth, as exemplified by Darnay’s inability to
change his world and by Carlton’s
only redemption through death. However, this is not the case since the novel is
more of a reiteration of generational conflicts that have existed, and will
continue to exist, between fathers and sons, parents and children, old and new
social classes, old and new political powers and even old and new cultures.
What we
saw in A Tale of Two Cities is a tale which we have seen in history and
continue to see in our own families and societies with each ushering of a new
generation. This generational conflict is one of the great aspects of this
novel. That it is as timely as today as it was during the time of its writing
and publication, spoke of Dickens’ ability to go deep into human psyche. The
French Revolution is a mere backdrop which acts as a symbol of the constant
conflict between the old generation’s struggle to resist change and the new
generation’s insistence for change.
Edgar
Johnson (1952) wrote in his work, “Charles Dickens, His Tragedy and Triumph,”
that “to call Dickens a victim of elderly disenchantment would be as absurd as
to say the same of Keats. Such fatigue as there was, was due not to the slowing
down of his blood, but rather to its unremitting rapidity. He was not wearied
by his age; rather he was wearied by his youth. And though A Tale of Two Cities
is full of sadness, it is full also of enthusiasm; that pathos is a young
pathos rather than an old one.”
References
Character
In-depth Analysis: A Tale Of Two Cities. (n.d.)
Retrieved March 15, 2007 from
http://www.sparknotes.com
Chesterton,
G. K. (2006). Appreciations and
Criticisms of the works of Charles Dickens. Retrieved
March 15, 2007
from http://www.sparknotes.com
Eigner,
E. (1983). Charles Darnay and
Revolutionary Identity
New York, AMS Press, Inc.
Hutter,
A. D. (1978). Nation and Generation in A
Tale of Two Cities.
Retrieved March 15, 2007 from
http://www.pmla.com
Johnson,
E. (1952). Charles Dickens, His Tragedy
and Triumph.
Simon and Schuster, University of Michigan
Petch,
S. (2002). The business of the barrister
in A Tale of Two Cities - Critical Essay.
Retrieved March 15, 2007 from http://www.findarticles.com/
Rignall,
J.M. (1984). Dickens and the Catastrophic Continuum of History in A Tale of
Two Cities. ELH. 51(3). Johns Hopkins
University
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