Re: A Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Thu, 22 May 1997 15:14:02 -0100 

My dear Mrs Smith,

  You are too earnest in your praise.  And I'm puzzled
by your reference to my autobiography.  I wrote only
a fragment of that, which my friend Mr Forster, I
understand, absorbed into the life of me the dear
fellow wrote.
  Many learned professors have devoted themselves to
the Inimitable's modest stories.  Some, to be sure,
have astonished the Inimitable, by showing him how very
profound he is.  But I am unaware of any who has
selected the subject of twins.
  Perhaps one should.  Twins have ever fascinated me.
You may recall others in my books: Charles and Ned
Cheeryble in "Nicholas Nickleby," for instance, Jeremiah
and Ephraim Flintwinch in "Little Dorrit," Bart and
Judy Smallweed in "Bleak House."  And do you recall, I
wonder, that Minnie Meagles, in "Little Dorrit," was a
surviving twin, her sister Tillie having died in
infancy?
  But before you permit yourself elaborate theories
about the significance of twins, I recommend you do
not forget how plainly useful twins may be to a writer
of stories.  As I recall, my decision to create twin
Cheeryble bothers had to do, not only with my
admiration of the Grant brothers of Manchester, who
sat for the Cheerybles, but also with the practical
conveying of information.  The Cheeryble bothers are
good men - philanthropists.  A solitary philanthropist
who speaks constantly of the good he is doing is a
Pharisee.  Two Cheeryble brothers, however, can
discuss between themselves what good they consider
doing.
  In the case of the St Evremonde brothers, the device
of twins enabled me to create a greater distance between
Charles Darnay and the Marquis who appears in the story.
Hatred between Darnay and his own father would have
involved the tale in unnecessary complications.
  I trust, my dear Mrs Smith, that what I say will
shed a little light on puzzles a teacher must solve.


Faithfully yours,



Charles Dickens

________________________________________________________________________________
>Mr. Dickens,
>
>I am an English teacher who is fascinated by your style and talent.  In the
two English classes that I teach, we read Great Expectations, A Tale of Two
Cities, and A Christmas Carol.  I also teach sections of your autobiography.
Could you please help me find more detailed information on A Tale of Two
Cities and the parallel of the twins.  (Cities, Carton/Darney,
Marquis/Marquis)
>
>Respectfully,
>
>Kim Smith
>Your greatest fan
>
>

======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author