Re: reading TALE OF TWO CITIES
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Wed, 15 Apr 1998 11:19:35 -0100
My dear Miss Jessica,
Nothing could please me more than your reading "A Tale of Two Cities."
And your questions are simply answered. When I speak of the Revolution I
often speak of water and the sea because, as many others than myself saw, it
was like a natural force, like a storm or tempest or dangerously high tide,
overwhelming what had been thought safe and permanent. Because the
Revolution, by whomever it was started, unleashed the fury of the mob, human
volition receded into the background, the untamed and unpredictable passion
of the crowd came to the fore, history came to be driven by something like
natural forces rather than by the deliberations of men and women.
The Bastille was symbolic for the Revolutionaries, not just for me. It
represented to them all that was wrong about the infamous lettres de cachet,
and what they were used for. In the end, I understand, it was revealed to
be more symbolic than anything else. It proved not difficult to storm, and
far fewer prisoners were found within than had been anticipated. But it
represented an unjust and cruel system, and I let it do that within my book too.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
________________________________________________________________________________
>Dear Mr. Dickens,
> I am reading "A Tale of Two Cities" and I have a few questions I would
> appreciate you answering for me. First, I have noticed that whenever
>you mention the revolution, you mention water or the sea. Can you tell
>me the symbolism in that? And, also, I would like to know what is symbolic
>about the Bastille.
>
>Many Thanks,
>Jessica
>
>
======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author