Re: Heroes in Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Thu, 21 May 1998 11:24:52 -0100
My dear Miss Lisa,
It is hard for a writer to talk about his own style. Can I suggest you
consider the matter of obliquity? Do I ever tell you directly, when you are
getting to know Sydney Carton, what kind of a man he is? What do I tell
you? What do I remain silent about? To what extent do you see and
understand Carton by comparing him with others? These questions may serve
your purpose.
As for the change in Sydney Carton, let me remind you of terms I use
chiefly for Dr Manette: "buried alive" and "recalled to life." May it not
be said of Sydney Carton, almost more justly than it is said of Dr Manette,
that he is "buried alive" and "recalled to life"?
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
________________________________________________________________________________
>dear Mr. Dickens,
>
>I have just finished reading your great work A Tale of Two Cities.
>My English teacher, has ruined the enjoyment of the book by asking me to
>pick apart your writing style and answer the question of how your style
>portrays Sydney Carton's character and how this character changes
>throughout the novel.
>I appreciate your help.
>
>Lisa
>
>
======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author