Re: A Tale Of Two Cities

Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Fri, 16 Oct 1998 11:09:20 -0100 

My dear Mr Suttle,

  It is never easy for a writer to talk about what "inspired" his work.  For
one thing, a professional author, if he is to survive as such, must regard
his labours much as any other worker does his, must sit at his desk
regularly, and pen words to earn his bread.  "Inspiration," if it comes, is
a bonus.
  That being said, I do recognise that certain events in my life at the time
underpinned "A Tale of Two Cities."  One was my participation, not long
before I began to write the novel, in a play called "The Frozen Deep," the
production of which I managed, and in which I played the part of Richard
Wardour, who lays down his life rescuing the man loved by the woman he
himself loves.  Such was the success of the pathos of this with audiences,
not to mention with fellow members of the cast, that the motif of
self-sacrifice lodged itself in my mind.
  Now I come to a matter I find it difficult to discuss.  The year before I
wrote "A Tale of Two Cities," Mrs Dickens and I separated.  We had lived
together, unhappily, for many years.  The parting, though painful was a
resurrection for me.  I felt I had been buried alive.  Something of this, I
suggest, is to be found in "A Tale of Two Cities."
  Finally, there are my deliberate intention to consider.  I wrote "A Tale
of Two Cities" as a warning of what could happen in England.  Mr Carlyle's
noble work, "The French Revolution," inspired me.  So did many other books
he was kind enough to suggest to me, which he himself had read preliminary
to writing his history.
  As to how I feel about the continuing popularity of my works, what can I
say but delighted?


Faithfully yours,


Charles Dickens
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> My class is reading your work, A Tale Of Two Cities which I think is a
>very good story. I asked you these questions a couple of days ago but I
>did'nt think to put the name of the novel. Since I don't think you would
>tell me who you REALLY are, here they go. What inspired you to write
>this story? And what do you think about it being so popular even over
>200 years? By the way I'm from the USA and I went to visit London last
>summer. It's a very interesting place even though the cooking is
>horrible (no offense).
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>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author