Re: Hard Times
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Tue, 10 Nov 1998 10:48:02 -0100
My dear Mr Wolchuk,
Satire was not something I consciously attempted in "A Tale of Two
Cities." My previous novel, "Little Dorrit," contained many satirical
passages, to be sure, but it is not easy to be satirical about events
distant in time and space. This is not to solve your problem, though! And
perhaps my intentions are not all that need to be considered.
A case might be made out, I suppose, for describing as satire much of what
I say about the ancien regime. The description of Monseigneur's reception
is, perhaps, the best example. I like to think my treatment of it was the
more powerful through being entirely indirect.
If I were performing your task, I think I should be tempted to make a
modest protest about the assignment given, tempted to point out that the
subject of "A Tale of Two Cities" doesn't lend itself to satire in the way
that the subjects of "Bleak House" and "Little Dorrit" do. But having done
that, I should examine in depth the description of the reception, and
perhaps the description of the burning of the chateau, pointing out how
fierce condemnation is contrived, without ever being actually stated. A
final point might be made out of my anxiety about the events of the French
revolution being replicated in England.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
____________________________________________________________________________
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>Dear Charles Dickens
>
>Im doing an essay on satire in the entire book of"A Tale of Two Cities".
>I cant figure out any good intelligent ideas. I need serious help!
>
>if you could reply in the next few days it would be appreciated.
>Thank you so much
>
>Tyler Wolchuk
>
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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