*submitted on time
At the start of the novel, England is presented as having a severely problematic judicial system with concerns such as disproportionate punitive measures being at the forefront. Laws were flouted with regularity and highwaymen dominated the roads. France is shown with its own brand of problems which are far more extreme ad pernicious in nature, with issues like extreme poverty and a ruthless oppression of the poor. The first idea that comes to my mind is the need for reform that is felt when it comes to the English context, and a far more significant change i.e. revolution, when it comes to the French one. Revolution entails a far more radical shift, possible involving changing a system that doesn’t cater to everyone fairly, whereas reform signifies a series of less drastic improvements and innovations to an otherwise working system.
As the novel progresses, we see England’s problems fading into the background as the French Revolution is initiated. In fact, in an interesting way, England becomes the safe haven and, to an extent, the solution to the problems faced by France. The Manette family is happily settled and thrives in England whereas they are virtually persecuted and tormented in their home country. Sydney Carton, an English man, gives up his life to save said French family, and by extension, France. Ms. Pross takes care of Madam Defarge, the one individual who singlehandedly manages to drive the Revolution off the track of bettering the country by involving extreme biases and promoting an extremely unfair way of judging individuals. In a lot of different ways, England and its citizens provide means for attaining the salvation and recovery that France and her people need at this point in time. If nothing else, the Manette family can hastily retreat to their tranquil and pleasant lodgings in London, where they can live their lives as they please.
At the start of the novel, England is presented as having a severely problematic judicial system with concerns such as disproportionate punitive measures being at the forefront. Laws were flouted with regularity and highwaymen dominated the roads. France is shown with its own brand of problems which are far more extreme ad pernicious in nature, with issues like extreme poverty and a ruthless oppression of the poor. The first idea that comes to my mind is the need for reform that is felt when it comes to the English context, and a far more significant change i.e. revolution, when it comes to the French one. Revolution entails a far more radical shift, possible involving changing a system that doesn’t cater to everyone fairly, whereas reform signifies a series of less drastic improvements and innovations to an otherwise working system.
As the novel progresses, we see England’s problems fading into the background as the French Revolution is initiated. In fact, in an interesting way, England becomes the safe haven and, to an extent, the solution to the problems faced by France. The Manette family is happily settled and thrives in England whereas they are virtually persecuted and tormented in their home country. Sydney Carton, an English man, gives up his life to save said French family, and by extension, France. Ms. Pross takes care of Madam Defarge, the one individual who singlehandedly manages to drive the Revolution off the track of bettering the country by involving extreme biases and promoting an extremely unfair way of judging individuals. In a lot of different ways, England and its citizens provide means for attaining the salvation and recovery that France and her people need at this point in time. If nothing else, the Manette family can hastily retreat to their tranquil and pleasant lodgings in London, where they can live their lives as they please.
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