BLOG #1

In the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, in the first chapter it demonstrates the full setting of forces and events that later on forms the lives of the novel's characters. On the first paragraph, Dickens begins developing the central theme of division. The combinations of contrasting concepts such as the "best “and "worst “of times, "Light “and "Darkness, “and "hope “and "despair “reflect the mirror images of good and evil that will recur in characters and situations throughout the novel. In addition, the book takes place in England and France in 1775, both countries are concurrently suffering very alike and very different situations. The differences between the two countries become more distinct when Dickens compares the ideas of spirituality and justice in each country. In England, people are absorbed with the supernatural, especially with prophets and ghosts that communicate spiritual messages. However, in France, people pay attention to religious leaders out of fear rather than interest. Dickens contrasts France's strict justice system to England's careless one. Criminals overrun England: Highwaymen rob seemingly at will, prisoner’s revolt against their jailers, and violence is answered with more violence. When the courts serve justice in England, they serve it indiscriminately, with murderers and petty thieves alike receiving the death penalty.