A Tale of Two Cities Notes (Dr. Tony Williams Lecture, Gresham College)

• Self-sacrifice was a major them based off  his friend's play inspired by the 1845 trip to find the Northwest Passage, from which all participants perished (suggestions of cannibalism).
• Dickens creates "Lucie" based off a character played by the woman whom he wants, but is not married to (ends up divorcing his wife for).
• Carton is a reflection of Dickens (Charles Darnay and Dick Carton, as which is what he named Sydney Carton instead, are a parallel representation of Dickens himself).
• May of 1858, separated from his wife, June it was publicly announced.
• 1859- Began a new Journal, first 3 chapters of A Tale of Two Cities was published.
• London provided many unsettling sights that "were to haunt him for years".
• Wretchedness and darkness but also "magic lantern". "A day in London sets me up and starts me."He made connections within London that were not previously made.
• Visited Paris for the first time in 1844 on his way to Italy. "It is the most extraordinary place in the world." "Nothing but strange and striking things came swarming before me." He found Paris to be a character in itself. He described it as an eternal book. He was completely amazed with it. Saw it as an opposite to London in that sense.
• Dickens visited Paris at least 15 times between 1844 and 1868. Often very lengthy stays. Gave public readings in the British embassy. This was over a span of multiple topographical and political changes.
• Fascinated by the darker side of the city. Drawn to visit the morgue, which was listed as a visitor attraction in the city.
• Bleakly described the location at which the Bastille had been.
• "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of foolishness, it was the age of wisdom..."
• A Tale of Two Cities- years leading up to and directly after the French Revolution. Victorians were haunted by memory and example of French Revolution. Written only 70 years after the revolution.
• Novel is a warning of revolution, one of the Victorian's great fears. Novel came out in chunks, chapter by chapter in journals and magazines (1859) 
• He felt it was the best story he had ever written. 
• Dickens build suspense and tension through imagery, setting, and plot.
• Responds to criticism with clear and decisive responses. 
• Characters become mysteries to one another, despite the tangled connections between most of the characters.
•