Dickens Analyses of Imagery and Personification: A Tale of Two Cities 
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Mr. Feudo
English I Pre-AP 6
22 March 2013
Dickens Analyses of Imagery and Personification Throughout the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens compares the two countries of England and France. In the novel, you see Dickens using multiple figurative language devices to show how England is superior to France. In chapter 21, Echoing Footsteps, Dickens uses Imagery and Personification to contrast the calm life Soho prior to the revolution with the turbulent life of Saint Antoine during the Storming of the Bastille, in order to indicate the difference in the two cities. Dickens illustrates the tranquility of the life in Soho by using imagery to convey the peacefulness of Lucie Manette and the People of Soho. In the passing of the eight years, Dickens portrays the life of Lucie Manette to be peaceful and happy. Lucie and Darnay’s had a child, little Lucie, who is the light of their life. Everything’s going great for them and even when things get bad they are still good. Lucie and Darnay have a son, but unfortunately he dies. The “sound of sorrow” from his death was neither harsh nor cruel. “The rustling of Angel’s wings” blended with the other echoes (213). In creating the images of the Angel wings, Dickens portrays how even when Lucie lost her son, she still was happy to know he was going to heaven. By using the angel wings Dickens indicates that Lucie’s life is still peaceful when she lost someone as dear as her son. When the years in Soho go on, Lucie and Darnay hear none but “friendly and soothing sounds” (212). By portraying the images of friendly and soothing sounds, Dickens shows how peaceful Lucie Manette lives. The Images Dickens portrays helps the audience realize how calm the life in Soho is. In this chapter, Dickens also depicts the turbulence in Saint Antoine during the Storming of the Bastille by using personification. As well as imagery, Dickens uses personification to illustrate the turbulence going on during the Storming of the
Mr. Feudo
English I Pre-AP 6
22 March 2013
Dickens Analyses of Imagery and Personification Throughout the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens compares the two countries of England and France. In the novel, you see Dickens using multiple figurative language devices to show how England is superior to France. In chapter 21, Echoing Footsteps, Dickens uses Imagery and Personification to contrast the calm life Soho prior to the revolution with the turbulent life of Saint Antoine during the Storming of the Bastille, in order to indicate the difference in the two cities. Dickens illustrates the tranquility of the life in Soho by using imagery to convey the peacefulness of Lucie Manette and the People of Soho. In the passing of the eight years, Dickens portrays the life of Lucie Manette to be peaceful and happy. Lucie and Darnay’s had a child, little Lucie, who is the light of their life. Everything’s going great for them and even when things get bad they are still good. Lucie and Darnay have a son, but unfortunately he dies. The “sound of sorrow” from his death was neither harsh nor cruel. “The rustling of Angel’s wings” blended with the other echoes (213). In creating the images of the Angel wings, Dickens portrays how even when Lucie lost her son, she still was happy to know he was going to heaven. By using the angel wings Dickens indicates that Lucie’s life is still peaceful when she lost someone as dear as her son. When the years in Soho go on, Lucie and Darnay hear none but “friendly and soothing sounds” (212). By portraying the images of friendly and soothing sounds, Dickens shows how peaceful Lucie Manette lives. The Images Dickens portrays helps the audience realize how calm the life in Soho is. In this chapter, Dickens also depicts the turbulence in Saint Antoine during the Storming of the Bastille by using personification. As well as imagery, Dickens uses personification to illustrate the turbulence going on during the Storming of the
Cited: Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. New York: Bantam Classic, 2003. Print.