Opposing Forces in Tale of Two Cities, By Charles Dickens

Dickens' places a heavy load on opposite forces in A Tale of Two Cities. Such antitheses occur between polar characters and contrary settings, and they enhance the meaning of certain aspects of the novel to a great extent. A great example of Dickens' use of antithesis can be found in the novel's two main female characters: Lucie Manette and Lady Defarge. Lucie embodies a loving and nurturing, good-natured person who is genuinely concerned with the …

…robbery was commonplace. Such contrasting elements in A Tale of Two Cities provide additional push to further separate the extremes. For example, Madame Defarge wouldn't seem as heartless without Lucie to counter her; likewise, Lucie wouldn't seem as loving without Defarge. Also, Lucie's appeal is reinforced by the common French citizen, bent on the upheaval of the aristocracy and the use of the guillotine. Such extremes play off each other and strengthen the novel's solidity.