The Role of Women in "A Tale of Two Cities."

Charles Dickens's novel "A Tale of Two Cities" is a story of intricately woven plot lines driven by intriguing characters. The female characters are often primary forces in driving the other players and advancing the plot. It's been said that Dickens uses the women in his story to somewhat questionable ends; some say that he merely uses their womanhood for symbolism and crudely limits their portrayal to the reader to their rather boring superlatives. However …

…characters are merely items in the story of "A Tale of Two Cities", because Lucie is the exception that negates the rule. She is almost a divinity to the men of Dickens's tale, a shining light that brings out the best in everyone who meets her. Lucie is vitally important character to the story, and without her, not only would the plot be virtually nonexistent, but the characters would be frustratingly two-dimensional and woefully underdeveloped.