Violence in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Violence has a significant impact on one's life. In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Dickens shows the effect behind violence and the impact that it has on someone living through the French Revolution. Dickens illustrates the consequences of extreme violence through stories and characters' experiences. Dickens shows what happens to someone when they use violence as a solution to their problems. Dickens explains violence through a revolution and suggests that violence has a significant impact on someone.  

Throughout the text, Dickens sends a strong message behind how violence impacts someone's character. Since Doctor Manette was in prison for so long, the impact on him was very evident. Doctor Manette was in prison for eighteen years. Since he was away from his family for so long in prison, he changed. When Lucie was finally able to see him again she was confused and did not believe it was the man that she thought she knew. Lucie Manette says passionately, "No, no, no; you are too young, too blooming. It can't be. See what the prisoner is. These are not the hands she knew, this is not the face she knew, this is not a voice she ever heard.” (Dickens 56) After being in prison, Doctor Manette was not even recognized by his daughter. Dickens is suggesting that a violent place like a prison can impact someone and ruin who they were prior to being imprisoned. Moving forward was a challenge because of the lasting effects of being in prison for so long. The revolution was a very inhumane time and unfortunately, people lived through it and had to watch the violent acts first hand. Since Dr. Manette is at the center of the revolution, he sees people killed and bodies regularly. Dickens says, “Still, the Doctor walked among the terrors with a steady head. No man better known than he, in Paris at that day; no man in a stranger situation. Silent, humane, indispensable in hospital and prison, using his art equally among assassins and victims, he was a man apart. (Dickens 332) Dickens explains that the violence that Dr. Manette sees on a day-to-day basis is hard to handle. During the revolution, people had to witness horrible things regularly as it was violent all the time. Dickens shows how someone's violent experiences may change their lives and their mental state

Violence is shown through the rising number of people killed in the revolution and the harshness of it. Dickens shows how harsh it was during this time. So many lives were taken and the violence of the revolution had significantly increased. Dickens writes, ”So much more wicked and distracted had the Revolution grown in that December month, that the rivers of the South were encumbered with the bodies of the violently drowned.” (Dickens 332) The Revolution had come to such an intense point that bodies were everywhere. It was so bad that the rivers were full of bodies. Dickens uses rise in numbers and a large number of people being killed to show how violent it was. Another thing that he uses to explain the violence is how bad it was for people to live through it. As Darnay is traveling to France from England with hopes of helping to calm down and control the revolution, he comes across violent villagers but can get away from them. Charles Darnay says, "After having long been in danger of my life at the hands of the village, I have been seized, with great violence and indignity (Dickens 290). After experiencing the threat of the villagers on his way to do something good, he must become stronger and ready to survive because he knew how dangerous this time was. This proves the intensity of violence and how impactful it was for someone to live through the Revolution. People felt a constant threat living their daily lives. 

People who want revenge and superiority can lead to them committing extremely violent acts. Madame Defarge is an example of how acting on one's desires without considering the consequences will lead to more aggression. When Madame Defarge has something in mind that she wants and is not completely satisfied, she resorts to violence. Dickens says, “Madame's resolute right hand was occupied with an axe, in place of the usual softer implements, and in her girdle were a pistol and a cruel knife."Where do you go, my wife?" I go," said madame, "with you at present. You shall see me at the head of women, by-and-bye." "Come, then!" cried Defarge, in a resounding voice. "Patriots and friends, we are ready! The Bastille!" (Dickens 263) Madame Defarge was headed to storm the Bastille and with her was a large group of people and they carried multiple weapons with them with the intent of using them. Dickens gives examples of people who believe that others deserve to die when they upset them. Dickens supports that through Madame Defarge’s want for justice and how she wants people to be held accountable for their actions. Madame Defarge wanted to hurt people and Dickens uses violent and harsh dialogue to send his message about violence. Here, Dickens says, “See you," said madame, "I care nothing for this Doctor, I. He may wear his head or lose it, for any interest I have in him; it is all one to me. But, the Evremonde people are to be exterminated, and the wife and child must follow the husband and father." (Dickens 432)Madame Defarge wants them dead and she believes that only they deserve to die like Charles Darnay is supposed to. Madame Defarge believes that people need to pay for what she thinks they have done wrong. Dickens proves how determined she is. “I have been in the streets from the first, nothing has stopped me, I will tear you to pieces, but I will have you from that door,” said Madame Defarge.” (Dickens 442) Madame Defarge was so determined to get to Lucie so she could kill her that she has not backed down even with Ms. Pross guarding the door but she is so violent that she is willing to harm her so bad just to get to Lucie. 

Through a revolution and experiences, Dickens explains violence and the impact that it has on someone. He proves that points that violence will impact someone, violence is shown through the rising number of people killed in the Revolution and the harshness of it and the want for revenge and superiority can lead to someone committing extremely violent acts or being a victim of a violent act. Violence is a negative and powerful thing that has many impacts on someone and their lives.