A Tale of Two Cities is a historical novel by Charles Dickens that takes place in London and Paris during the French Revolution.
Charles Reading and Writing Workshop: Exploring Jane Eyre Through Primary Resources
General Instructions:
Begin by reading the work either in groups or as a class. If group reading, divide the work into sections and assign each group a section. As groups, they will read their section, write a summary of each chapter, and then each group reports on their chapters sequentially. As students read, they should complete the Novel Tracker. After reading and reporting on the entire novel, the workshop might consist of a single session or more. The goal is to engage participants in an exploration of life in an American religious colony through primary sources, and writing exercises that foster a deeper understanding of concepts such as English society, cultural norms, conflict, and resilience.
Objective:
This workshop aims to deepen participants' understanding of Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities by engaging with the novel and related primary resources. Through reading, discussion, and writing activities, participants will explore the novel's themes, historical context, and literary significance.
Session 1: The Historical Backdrop
Focus Lesson (10 minutes)
Focus Lesson (10 minutes)
Focus Lesson (10 minutes)
Implementation Tips
General Instructions:
Begin by reading the work either in groups or as a class. If group reading, divide the work into sections and assign each group a section. As groups, they will read their section, write a summary of each chapter, and then each group reports on their chapters sequentially. As students read, they should complete the Novel Tracker. After reading and reporting on the entire novel, the workshop might consist of a single session or more. The goal is to engage participants in an exploration of life in an American religious colony through primary sources, and writing exercises that foster a deeper understanding of concepts such as English society, cultural norms, conflict, and resilience.
Objective:
This workshop aims to deepen participants' understanding of Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities by engaging with the novel and related primary resources. Through reading, discussion, and writing activities, participants will explore the novel's themes, historical context, and literary significance.
Session 1: The Historical Backdrop
Focus Lesson (10 minutes)
- Introduce the historical and literary context of A Tale of Two Cities.
- Discuss Charles Dickens’ inspiration from Thomas Carlyle’s The French Revolution: A History.
- Analyze the novel’s opening passage (“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”) for its use of contrast and duality.
- Primary Resource: The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1301)
- Reading Workshop: Explore key historical texts that influenced Dickens.
- Primary Resources:
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rightsof.asp)
- Memoirs of the Sanson Family: Guillotine Executioners (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35521)
- Writing Workshop: Students write a short reflection on how Dickens translates historical events into fiction.
- Book club discussion on Dickens’ historical accuracy.
- Exit ticket: "What emotions does Dickens associate with the Revolution?"
Focus Lesson (10 minutes)
- Examine Dickens’ character portrayals, particularly Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay.
- Discuss first-hand accounts of life during the Revolution.
- Primary Resource: Memoirs of Madame Roland (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34805)
- Reading Workshop: Compare passages from A Tale of Two Cities with real-life memoirs.
- Writing Workshop: Create a journal entry from the perspective of a character in the novel.
- Prompts:
- Describe the storming of the Bastille from the point of view of a common Parisian.
- Rewrite the trial scene of Charles Darnay from the perspective of a bystander.
- Compare Sydney Carton’s sacrifice to historical real-life figures who died for a cause.
- Prompts:
- Exchange drafts and provide peer feedback.
- Share insights on how Dickens’ fictional characters reflect real historical figures.
Focus Lesson (10 minutes)
- Analyze the themes of justice, sacrifice, and mob mentality in A Tale of Two Cities.
- Discuss Dickens’ portrayal of the legal system and revolutionaries.
- Primary Resource: Recollections of the Revolution and Empire by General Baron de Marbot (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2401)
- Reading Workshop: Compare the novel’s court scenes with historical accounts of Revolutionary trials.
- Writing Workshop: Students write an argumentative essay:
- "Did Dickens present the French Revolution fairly? Why or why not?"
- Group discussion: Is Sydney Carton a hero or a tragic figure?
- Exit ticket: "How does Dickens use history to comment on contemporary issues?"
Implementation Tips
- Use public domain memoirs, real-life stories, and poetry for deeper engagement.
- Foster discussion on how history influences literature and vice versa.
- Encourage students to explore multiple perspectives—royalists, revolutionaries, common citizens.
- Have students create a multimedia project comparing primary resources with scenes from A Tale of Two Cities.