Tale of Two Cities

English IV

Tale of Two Cities
Writing Propmts
PLOT
1. Charles Dickens opening paragraph to A Tale of Two Cities is arguably one of the most famous to ever be written. Nearly everybody in today’s world has some kind of set of morals whether it is because of religious beliefs or just how a person was raised. Morals and beliefs, these are the two main categories that I would put everything into from Charles Dickens’ opening words in A Tale of Two Cities. They show that, although the circumstances were very different and the quality of life was not the same in Revolutionary France, the very same wise words can be applied to today’s world. The words were just as true then as they are now. They show us how similar people of yesterday are to people of today. Times may have changed but the gap between the wealthy and people in poverty remain the same to this day, so that for some people it is "the best of times", and for others, it is "the worst of times." Especially in this economy, there are those struggling to make ends meet right alongside the wealthy who remains living as they always have.
CHARACTERIZATION
2. Madame Defarge makes an excellent symbol for the French Revolution because she represents the attitude of the French Peasants-turned-revolutionaries. Like the peasant's, she has suffered greatly at the hands of the aristocrats. Specifically the Evrémondes, to who Charles Darnay is related by blood, and Lucie by marriage. She has seen her family destroyed and lived in poverty. She wishes to live in a world of equality and fairness. Once she gains the power to actually shape her nation, however, she turns into a mad tyrant. No amount of reason can make her forgive, Charles even though it wasn’t him who actually killed her brother and sister it was his uncle and father.
THEME
2. The term noblesse oblige comes from the French language, and it means the obligation of honorable, generous, and responsible behavior associated with high rank or birth. This is ironic because in book 3 chapter 10 you find out that Dr. Manette wrote a letter about how he basically cursed Charles’ whole family because of the vicious acts of his father and uncle raping and murdering a little girl and her brother. Little did Dr. Manette know that 20+ years later his daughter would be married to a relative of the two men and that his letter would be the cause of his execution. Even though Charles has never done anything wrong and is a good man the fact that his whole family is to blame for the mistake of two men he will have to pay the price of their faults because he was born with their family name.
ADDITIONAL CHOICES
2. Anthony Andrews as Mr. Lorry. He would be excellent, I think, as the fidgety banker. The first description of Mr. Lorry fits him so well. After seeing Anthony in the 2010 movie The King’s Speech, I could picture no one else filling the role as Mr. Lorry as well as him.
Romola Garai as Lucie Manette. Lucie Manette falls under the “Dickens Heroine” category. I think that Romola could make Lucie sweet and yet still interesting. Plus she’s got the right looks with the fair skin and blonde hair and she’s really good with drama, which is so needed with this character. The story itself demands an actress who can handle discovering a lost father, falling in love, and having her husband condemned to death, and do the drama well.
Liam Neeson as Dr. Manette. I think he would be perfect for this role because he not only looks the part as the great doctor but the type of acting he does fit perfectly. He did a turn as another Frenchman when he played in the non-musical film version of Les Miserables in 1998 and I think he would be awesome in the role.
Orlando Bloom as Charles Darnay. When I was reading the book I was expecting Charles to be this handsome and charming man that any girl would find lucky to have. Then when we started watching the movie and I saw Charles he was not who I had pictured. Orlando Bloom would be perfect because he is dark and romantic at the same time. He also did an outstanding role in Pirates of the Caribbean which was cast in around the same time period so he already has some experience on how to act.
Ioan Gruffudd as Sydney Carton. Sydney most of all demands a great actor who can show the drunken clod and yet at the same time make him sympathetic and even a little bit charming. Someone who can show the incredible depth of love that he had for Lucie, and make the coldest hearted person weep through his dying words.
Maggie Smith as Miss Pross. Maggie’s completely perfect for the part of the vinegary servant with the heart of gold who took care of Lucie from her childhood. She looks like she would be the quiet respected maid who was more a part of the Manette family than a worker.
Alun Armstrong as Jerry Cruncher. I picked Alun simply because all I could picture reading the book when it came to the role of the messenger was him. He just has that look of someone who is run down from years of tedious work. Although Alun does play minor roles in movies such as Braveheart and The Mummy Returns, I think he proves he is more than capable of playing this part.
Colin Firth as Ernest Defarge. Colin did sublime work in The Kings Speech so he of course came to mind when trying to find someone for Ernest Defarge. He has that timeless look about him that make him perfect to play the owner of the wine shop. He is also is younger than Liam Neeson who I casted for Dr. Manette which works because Ernest Dafarge was the doctors servant when he was younger.
Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Defarge. She was one of the first people I picked for this part. Recently cast as the eccentric Miss Havisham in Great Expectations this actress is known for her quirky roles, and she has the intensity, the drama, and the ability to take Madame Defarge beyond the “villainess” role and show the true vengeance that she is feeling toward Charles for the death of her brother and sister.