Charles Dickens becomes progressively lazy with his chapter titles. In the beginning of the book, chapter titles, such as "The Preparation" and "A Disappointment," gave the reader insight as to Dickens' opinions on the subject at hand. Through the course of Book the Second, his chapter titles have come to be obvious; titles such as "One Night," "Nine Days," and "Two Promises" are clearly explained through the chapter and give no view on Dickens thoughts.
"A Fellow of Delicacy" and "A Fellow of No Delicacy" seem like ironic titles for chapters twelve and thirteen in A Tale of Two Cities, but really are not. Mr Stryver is a stubborn, stuck-up character while Carton is more fragile and delicate. So while these titles seem ironic, they really tell the reader about the past of these two characters. Stryver has lead a life where people were careful around him. They were particular in making sure that he would not be broken. Carton however, has lived a life where people were upfront with him. They did not care if he was hurt, of if his heart was broken. "It was Stryver's grand peculiarity that he always seemed too big for any place, or space"(148). "I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul"(157). This first quote shows that Stryver has never been rejected for anything in his life. He is completely confident because people in his past were delicate with him. This second quote are words that Carton says. The word last is extremely important here because it shows he had other dreams in his past, but they were crushed. The world has been delicate with Mr Stryver but not with Sydney Carton.
(Sarah Cobble) Charles Dickens uses ironic chapter titles to emphasize certain characteristics on the main character of the chapter. In the 12th chapter, "Fellow of Delicacy." This chapter descripes Stryver as delicate because he asks Mr. Lorry about proposing to Lucie. This is ironic because "delicacy" is not a characteristic often used to describe Stryver. In the 13th chapter, "The Fellow of No Delicacy," describes Mr. Carton to have no delicacy. This is ironic because readers often refer to Carton as delicate and Stryver as non delicate. These chapters show the reader new characteristics of these characters. In the 14th chapter, "The Honest Tradesman," is Cruncher. This is ironic because Cruncher is anything but honest. He lies about his trade. He says he is fishing, but does not tell the whole truth (fishing for bodies). His trade is also inhonest immoral in itself. In this way, Dickens uses irony to make the reader think of certain characteristics for each character.
Charles Dickens becomes progressively lazy with his chapter titles. In the beginning of the book, chapter titles, such as "The Preparation" and "A Disappointment," gave the reader insight as to Dickens' opinions on the subject at hand. Through the course of Book the Second, his chapter titles have come to be obvious; titles such as "One Night," "Nine Days," and "Two Promises" are clearly explained through the chapter and give no view on Dickens thoughts.
ReplyDelete"A Fellow of Delicacy" and "A Fellow of No Delicacy" seem like ironic titles for chapters twelve and thirteen in A Tale of Two Cities, but really are not. Mr Stryver is a stubborn, stuck-up character while Carton is more fragile and delicate. So while these titles seem ironic, they really tell the reader about the past of these two characters. Stryver has lead a life where people were careful around him. They were particular in making sure that he would not be broken. Carton however, has lived a life where people were upfront with him. They did not care if he was hurt, of if his heart was broken. "It was Stryver's grand peculiarity that he always seemed too big for any place, or space"(148). "I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul"(157). This first quote shows that Stryver has never been rejected for anything in his life. He is completely confident because people in his past were delicate with him. This second quote are words that Carton says. The word last is extremely important here because it shows he had other dreams in his past, but they were crushed. The world has been delicate with Mr Stryver but not with Sydney Carton.
ReplyDelete(Sarah Cobble)
ReplyDeleteCharles Dickens uses ironic chapter titles to emphasize certain characteristics on the main character of the chapter. In the 12th chapter, "Fellow of Delicacy." This chapter descripes Stryver as delicate because he asks Mr. Lorry about proposing to Lucie. This is ironic because "delicacy" is not a characteristic often used to describe Stryver. In the 13th chapter, "The Fellow of No Delicacy," describes Mr. Carton to have no delicacy. This is ironic because readers often refer to Carton as delicate and Stryver as non delicate. These chapters show the reader new characteristics of these characters. In the 14th chapter, "The Honest Tradesman," is Cruncher. This is ironic because Cruncher is anything but honest. He lies about his trade. He says he is fishing, but does not tell the whole truth (fishing for bodies). His trade is also inhonest immoral in itself. In this way, Dickens uses irony to make the reader think of certain characteristics for each character.