Class conflict and inequality from "summary" of A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens, Charles
In the streets of London and Paris, the sharp divide between the aristocracy and the common folk is starkly evident. The rich live lives of luxury and extravagance while the poor struggle to survive day by day. This stark difference in wealth and status leads to deep-rooted class conflict and inequality that permeates every aspect of society. The aristocrats, represented by characters like the cruel Marquis Evrémonde, show a complete disregard for the suffering of the lower classes. They live in opulent mansions, dine on lavish feasts, and enjoy every luxury imaginable, all while the common people starve and suffer. This blatant inequality breeds resentment and anger among the lower classes who are oppressed and downtrodden. On the other hand, the common people, such as the Defarges and the other revolutionaries, are driven to desperation by their poverty and suffering. They live in squalor, work long hours for meager wages, and are subject to the whims of the aristocracy. This sense of injustice and deprivation fuels their desire for change and revolution. The simmering tension between the classes eventually boils over into full-blown conflict as the French Revolution unfolds. The oppressed rise up against their oppressors, seeking to overthrow the existing social order and create a more just society. The revolutionaries storm the Bastille and take to the streets, seeking to bring about a new era of equality and freedom. However, even in the midst of the revolution, the specter of inequality and class conflict looms large. The Reign of Terror sees the revolutionaries become oppressors themselves, resorting to violence and bloodshed in the name of their cause. The cycle of oppression and rebellion continues, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of class conflict and inequality in society. As the novel unfolds, Dickens portrays the devastating consequences of class conflict and inequality, showing how it can tear societies apart and lead to untold suffering. The stark divide between the rich and the poor, the aristocrats and the common people, serves as a powerful commentary on the injustices of the time and a warning for the future.
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