How important is The Tale of Two Cities?

[Kfamily]

Hi!

I had always planned for my dds to read The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens as the most minimal requirement for high school literature. If we could squeeze in Great Expectations as well, well, that would be great(:D), but I thought that the former book would be read for certain. I had always planned on The Tale of Two Cities because this seemed to be the the choice book to represent the work of Dickens. My older dd has recently picked up David Copperfield (she has never really been interested in Dickens at all before now) and is really enjoying it. She still insists that she doesn't think she will enjoy The Tale of Two Cities or even Great Expectations. She has read only a brief summary of the former and has seen a movie of the latter.

How important is it for her to read either of these two books? I may be preparing her for an AP or SAT II test for the subject of literature if this makes a difference. Can I let this go or show I push this upon her? She has told me that she would like to read Little Dorrit next and, if pressed, might consider Oliver Twist. What do you think?

[*Lakshmi]

Some books I assign for silent reading, but some are of the sort I feel it's good to do a tandem read. Tale of Two Cities was one of these. I had a copy on my Kindle and DS had a copy from the library. We took turns reading aloud and finished the whole book in probably two weeks. Each day after our reading, we discussed the salient points of our reading as well as literary techniques and famous passages. The third week he wrote an essay and watched two different versions of the movie - so all total I believe our TOTC unit was 3 weeks long. It may have been 4 weeks, with 3 weeks for the readings - I can't recall for sure.

 

We'll be doing something similar with Great Expectations later this year. Whenever there is a book I think my children should read, but I worry about their ability to get through it and understand all the nuances, I will do it as either read aloud or a tandem read. Even in High School. In fact, my college age daughter (a junior in college - always homeschooled) still listens in on many of our read alouds.

[Harriet Vane]

I think there are three classic Dickens novels. One is his typical really thick comedy-drama. That's the kind everyone thinks of most when they consider Dickens. Those are the ones with the high drama, villainous villains, and various quirky characters.

 

Dickens was also famous for his Christmas novels, which were not so humorous, and usually carried a specific message about the poor. Most people are familiar with A Christmas Carol. Another good one to read is The Bells.

 

Finally, there is A Tale of Two Cities, which I consider to be Dickens' finest drama. It doesn't have as much humor as his others. The drama and the plot are more realistic. The lesson in the end is powerful. It's also one of his most famous and most quoted. I probably consider it essential for a student considering tests like the AP or others.

 

In a perfect world, a student should read one of each type.

[J-rap]

I'd encourage her to read Tale of Two Cities, even just on her own time -- as someone else suggested. However, I don't think Great Expectations would be on my list of top Dickens reads. If she's more interested in Little Dorrit, for example, I think she could read that one instead. There is an EXCELLENT Little Dorrit BBC series, btw.

 

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Masterpiece_Classic_Little_Dorrit/70115059?trkid=2361637

[Lori D.]

How important is Tale of Two Cities?... older dd has recently picked up David Copperfield (she has never really been interested in Dickens at all before now) and is really enjoying it. She still insists that she doesn't think she will enjoy The Tale of Two Cities or even Great Expectations... How important is it for her to read either of these two books? I may be preparing her for an AP or SAT II test for the subject of literature if this makes a difference.

 

 

To address your AP/SAT II concerns for exposure and preparation for Literature, I would say that the MOST often read Dickens in high school are, in this order:

 

1. Great Expectations

2. Tale of Two Cities

3. David Copperfield

4. A Christmas Carol (frequently done in middle school)

 

I would suggest at least watching a good film or TV adaptation of each to be familiar with the characters, storyline and main themes.

 

 

As far as which is the most important Dickens work to read... That will vary from person to person. This recent thread was a poll, BUT, had some really good comments in the thread portion about most of the Dickens works you were asking about, which may help decide about which works to do or not to do.

 

In general, Great Expectations (GE) is most often done by high school students due to relative ease of reading, length, and accessibility of themes; it is not a cheery one, though. David Copperfield (DC) is one of the best for Dickens' wonderful characters and most representative of not only his overall body of work, but of his own life. Tale of Two Cities (To2C) is often considered to be the least representative of his most famous works, as it is the most serious and most historically based -- BUT, along with the two previous works, is one of the most alluded to works, probably has more lines quoted from it than the other two, is well-written, and it has very powerful themes. While you could probably hand a student either GE or DC to do on their own, To2C is a bit rough going for the first 3-4 chapters, so you would want to walk alongside in doing that one, at least for the first part of the book.

 

FWIW, DSs and I did To2C last year aloud all together and REALLY enjoyed it -- a little rough at the beginning to get into it, but they really liked it. We also really enjoyed the lovely language in Christmas Carol (done back in middle school). I personally was very aggravated by the "defeatist" mindset at the end of EG when I read it in my 20s (maybe now I would see it differently) but as a result, did not make DSs do EG. They really enjoyed watching the 2000 Masterpiece Theater version of DC and *still* quote lines from it; we have not read DC.

 

 

Can I let this go or show I push this upon her? She has told me that she would like to read Little Dorrit next and, if pressed, might consider Oliver Twist. What do you think?

 

 

Just my opinion, but I figure as long as we read/analyze/discuss/write about at least ONE major work by each of a number of major authors (such as Dickens), then anything more DSs want to read on their own by those authors is gravy. :)

 

Here's an idea, for what it's worth: so, as long as you DO something with David Copperfield (analyze/discuss/write about), if DD wants to read Little Dorrit and Oliver Twist on her own... go for it! And if you have time in your schedule later on or in another year, and really feel Great Expectations and/or Tale of Two Cities are on the top of the "must read" Literature list, you can always do them then.

 

 

Enjoy your Literature journey! BEST of luck as you decide! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited February 11, 2012 by Lori D.

[Kendall]

I didn't think I would like A Tale of Two Cities but I did. My 9th grade son who isn't too excited about school liked it enough to listen to an audio version on his own after the required She might be pleasantly surprised. Or maybe not:).

[Julie in MN]

I have a college degree and I've never read Tale of Two Cities. I''ve never even watched the movie, that I recall. I think she'll be okay.

 

My understanding of Dickens came from watching the musical Oliver at the theater and swooning over Mark Lester singing Whe-e-e-e-ere Is Loooove (as he thinks of his mother). A little history of the times would've helped Dickens stand out in my mind as an author with a concern for the poor during a particular time :)

 

I would, though, read the first sentence of Tale of Two Cities. Classic sentence :)

 

Julie, who's planning to read it with my son this year

[Candid]

I don't think it is essential. I used to hear that some Dicken's scholars didn't even think much of Tale of Two Cities. I don't hear that so much any more, but I travel in different tracks now.

[BakersDozen]

Having just finished the book with my 15yod I would rate the importance of reading it as a 10 on a scale of 1-10. There was not a single chapter that didn't lead to dynamic discussion and the lessons on life, character, politics and human nature were invaluable for my dd, imo.

[Kfamily]

Thank you all so much for giving many thoughts and suggestions!

I think I could read A Christmas Carol next year during the month of December. I'll read it to them...

I'll offer to read A Tale of Two Cities with her...this will work because we often still do this...especially with books she is SURE she will not like!:D

(I'm reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin with her now.)

Generally, she does most of the reading aloud but I read when she gets tired. We talk about the reading as we need.

Lori, thanks so much! I have not been discussing David Copperfield with her. (It was one of those books she picked off our shelf and just started reading). DC is one that I've not read. Do you think I should read it now and discuss this more with her? Don't you love how teenagers change your plans for them?:001_smile:

Edited February 11, 2012 by Kfamily

[Acadie]

David Copperfield was Dickens' favorite work, and considered most autobiographical (in a hopeful way) about his young life. I'm reading it now, and it's phenomenal. Plus, it's waaaay longer than Tale of Two Cities!

 

I think Great Expectations is also considered quite autobiographical, but much darker.

 

Maybe after reading DC, there will be more interest in either TTC or GE? Or maybe a movie would suffice for one or both?

 

Honestly, I'd choose DC above everything else for high school study based on the quality of the work and overall tone. For preparing for exams, how about movies or Cliff Notes if actual reading time isn't on the schedule? And there's no doubt that characters from DC have entered both exams and cultural life--Peggotty, Uriah Heep, Mr. Micawber.

 

I think your kid has most excellent literary taste :)

 

Amy

[Lori D.]

Don't you love how teenagers change your plans for them?:001_smile:

 

 

LOL! So true!

 

 

I think I could read A Christmas Carol next year during the month of December. I'll read it to them...

 

And be sure to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol afterwards -- they really used a lot of lines straight out of Dickens, which is wonderful to hear! Plus, you can compare -- a bit of a parody/silly retelling with the real work. Also, an interesting self-reflexive theme of Gonzo as the narrator as the author Charles Dickens. :)

 

 

 

I have not been discussing David Copperfield with her... Do you think I should read it now and discuss this more with her?

 

 

Sounds like that would be fun! :) Enjoy your Dickens adventures! Warmest regards, Lori D.