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Dickens
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DICKENS
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2014-10-30
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Question:
Does anyone have an opinion on how Dickens feels about the role of women in
ToTC?
Answer
From TeacherBC:
Dickens had many problems with women throughout his life. As a young man, he
met and fell in love with a girl from a well-to-do family. At this point in
his life, Dickens had yet to achieve any of the wealth he would later
acquire. Since he was poor, the girl's family thought little of Charles, did
not wish their daughter involved with him, and she rejected him.
It is believed that this incident prejudied Dickens' views towards women and
led him to his image of the ideal female character-- a woman who was young
and beautiful and submissive, being dominated by and yielding gracefully to
her male counterparts.
The character of Lucie Manette from A Tale of Two Cities is said to be
fashioned after a woman Dickens knew, a young, 18 year old actress he met
while performing with her in a play. His fascination with this young woman
is believed to have led to his split with his wife, although a relationship
with her did not occur until some time after he left his wife.
Lucie possesses many of the qualities Dickens seemed to admire in women.
Lucie provides her father with love and devotion, bringing him back to health
after he is freed from the Bastille. She maintains a calm, easy-going,
relaxing environment in their home.
In fact, it is in the home where Lucie most brilliantly shines. She displays
there the qualities of tranquility, faithfulness and motherhood. Even her
physical attributes suggest domestic happiness. She is beautiful, with
blonde hair --hair which serves as the "golden thread" that binds her father
to health and to sanity, and which weaves a fulfilling life for her and her
eventual husband, Charles Darnay.
Critics often view Lucie as a "cardboard creation" who lacks depth or
substance. Her attractiveness and devotion to her family make her somewhat
superficial. The character of Sydney, who loves Lucie, calls her a "little
golden doll."
Piss Pross, on the other hand, is not attractive; however, she does share
some of the qualities which Dickens admired. She is a "good" woman who is a
fiercely loyal servant. Her devotion to Lucie is perhaps her most dominant
characteristic.