preview

Use of Repetition in "A Tale of Two Cities"

Good Essays

Repetition is one of the linguistic devices of which Charles Dickens is very fond, and the novelist makes things easy for his readers by his constant repetitions, and his habitual phrases are remembered by readers who are not used to reading with close attention. Dickens’s stylistic use of repetition reaches its climax in A Tale of Two Cities (1859). Therefore, it is fruitful to deal with the language of Dickens, especially that of A Tale of Two Cities, from the point of view of repetition in order to explore his linguistic artistry with which the novelist, inheriting the language of the 18th century, improved upon the style of English prose. In fact, Dickens exploits various types of repetition, that is, repetition of sounds, morphemes, …show more content…

As everything turned upon her, and revolved about her, they went out under the plane-tree, and she carried the wine down for the special benefit of Mr. Lorry. She had installed herself, some time before, as Mr. Lorry’s cup-bearer; and while they sat under the plane-tree, talking, she kept his glass replenished. Mysterious backs and ends of houses peeped at them as they talked, and the plane-tree whispered to them in its own way above their heads. (Bk. II, Ch. 6)

In the context of the passage above, Dr. Manette, Lucie, Mr. Lorry, and Miss Pross are in the courtyard after dinner. The repeated use of “plane-tree” and “pleasant” in close proximity serves to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere of domestic peace. At the same time, however, I find the repetition of the word “wine.” As already mentioned, “wine” in the English scenes is associated with a serious development in the plot. Through the co-occurrence of “plane-tree” with “wine” we can sense an impending misfortune to threaten Lucie’s happy family life, even though the “plane-tree” itself carries a good connotation. In fact, in the scene which follows the passage above, all the characters who gather under the “plane-tree” hear the footsteps of the people in the street caught in the sudden storm, which seems to be indicative of the outbreak of the French

Get Access