A Tale of Two Cities
PreReading Assignment
Before we read A Tale of Two Cities, we need to familiarize ourselves with certain ways of living and
certain events taking place that influenced Charles Dickens into writing this work.
Part 1
 Respond to all of the following prompts. You may work in groups to gather all of this information.
 You are encouraged to use Mr.Allen’s webpage for research links.(Tale of Two Cities)
 Be certain to label each prompt properly.
Revolutionaries
 What is a revolutionary? What is the origin of this word and when?
 What does it take to be a “revolutionary” (the person who starts and leads a revolution)? Defend
your answer with examples from the French Revolution (1789-1799) and the American
Revolution.
 Why do revolutions start? How do you declare a revolution? Defend your answer with examples
from the French Revolution (1789-1799) and the American Revolution. Read their Declarations
and sum them up.
Potentates
 What is a potentate? What is the origin of this word and when?
 What is life like as a potentate? Use the 1650s-1780s France (The Kings Louis (XIV,XV, XVI))
 With whom do you surround yourself and why?
 How do you rule a society that wants to remove you / revolt against you? Trials and punishments?
A “Reign of Terror,” perhaps? Or simply say, “Let them eat cake.”? Use examples from the
French Revolution (1789-1799) and the American Revolution
Dignitaries
 What is a dignitary? What is the origin of this word and when?
 What do you need to have in order to be a dignitary? Make a list.
 How do you keep yourself dignified in a society run amuck—say, during a revolution? You will
probably need to use your own creativity—use it wisely (and realistically).
Bourgeoisie
 What is the bourgeoisie? What is the origin of this word and when?
 What do you need to have in order to be bourgeoisie? Make a list.
 How do you protect your bourgeois status when everyone wants what you have (the government,
the poor, family members, “friends,” etc.)? Use your creativity realistically like you did for
Dignitaries.
Proletariat
 What is a proletariat? What is the origin of this word and when?
 How do you get what you need to live? Make a list of ideas (consider all of the resources in front
of you including in this assignment).
 What do you do if the government, if no one, will help you keep and/or improve your life? What
do you do if your own government, your own neighbors, don’t notice, or refuse to notice, that you
and thousands like you, are starving to death or dying from simple illnesses or exposure to the
weather?
Part 2 on the back
A Tale of Two Cities
PreReading Assignment
Part 2
1. Pick one of the prompts from Part 1 and put yourself in that life
2. Write a letter to distant but close relative about your life
3. Ask for advice about how to maintain and improve your life in light of all of the unrest in your
city (which feels like it’s leading to a revolution)
4. This letter should take at least one page, single-spaced
5. Make certain your real name is on this letter somewhere to receive credit
6. Swap letters with someone
a. Become the distant but close relative
b. Comment on some of the things the writer brought up about his/her life
c. Give the advice asked for and why you’re giving that advice (defend your advice)
d. Close the letter (remember how close you are)
e. This letter should take about one page single-spaced (talk about your life, too, if you need
some “filler”)
f. Make certain your real name is on this letter somewhere to receive credit
7. Staple your letter to the original letter
 Pass in the letters and the information as one packet—letters on top, please.
 You will be given a clip to put all of this together—this will be done in class in a relaxed fashion.
 Make certain your names are all over everything you hand in so you receive credit.
A Tale of Two Cities
PreReading Assignment
Before we read A Tale of Two Cities, we need to familiarize ourselves with certain ways of living and
certain events taking place that influenced Charles Dickens into writing this work.
Part 1
 Respond to all of the following prompts. You may work in groups to gather all of this information.
 You are encouraged to use Mr. Allen’s webpage for research links.(Tale of Two Cities)
 Be certain to label each prompt properly.
Revolutionaries
 What is a revolutionary? What is the origin of this word and when?
 Explain how the financial crisis in 1780s France did it affected the people of France?
 Research: Why did the people of France revolt against the government? Use the link on Mr.
Allen’s website (3 Main Reasons)
Potentates
 What is a potentate? What is the origin of this word and when?
 Who was King Louis XV? How did he spend money?
 Who was King Louis XVI? Who was Marie-Antoinette?
 Look at Mr.Allen’s webpage, look at the links about life in the royal court (under the heading
Potentates). Sum up some of the things the King and Queen and their people enjoyed.
 Evaluate: What do you think about the royalty spending large sums of money on parties, on
chocolate, elaborate clothing, etc.?
Dignitaries
 What is a dignitary? What is the origin of this word and when?
 Infer: What do you think you need to own and “show off” so that others see you belong to this
class?
Bourgeoisie
 What is the bourgeoisie? What is the origin of this word and when?
 Infer: What do you think you need to own and “show off” so that others see you belong to this
class?
Proletariat
 What is a proletariat? What is the origin of this word and when?
 Infer: What do think a day in the life of someone in this social class looks like?
 Create: How can a government help people move up from this class?