STATION 1
Meet the Author: Charles Dickens
Directions: Watch each film clip about Dickens. Answer the questions that are included in your packet
for Station 1. After you have watched both clips, discuss the question below with your group.
The Life of Charles Dickens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unKuZ2wlNdw
Then, watch Charles Dickens’ London with Simon Callow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFAX6YkEN64
Discuss with your Group: Why does Simon Callow say at the end of the documentary, “It was Dickens’ London?
STATION 2
A Tale of Two Cities
Directions: A Tale of Two Cities is Dickens’ most famous novel. Elect someone in your group to read
the historical information about the book out loud. Answer the questions about the book in your
packet under Station 2 while the group member is reading. After you have read through all the
information, you may watch the trailer of A Tale of Two Cities.
A Tale of Two Cities Context:
A Tale of Two Cities was published serially (in small parts) in 1859. As a historical novel about the French Revolution, however, it takes us
back to 18th century London and Paris.
1757-1794: The Period Represented in the Novel
Though A Tale of Two Cities begins in 1770 with Doctor Manette’s release from the Bastille and ends in late 1793 or early 1794, the story
as a whole covers a much broader period. In the larger view, the novel begins in 1757 (the year of Doctor Manette’s incarceration under
the ancien régime and its final scene anticipates a post-revolutionary Paris. However, as a historical novel organized around the events of
the French Revolution (1789-1794), the major historical features of A Tale of Two Cities are drawn from the major events of the
revolutionary period in France – the fall of the Bastille (July 14, 1789), the September Massacres (September 2-6, 1792), and the Reign of
Terror (1793-1794).
From a historical point of view, A Tale of Two Cities gives a rather compressed account of the French Revolution; yet this is appropriate in a
novel concerned as much with the lives of private individuals as with public events. Dickens researched the revolutionary period carefully
in preparation for writing A Tale of Two Cities, and the novel maintains a high level of historical accuracy. Complete historical explanations
will be found in the notes that accompany each issue of this re-serialization.
1859: The Period of the Novel’s Publication
In 1859, when A Tale of Two Cities was first serialized, England was experiencing a period of social and political stability. It had long
enjoyed a stable monarchy, and it had become – partly through its leading role in the Industrial Revolution and through colonial expansion
– a prosperous nation and a major European power. France was comparatively tumultuous. After the French Revolution, Napoleon
Bonaparte had become emperor (in 1804) and started on his campaign to take over Europe. In 1814, the French monarchy was restored by
the forces allied against Napoleon (including England) and the Emperor was sent into exile; he returned, however, and regained power for
a brief period before his final defeat in 1815. France then had a king again, but monarchical rule was challenged by the revolutions of 1830
and 1848, the latter establishing the Second Republic. Louis Napoleon, a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, became president of the Second
Republic in 1848; in 1852, however, he declared himself emperor. The Second Republic then became the Second Empire.
Though relations were essentially peaceful between England and the Second Empire, the British tended to perceive a second Emperor
Napoleon as a possible threat, and the French were not endeared to the English by events of 1858: An assassination attempt on Louis
Napoleon and his Empress disclosed a plot organized by a group of French people living in England.
Our own country was on the verge of a major historical event in 1859. Having gained its independence in the period represented in A Tale
of Two Cities, America was about to embark, just after the novel’s publication, upon the Civil War (1860-65).
A Tale of Two Cities Summary
The story is set in the late 18th century against the background of the French Revolution. Although Dickens borrowed from Thomas
Carlyle's history, The French Revolution, for his sprawling tale of London and revolutionary Paris, the novel offers more drama than
accuracy. The scenes of large-scale mob violence are especially vivid, if superficial in historical understanding. The complex plot involves
Sydney Carton's sacrifice of his own life on behalf of his friends Charles Darnay and Lucie Manette. While political events drive the story,
Dickens takes a decidedly antipolitical tone. The book is perhaps best known for its opening lines, "It was the best of times, it was the
worst of times," and for Carton's last speech, in which he says of his replacing Darnay in a prison cell, "It is a far, far better thing that I do,
than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."
-- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature
French Revolution Overview
A watershed event in modern European history, the French Revolution began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of
Napoleon Bonaparte. During this period, French citizens ruined and redesigned their country’s political landscape, uprooting centuries-old
institutions such as absolute monarchy and the feudal system. Like the American Revolution before it, the French Revolution was
influenced by Enlightenment ideals, particularly the concepts of popular sovereignty (popular choice) and inalienable (undeniable) rights.
Although it failed to achieve all of its goals and at times turned into a chaotic bloodbath, the movement played a critical role in shaping
modern nations by showing the world the power inherent in the will of the people.
Now, watch the trailer for the film adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJXrkhnn3BQ
Discuss with your group: Based on what you know (or have learned about Dickens), what topics does he seem to
write about? Why do you think he was drawn to these topics?
STATION 3
Charles Dickens’ Childhood
Directions: Elect someone in your group to read the information about Dickens’ childhood out loud.
Everyone else in the group should work on answering the questions in your packet in the Station 3
section.
Introduction to Childhood
Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth. His parents were John and Elizabeth Dickens. Charles was the
second of their eight children.
John was a clerk in a payroll office of the navy. He and Elizabeth were an outgoing, social couple. They loved parties, dinners and
family functions. In fact, Elizabeth attended a ball on the night that she gave birth to Charles.
Finances were a constant concern for the family. The costs of entertaining along with the expenses of having a large family were
too much for John’s salary. In fact, when Charles was just four months old the family moved to a smaller home to cut expenses.
Mary Weller was an early influence on Charles. She was hired to care for the Dickens children. Her bedtime stories, stories she
swore were quite true, featured people like Captain Murderer who would make pies of out his wives.
“The young woman who brought me acquainted with Captain Murderer had a fiendish enjoyment of my terrors, and used to
begin, I remember – as a sort of introductory overture – by clawing the air with both hands, and uttering a long low hollow
groan. So acutely did I suffer from this ceremony in combination with this infernal Captain, that I sometimes used to plead I
thought I was hardly strong enough and old enough to hear the story again just yet.”
– The Uncommercial Traveller – Nurse’s Stories
From a very young age Charles dreamed of becoming a gentleman. He wanted an education. His parents did have some limited
funds put aside to send one of their children to a university or academy. Mr. and Mrs. John Dickens considered the talents and
qualifications of all their children. They wanted to use the money earmarked for education where it would do the most good. It
was as if they were placing all their bets on one child. Charles was not that child.
His parents chose to send their daughter, Fanny, to school. She had a talent for music and was sent to an academy.
Then came the darkest hours in the life of Charles Dickens. When he was 12 it looked like his dreams would
never come true. John Dickens was arrested and sent to jail for failure to pay a debt. At that time the family
sent Charles to work in a blacking or shoe-polish factory. (While employed there he met Bob Fagin. Charles
later used the name in Oliver Twist.) Charles was deeply marked by these experiences. He rarely spoke of this
time of his life.
Luckily the situation improved within a year. Charles was released from his duties at the factory and his father was released
from jail.
Now, read this article from Mail Online, which was published on November 13, 2014 about the sale of Dickens’ childhood home.
Pay particular attention to the photos that detail the area where Dickens grew up as a child. Answer the questions in your
packet.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2832868/Please-sir-flat-Childhood-home-Charles-Dickens-former-workhouse-said-inspired-Oliver-Twist-goes-sale-760000.html
Discuss with your group: How do you think the daily sights and scenes of Dickens’ childhood affected his future
writing? Think in particular about the workhouse, his father’s imprisonment, and the images you viewed in the article.
STATION 4
A Christmas Carol
Directions: Elect someone in your group to read the editorial review of A Christmas Carol. As this
person is reading, answer the questions in the “Station 4” section of your packet. Then read the
article called “A Christmas Carol: A Classic that Warms the Heart, Even as it Makes you Weep.”
Answer the questions that correspond with the article.
Summary of A Christmas Carol
During the Victorian era, stingy and cranky Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas, loses his partner Marley on Christmas Eve. For seven
years, he runs his business exploiting his employee Bob Cratchit, and spends a bitter treatment to his family and acquaintances. However,
that particular Christmas Eve he is visited by the doomed ghost of Marley who reveals that three spirits will visit him that night. The first
one, the spirit of past Christmas, recalls his miserable youth; the spirit of the present Christmas shows him the poor situation of Bob's
family; and the spirit of future Christmas shows his fate. The question is, can or is he willing to change?
A Christmas Carol Trailer
Watch the trailer for the 2005 Disney version of A Christmas Carol. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEyKKt9EfeI
Editorial Reviews of A Christmas Carol
Amazon.com Review
In the history of English literature, Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, which has been continuously in print since it was first published in
the winter of 1843, stands out as the quintessential Christmas story. Though countless editions of this classic have been published over the
years, this one stands out as particularly beautiful, nostalgic, and evocative of the spirit of Christmas.
From Publishers Weekly
Dickens's classic holiday tale, like many cultural touchstones, often falls into the trap of continual reinterpretation. First aired in 1990 but
only now available on CD, NPR's presentation serves to place the familiar story back in its historical context. The script being performed is
the same one Dickens used to use at readings. Comedy legend Winters, who serves as narrator while also performing all of the male roles,
juggles his duties seamlessly and demonstrates remarkable dramatic range. His portrayal of Scrooge before the ghostly visitations evokes
discernable pain and loss beyond the over-the-top antics of an ogre figure. Veteran actress Mimi Kennedy voices the female parts with
gusto. With its quality production, attractive price and one-hour length, this release offers the perfect gift and establishes a festive new
annual ritual for families to share. (Sept.)
Now, you will read the article, Why A Christmas Carol Still Matters and answer questions/ discuss the content
of the article as a group.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/dec/17/christmas-carol-charles-dickens-classic
Discuss with your group: Why do you think A Christmas Carol is an important book? Why do you think it has been
reimagined over and over again? Discuss with your group what makes for a great story. Then, describe what you are
looking forward to about A Christmas Carol.