Marxism in Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”

In their article “About the Human Condition in the Works of Dickens and Marx” Ami E. Stearns and Thomas J. Burns find many correlations between Marx’s work and Dickens writing. Dickens in many ways illustrates Marxist theories about human interaction. The time period in which Dickens wrote fits perfectly with Marxist approach. In terms of class warfare, and social revolution Dickens book “A Tale of Two Cities” fits perfectly into the mold of a Marxist argument. The entirety of the novel their is a battle between the upper class and the working class. The royalty cares not about the average person and the average person holds no love in their heart for the aristocracy. A perfect setting for social revolution.

The French Revolution is a perfect example of class warfare. It demonstrates quite clearly what Marx believed to be social issues and how they would eventually be solved. The characters in “A Tale of Two Cities” revolution is more of a massive blood thirsty rage. Rather than achieving a revolution through understanding they simply lash out at those who are suppressing them. Which ultimately generates no progress it only regresses social interaction. Something Dickens was warning England about. He wanted them to attempt to have a more gradual change to social structures before it was necessary and inevitable that the people would rise up against the power structure.

 

Ami E. Stearns and Thomas J. Burns, “About the Human Condition in the Works of Dickens and Marx” page 8 of 8 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 13.4 (2011):