A Tale of Two Cities By: Charles Dickens

Settting

The French Revolution Causes of the outbreak of the revolution Heavy taxes The luxury and extravagance of the aristocrats. The economic crisis of the rise of bread prices. Injustice. The philosophers' attack against despotism (tyranny, dictatorship) and their call for the rights and liberty. The discontent of the middle classes with the privileges of the aristocrats. American War of independence:

Storming the Bastille 14 th July 1789

Reign of Terror 1793: Reign of terror in full swing. Thousands of people were killed.

Charles Dickens Charles Dickens ( ) received little education as his father, a naval clerk, was transferred from one place to another and then sent to a debtors' prison. At the age of twelve, Charles went through the bitter experience of working in a boot- blacking factory. When he was fourteen, he became a boy clerk in a lawyer's office. He taught himself shorthand and became a reporter of political speeches. Then he wrote "Sketches By Boz" and "Pickwick Papers". Between 1844 and 1854, he travelled with his family in Italy, Switzerland and France. He wrote 15 complete novels in serial forms. In 1858 he made public readings for his novels. Exhausted, he died of a stroke and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Prepared by: Miss Dina Hosny