The French Revolution from 1789 to 1799 was a time of revolt in France, followed by the decline of monarchies and the rise of democracy and nationalism. A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is set in the cities of Paris and London and impeccably captures the anguish and changing times of these places during this unforgettable time. Dickens thoroughly researched the events that occurred to create perfect scenes that remain imprinted on the reader even after the end of the novel. Dickens masterfully uses the literary element of images throughout the novel to reinforce the theme of man's inhumanity towards his fellow men and to first create a sense of sympathy towards the peasants with an underlined feeling of hatred towards the nobles, then he creates and sustains a deep love and respect for the main characters of Lucie Manette, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, and finally Dickens influences the reader's opinions by creating a new sense of hatred for the revolutionaries and a sympathy towards the nobles at the end of the novel. The first use of imagery sets the scene in France before the Revolution and gives the reader a glimpse into the harsh, desperate lives of peasants and the strikingly opposite lives of cruel and ruthless nobles. This is first depicted through a scene where a barrel of wine is dropped and broken in the streets of one of the neediest towns, St Antoine. The farmers and all those around “suspended their business, or their idleness, to run to the spot and drink the wine” (Dickens 20). The common people of this city are so distressed that they run and willingly drink every drop of wine coming from the dirty streets. Even though the farmers can barely get the wine, it still brings… middle of paper… confirms what the reader believes: that these people don't deserve to die. The frightening images of the nobles at the beginning and then the horrific images of the turning of the peasants, contrasted with the loving and caring images of the Darnays and family, skillfully shape and reshape the readers' views and opinions throughout the novel, whilst engaging Dickens' ideas about man. inhumanity. Carton's final thoughts, which offer a glimpse into the future, are the final and powerful images that Dickens leaves with the reader. These images demonstrate what everyone has known all along and are so effective because they remind the reader of important truths in their own lives. These truths are that justice is more powerful than revenge, sacrifice will never be forgotten, and love will always prevail. Works Cited Dickens, Charles. A tale of two cities. Np: Dover, 1999. Print.