The French Revolution of 1789 to 1799 was a period of uprising 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 perfectly captures the angst and changing times of these places during this unforgettable period. Dickens did extensive research on the events that occurred to create perfect scenes that stick in the reader's mind even after the novel is finished. Dickens masterfully uses the literary element of imagery throughout the novel to reinforce his theme of man's inhumanity towards his fellow man and to initially create a feeling of sympathy towards the peasants with a feeling of hatred towards the nobles, then he creates and maintains a deep love and respect for the main characters of Lucie Manette, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, and finally Dickens influences the reader's opinion by creating a new feeling 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 of France before the Revolution and gives the reader a glimpse of the harsh and desperate lives of the peasants and the extraordinarily opposite lives of the cruel and merciless nobles. This is first depicted through a scene where a wine barrel falls and is broken in the streets of one of the most sought after towns, St Antoine. The peasants and all those around “suspended their business or idleness to run about and drink the wine” (Dickens 20). The ordinary people of this city are so distressed that they rush and happily drink every drop of wine on the dirty streets. Even if the peasants barely manage to obtain wine, it still...... middle of paper ...... confirms what the reader thinks: that these people do not deserve to die. The frightening images of the nobles at the beginning, then the horrific images of the peasants' tour, contrasted with the loving and caring images of the Darnays and their family, skillfully shape and reshape the readers' views and opinions throughout the novel, while engaging Dickens's story of man. inhumanity. Carton's final thoughts, which provide a glimpse of the future, are the final, powerful images Dickens leaves with the reader. These images prove what everyone has known all along and are so effective because they remind the reader of important truths in their own life. These truths are that justice is more powerful than vengeance, that sacrifice will never be forgotten, and that love will always prevail. Works Cited Dickens, Charles. A tale of two cities. Np: Dover, 1999. Print.