An Analysis of the Subaltern Narrative in A Tale of Two Cities

Abstract

Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and tells the story of the urban commoners represented by Dr. Manette and Charles Darnay, as well as the plight of the poor embodied by the Defarges. Compared to the corrupt rulers and aristocratic powers, both groups occupy the position of the "subaltern." From the perspective of the "subaltern," and with the aid of theories such as Edward Soja's "Third Space" and Seymour Chatman's "Narrative Voice," we can observe Dickens's depiction of the living conditions and spaces occupied by the commoners. This perspective reveals the narrative structure and viewpoint Dickens employs when writing about their fates, as well as the narrative voice he uses to portray the behaviors of different "subaltern" groups.