does any one know whats the importance of the opening scene in "Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens

Answer 1

It sets up the theme of duality that carries on through the book.

Answer 2

This first chapter gives the reader the backdrop to the plot and provides a detailed description of the environment that the characters of the book live in. They move between the two cities throughout the novel, each has its own mystery and dangers.

There are two main themes in the novel, resurrection and revolution, the first being dealt with in the early chapters of the book. In fact, Book 1 is called ‘Recalled to Life’.

Already Dickens is dealing with duality contained in the first sentence ‘best and worst of times’. The reader will also come across ‘light and darkness’, ‘hope and despair’ and, of course, ‘good and evil’.

The monarchs at this time were George III and Louis XVI who were totally indifferent to the sufferings of their peoples. Out of the two, the French aristocrats were perhaps the more wasteful and decadent, which of course, would lead to the French Revolution. They seemed to take delight in flaunting their opulence in front of the common people.

In England, the monarch’s excesses were perhaps more tempered, and the fact that there had been a revolution in America may have forewarned the ruling classes about over-indulgent behavior. Also the people in England were more superstitious and less likely to be angered, simply accepting their lot in life.

=))

Answer 3

the girl, Lucia Minette, is being told of how her father is alive, she presumed him dead
then it goes to the streets of Paris where beggers eagerly lap up a broken keg of wine that fell on the street to the disgust of a revolutionist, Defarge. he goes bakc in the back to his posse of revolutionists who call themselves. Jaqcues. it goes to Lucias father who has gone mad while in prison

Answer 4

Haven't the slightest.

Answer 5

Are you watching the movie or reading the book or both? Please clarify.