Tale of Two Cities Character Change

Summer Reading Assignment
Honors

Characters change in many ways, whether they are conscious of it or not. In both a “Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens and “Nectar in a Sieve” by Kamala Markandaya characters can change when they have choices forced upon them. This essay will show how change is forced on characters in both books. To begin with, character change in “Nectar in a Sieve” is shown in different ways. One is shown when Ruku and Nathan are forced into situations they are not fond of. "Let us not sacrifice the future to our immediate need.’ ’What is the alternative?’ he shouted. ‘Do you think I am blind and do not see, or so stupid as to believe that crops are raised without seed? Do you take me for a fool that—‘ He was not shouting at me, but at the terrible choice forced upon us;” (52) This shows how Ruku is forced to side with Nathan due to the fact that there are no alternatives. She is against the idea as well, but there are no alternatives. Another example is when Ira got frustrated when Ruku got pregnant and Ruku had to deal with her. “As my pregnancy advanced she turned completely away from me. Sometimes I saw her looking at me with brooding, resentful eyes, and despite myself I could not help wondering if hatred lay behind her glance.” (75)This shows how some people can’t come to terms with things that they don’t want to face. In this instance, Ira was frustrated that Ruku was pregnant and she wasn’t, causing her to distance her from Ruku, and in the end Ruku lost a good friend and had to cope with it. All in all, this shows how forced change can change how characters are. Next, forced change in “A Tale of Two Cities” is also showed in different ways. It is shown in one example when Madame Defarge’s sister is raped, and a more cruel side of her is shown. “I care nothing for this Doctor, I. He may wear his head or lose it, for any interest I have in him; it is all one to me. But, the Evrémonde people are to be exterminated, and the wife and child must follow the husband and father.” (101) This shows how a rape forced Madam’s opinion of an entire family to plummet to the point in which they should all die, not just the rapist. This is a rash and abnormal thought. Secondly, character changes don’t have to be turned detrimental; some changes can be to bleakness and dejection. For example, it is shown when Lucie gives her life to the care and protection of her father. “"I am going to see his Ghost! It will be his Ghost--not him!" (142) Although she almost immediately gives herself to her father, her reaction of horror indicates her own suffering in this situation as well. Ultimately, forced change on characters can be either good or bad. This is shown in the form of two novels, “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens and “Nectar in a Sieve” by Kamala Markandaya. It is shown by the change in multiple characters in “A Tale of Two Cities” and as well as “Nectar in a Sieve”. All in all, forced change in strongly evident in both the novels stated in this essay.