Questions on Dickens' Novel

Dickens starts the novel with a series of seeming contradictions, e.g. “it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” How do you think the time can be both?

• The time was characterized by both great knowledge and great ignorance.

• The time was only wise, not foolish.

• The time was neither wise nor foolish.

• The time was characterized by foolishness only.

In the passage the author states “the period was so far like the present period.” He sees the time of the opening of the book (1775) is the same as his own time (1859). Using the best/worst descriptions in the first paragraph, state a similarity you see between 1775 and today.

• Both periods experienced significant political unrest.

• Both periods were marked by technological advancements.

• Both periods saw a rise in global trade.

• Both periods were characterized by economic prosperity.

Dickens refers to the “lords of the State preserves” who believe that “things in general were settled for ever.” Who do you think these lords are, and what things are settled?

• The aristocracy; the social hierarchy and class system

• The clergy; religious doctrines and practices

• The merchants; trade regulations and economic policies

• The military; national security and defense strategies

Dickens starts the novel with a series of seeming contradictions, e.g. “it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” How do you think the time can be both?

• The time was characterized by both great advancements and significant ignorance.

• The era was marked by a lack of any significant events.

• It was a time of complete foolishness with no wisdom at all.

• The period was solely an age of wisdom without any foolishness.

In the passage the author states “the period was so far like the present period.” He sees the time of the opening of the book (1775) is the same as his own time (1859). Using the best/worst descriptions in the first paragraph, state a similarity you see between 1775 and today.

• Both periods experienced significant social and political upheaval.

• Both periods were marked by technological stagnation.

• Both periods were characterized by economic prosperity.

• Both periods had a strong focus on environmental conservation.

Dickens refers to the “lords of the State preserves” who believe that “things in general were settled for ever.” Who do you think these lords are, and what things are settled?

• The aristocracy; the social hierarchy and class system

• The clergy; religious doctrines and practices

• The merchants; trade regulations and economic policies

• The military; national security and defense strategies