Tale of Two Cites

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The Jackal

When reading The Tale of Two Cities, it is or can be difficult to understand when reading. There are times where it can be difficult to understand what a meaning is, especially in relation to the characters. Once learning on how to understand the language that the The Tale of Two Cities is written in makes the reading of the story a lot easier to understand. In book two of the novel in Chapter 5 "The Jackal", Charles Dickens discusses through animal references, the differences between two of the main characters. In "The Jackal", it is clear that drinking lead to the realization the power difference of Stryver and Carlton through animalistic descriptions.

It becomes clear in throughout the entire book that there is frequent drinking issues. When there is a ton of drinking that is done, it is done normally in a social environment. Carlton goes over to Stryver's apartment to discuss the day's court proceeding. Even though Carlton was passed out drunk at the tavern; he still went to drink with Stryver. Dickens normally underlaid the motifs of animals and people but in The Jackel it was more obvious Dickens was using the motifs.Since the two of them were drinking it becomes more apparent what "animals" they were according to Dickens.

Mr. Stryver is considered "the lion" in the story because he "hunts" down people, mostly Carlton, to do most of the work. The lions are the ones who look for their prey. Stryver is considered top of the "chain" just like a lion usually is in the wilderness. Since lions are "on top," means that Stryver is in a higher power compared to Carlton. Lions are also perceived to also be to be much lazier as well.Dickens was trying to say how Stryver was also better financially than Carlton. Once Stryver starts feeling the hit from the alcohol, he starts reminiscing on the past. The two of them have known each other since school. Stryver and Carlton met in school but does not mean they had the greatest friendship due to Stryver basically not doing any of his work but is doing better in life.

Carlton is perceived as "the jackal," otherwise the weaker/less dominant compared to Stryver. The Jackal is usually a considered a scavenger, but in the book it means Carlton does most of the investigating and reporting back to Stryver. Carlton has always been the one who does all or most of the work for Stryver even when they were in college. Once Stryver starts reminiscing on the past, Carlton starts to realize that he has been doing most of the work for Stryver since school. Carlton had an "eye opening" experience once they were remembering certain things about the past. Carlton did plenty of work for him and Stryver but gets the least amount of credit and is doing slightly worse in life.

Even though there can be difficulty understanding the chapter at first but once reading in depth entire novel is easier to read. Throughout the chapter, the main characters, are perceived, in a non-literal way, that the two main characters of the chapter are the Lion and Jackal. Once the two characters start to drink, their "animals" are most noticeable. The title of the chapter, "The Jackal," is one way that insinuates Carlton's realization of he does the most of Stryver's work and gets little to no credit. Carlton reports to Stryver, and Stryver takes all the credit. Dickens really brings up the animal-likeness in the characters once the two of them start drinking more of the alcohol. 

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