A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is a classic piece of social commentary and satire. Monseigneur is a French aristocrat who is known for the way he spends his unending money. Chapter seven as a whole explains his complete power in France due to his prosperity. The fourth paragraph of the chapter perfectly sums up the type of person the lord is. Chapter seven is full of irony, tone, and allusion that is used in an incisive manner to describe Monseigneur as an appalling man. “Monseigneur had one truly noble idea of general public business, which was, to let everything go on its own way”. (pg. 79) What is unique is the word “noble”, because it is used in a completely ironic and sarcastic manner. The irony is clear - a man who has his servants make him hot chocolate in the morning should not be described as noble. The tone inclines that Dickens is being sarcastic. Additionally, Dickens states, “Monseigneur had one truly noble idea that it must all go his way”. (pg. 79)
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He writes, “ The text of his order (altered from the original by only a pronoun, which is not much) ran: The earth and the fulness thereof are mine, saith Monseigneur.” (pg. 79-80) The irony here is that Dickens wrote that one pronoun is changed which isn’t a big deal. In fact, that pronoun is God, so truly it is a big deal. Monseigneur thinks the world is his and that he is godlike because he has money. This is a prime example of Dickens’ unique writing style. He alludes to the bible in a satirical way that replaces Monseigneur’s name in place of God, in an attempt to show the level at which Monseigneur thinks he is. Monseigneur believes that the world is his and remains convinced that the world was created for his pleasures. Alluding to this quote from the bible skillfully describes the lack of modesty that surrounds Monseigneur. This is yet another example of how Dickens expertly illustrates his
He writes, “ The text of his order (altered from the original by only a pronoun, which is not much) ran: The earth and the fulness thereof are mine, saith Monseigneur.” (pg. 79-80) The irony here is that Dickens wrote that one pronoun is changed which isn’t a big deal. In fact, that pronoun is God, so truly it is a big deal. Monseigneur thinks the world is his and that he is godlike because he has money. This is a prime example of Dickens’ unique writing style. He alludes to the bible in a satirical way that replaces Monseigneur’s name in place of God, in an attempt to show the level at which Monseigneur thinks he is. Monseigneur believes that the world is his and remains convinced that the world was created for his pleasures. Alluding to this quote from the bible skillfully describes the lack of modesty that surrounds Monseigneur. This is yet another example of how Dickens expertly illustrates his