Style

A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities: Style 1 key example

Style
Explanation and Analysis:

Dickens’s novels all share elements of his distinctive style. A Dickens novel is typically long, with an intricate plot and a large cast of idiosyncratic characters. His stories often involve secret identities, mysterious hidden backstories, and unlikely coincidences. In a letter to writer Wilkie Collins, Dickens expressed his belief that a novel’s plot should mimic the machinations of divine Providence, which may explain why his works sometimes feel contrived or over-determined.