A Tale of Two Cities Lesson Plan

Why do you think that Dickens wrote the Preface to the First Edition? What does it contribute to the novel and the reader's understanding of Dickens's purpose in writing it?

The Preface to the First Edition of the novel was written in 1859 by Dickens himself. In this Preface, Dickens explains the other work that inspired him to develop this story concept--The Frozen Deep, by Wilkie Collins. He then explains to the reader that, although inspired by Collins's work, A Tale of Two Cities is all his own. Finally, he assures the readers that, though some may doubt the accuracy of his portrayal of the "condition of the French people before or during the Revolution," it is...