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Social Responsibility
A Tale of Two Cities

Define Social Responsibility:

Its important to examine Dickens view of social responsibility within A Tale of Two Cities. Read the provided
passages and determine why Dickens included it in his novel.
Passage #1: Chapter 7Monsieur in the Town
Annotation of Content:

Monseigneur was about to take his chocolate. Monseigneur

could swallow a great many things with ease, and was by some
few sullen minds supposed to be rather rapidly swallowing
France; but, his mornings chocolate could not so much as get
into the throat of Monseigneur without the aid of four strong
men besides the Cook.

I think Dickens wrote this passage because

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Passage #2: Chapter 1Five Years Later

Annotation of Content:

Any one of these partners would have disinherited his son

on the question of rebuilding Tellsons. In this respect the
House was much on a par with the Country; which did
very often disinherit its sons for suggesting improvements
in laws and customs that had long been highly
objectionable, but were only the more respectable.
I think Dickens wrote this passage because

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The great grindstone, Earth, had turned when Mr. Lorry

Passage #3: Chapter 2The Grindstone

Annotation of Content:

looked out again, and the sun was red on the courtyard.
But, the lesser grindstone stood alone there in the calm
morning air, with a red upon it that the sun had never
given, and would never take away.

I think Dickens wrote this passage because

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Passage #4: Chapter 4Calm in the Storm

Annotation of Content:

Above all, one hideous figure grew as familiar as if it had been

before the general gaze from the foundations of the worldthe
figure of the sharp female called La Guillotine.
It was the popular theme for jests; it was the best cure for
headache, it infallibly prevented the hair from turning grey, it
imparted a peculiar delicacy to the complexion, it was the
National Razor which shaved close: who kissed La Guillotine,
looked through the little window and sneezed into the sack. It
was the sign of the regeneration of the human race. It
superseded the Cross. Models of it were worn on breasts from
which the Cross was discarded, and it was bowed down to and
believed in where the Cross was denied.

I think Dickens wrote this passage because

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Passage #5: Chapter 5The Wood-Sawyer

Annotation of Content:
Ah! But its not my business. My work is my business.
See my saw! I call it my Little Guillotine. La, la, la; La, la,
la! And off his head comes!
The billet fell as he spoke, and he threw it into a basket.
I call myself the Sanson of the firewood guillotine. See
here again! Loo, loo, loo; Loo, loo, loo! And off her head
comes! Now, a child. Tickle, tickle; Pickle, pickle! And off

I think Dickens wrote this passage because

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My conclusions
Based on your findings, what are Dickens views on what it means to be socially responsible? Use details
from your findings to support your ideas.
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