Experience the thrill and the drama of the Reign of Terror in one of the most popular novels of all time. Students will follow the incomparable Charles Dickens into the complex and violent history of the French Revolution. 

Instructor Access (Optional grading support) is available for this course. Please note: this is ONLY recommended if you wish to write the optional paper. All quizzes are internally graded in this course. Optional papers will be completed via this page (click here) for an Instructor Access fee of $75.

How to get the most out of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (1859) (Victorian Classics) with Eleanor Bourg Nicholson:

• First, read the course materials below before viewing the first class meeting.

• Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes during each recording.

• Read assignments before viewing each class.

• Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

• Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Special notes: Optional writing component available.

Total classes: 6

Duration per class: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: Reading Book the First (Chapters 1-8) before viewing the first class.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested High School Credit: ½ semester Victorian Literature or English

Instructor: Eleanor Bourg Nicholson

Course Description: Come and experience the thrill and the drama of the Reign of Terror in one of the most popular novels of all time. Follow the incomparable Charles Dickens as he delves into the complex and violent history of the French Revolution. We will explore the author’s passionate concern for the downtrodden poor, his disgust with the self-indulgent aristocracy, and his horror at the violence of the mob. We will interpret and study Dickens’ fascinating range of characters, and, through them, study the author’s deep articulation of humanity, violence, and salvation. In addition to cultivating artistic appreciation and a love of reading, this class facilitates the development of critical reasoning, the disciplined use of the imagination, and a strong knowledge of historical and literary context.

Course Outline:

• Class one: Book the First, Chapters 1-6.

• Class two: Book the Second, Chapters 1-8.

• Class three: Book the Second, Chapters 9-16.

• Class four: Book the Second, Chapters 17-24.

• Class five: Book the Third, Chapters 1-8.

• Class six: Book the Third, Chapters 9-15.

Optional Literary Essay Deadlines (Requiring Instructor Access):

• Week 1: Commit to paper topic

• Week 2: Brainstorming document turned in

• Week 3: First Draft turned in

• Week 4: Second Draft turned in

• Week 5: Third Draft turned in

• Week 6: Final Draft turned in

Course Materials: Recommended edition, A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens (Ignatius Critical Edition), ISBN 978-1586174422. The novel is also available for free online via Project Gutenberg.

Homework: Approximately three hours of reading per week, one identification quiz per week, review quizzes every few weeks, and miscellaneous small assignments. A literary-critical writing project opportunity is available for extra credit.

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2024 Homeschool Connections and Eleanor Bourg Nicholson.   All rights reserved. This course is designed by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.