Meaningful Language

I felt that some meaningful language happened on page 229 in chapter 21 when the revolutionists, especially the Defarges, kill the governor. This scene, although gory and somewhat disgusting was actually, I believe, worded beautifully.

She stood immovable close to the grim old officer, and remained immovable close to him; remained immovable close to him through the streets, as Defarge and the rest bore him along; remained immovable close to him when he was got near his destination, and began to be struck at from behind; remained immovable close to him when the long-gathering rain of stabs and blows fell heavy; was so close to him when he dropped dead under it, that, suddenly animated, she put her foot upon his neck, and with her cruel knife - long ready - hewed off his head.


      This passage stood out to me as a beautiful passage in many ways. First, its length. The way that Dickens makes his sentences so long, flowing and able to keep the reader from pulling his head away, I think is amazing. This sentence really made me feel like I just read enough information if a chapter in only one sentence, which is why it was so meaningful and beautiful to read.

      Another reason why I thought this was so perfect is the way that repetition was used. "Stood immovable close" was used six times in one sentence and the way it was used after the semi-colon really just made the sentence worthwhile. I felt like every time I read that part it made me imaging how still everything kept on being which helped me understand why I liked this sentence so much.

     The word choice that Dickens uses, I believe is outstanding. Using hewed instead of a word like cut or  bore instead of cutting really made the sentence sound good. Also, when he used phrases such as suddenly animated, and, long ready, I really felt like those were good additions to sentences that helped with what point was trying to be told.

      Finally, the description that is used in this passage really helps with the detail and the beauty of the sentences potential. When Dickens talks about how the rest or the revolutionaries bored the governor along or when it is descriptive about how Madame Defarge cuts of the governors head shows great detail and helps make this sentence really a work of art.

To sum up, there are clearly many ways in which I felt this sentence really showed meaningful language.