A Diverse Arrangement
In exploring London, I found that there were a large variety of buildings and architecture styles. There are gothic churches, Victorian arcades, and hypermodern skyscrapers. The buildings date from the 17th century to today and yet each one adds to a unified expression: Britishness. The careful detailing of each doorway and rooftop is something to be marveled at. The city seems to tell a story and Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities fits right into it. “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” These famous words can be applied to any era yet they particularly fit the three settings we are presented with. By looking at London in three stages, the story unfolds.
A main theme of the story is Britishness and how it has developed into the modern age. Dickens describes his interpretation of Britishness through his first few chapters and characters like Ms. Pross. It is surrounded by an air of old-fashionedness, poshness, exclusivity, and arrogance. I felt that this was heavily displayed by all of the ornate and fancy architecture in London.
Georgian Age - Setting of the Novel - 1775 to 1793
We explored first the main gothic architectures that remained in London. Stained glass, pointed arches, and flying butresses were featured in buildings like Westminster Abbey. The lengthy amount of time that it took to build this church and its prestigious style that almost demand you stare at it in awe were of a very British Nature. This style of architecture came from before the time period, but was still something revered in Britain. This is apparent since the abbey had been rebuilt many times since its construction in 1267 and maintained the style.
St. Pauls Cathedral was an example of more baroque structure that still was quite beautiful and grand.
If we look at the history of the times in which this architecture was built, it is primarily represented by the monarchy and feudalistic society. The money for these detailed structures came from the wealthiest on the feudalistic stack and often those at the bottom were exploited for their work. The Legend of Robin Hood was of this time because it was considered very valuable to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Yet things must have been well enough, because there was no revolt during this time. The first instance of “revolution” in Britain came with Charles I who was then excecuted and the power shifted to the parliament. Continuing on the revolts were subdued as the power did not lie with the monarchy.
Victorian Age - Dickens Setting - 1837 to 1901 (1859)
From the 18th century to the later parts of the 19th century, Gothic architecture was still high in demand. This period was known as Gothic revival since the time period had passed yet the style was maintained. This exemplifies the old-fashionedness and desire for the more expensive, intricate things that makes up the British culture. The Tower Bridge and Royal Courts of Justice were great examples of how the British wanted to mimic the old style rather than move into a modern age.
The newer style that emerged within this era was the Victorian style. I is exemplified by the iron railings, ornate gables, and use of different shapes. This style is still rather extravagant and it was featured in several of the arcades we walked through. Several parts of London still have the Victorian age buildings which mesh well with the city.
The beginning of this era was marked by the industrial revolution which allowed things to be developed much quicker in factories. I found the newer Victorian architecture to be not quite as intricate or time-intensive as the Gothic while still maintaining a sense of grandeur.
Modern Age - Our Current Setting - 2022
Modern architecture in London was just so unique. I’ve been to many big cities and seen my fair share of skyscrapers but each modern building in London was unlike anything I’d seen before. That is the point. It is how they continue the Britishness into the modern age. We find the buildings to be so spectacular even if it’s in an odd way that they do entrap our attention. They cannot be normal tall buildings, but rather should be artistic, different, refined, and therefore British. And even so, there are definitely those that reject the new age and prefer the old-fashioned Victorian and Gothic styles.
The developments from the Victorian age to the present have been vast. England now functions democratically and the monarchy has no real say in the government. The working class and women have the right to vote and a large variety of culture has flooded London. I feel like the shift into the glass buildings that populate the city today contrasted with how ornate things used to be shows through architecture just how much the society has progressed. Not to sound Whigish, as I know there is still work to be done and changes to be made.
Yet I do feel that all three of these eras combine together in an ensemble that fully encompasses London with all of its history and puts it on display to be seen. Walking around and seeing the little blue signs that revealed what a building or area used to be or who used to live there gave me a way to look into the past. I could see the square that Charles Dickens walked in, the crampedness of Tellson’s bank or Darnay being held on trial. And though much of it has changed and is constantly developing, I know that it will maintain its roots because of its Britishness which is something I have come to admire. The old-fashionedness gives a respect to the past of the city and keeps it alive. The arrogance and grandeur have made every building into a spectacle. London has become a city that represents its nation through the ages, with its scars, and ultimately symbolizes British culture.