As someone who left America for the first time, exploring London has been both enriching and eye-opening. Throughout our journey across this bustling global city, I’ve discovered how deeply rooted art, history, and culture are—not only in the past, but also in the present. Towards the start of our bookpacking expedition, we visited two of the city’s most acclaimed landmarks, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. These structures, which encompass extensive royal and religious power are situated just across the street from one another. We were able to witness firsthand how the monarchy continues to maintain its influence on British society. The palace distinguishes itself from the general public with its soldiers guarding the secrets that linger behind those gates. It is interesting to me how British society has decided to conserve the monarchy and what that ultimately means for the lives of everyday citizens.
In the past, when I have dwelt upon institutions like the British monarchy, what often comes to mind is colonialism, especially as someone who is of African descent. I believe that while one can appreciate the grandiose view of Buckingham Palace, it is also important to recognize the harm that has occurred in the name of expansion and exploitation. While we were at the Tate Modern museum, a piece struck me that appeared to exude similar themes of occupation. This piece depicted a Black woman who was a circus performer assigned the role of appearing “exotic” to circus goers. The fetishization that Black people were subjected to during the 1800s led to the stripping of their humanity. Othering Black people in this manner contributed to the justification of colonizing African and Caribbean countries by the British Empire.
Before arriving in London, I was not familiar with Westminster Abbey. However, as I strolled through the halls, I realized how integral it is to London’s history. I didn't expect notable scientific figures like Issac Newton and Stephen Hawking to be buried in such a major religious institution, since science and religion are often not viewed as complementary to one another, especially in today's world. It was also evident to me that the operation of the monarchy was intertwined with Westminster Abbey. Seeing the coronation chair and high altar, which were dripping in gold, offered a glimpse into the ceremonial traditions that have upheld and reinforced the monarchy over time. The beauty of the architecture was striking and almost overwhelming in how much history it carried.
Later, walking along the row of gentlemen’s clubs gave me insight into the classism that still prevails, especially within wealthier circles. Classism is a recurrent theme in both A Tale of Two Cities and Les Misérables. For instance, in A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Darnay and Monsieur Marquis debate about the suffering that their high-status family have inflicted upon the poor. Marquis represents those who seek to uphold the status quo, while Darnay criticizes the oppression that is occurring. Today, these viewpoints are still expressed, especially within politics.
One of the aspects of London that initially caught my attention was its diversity. I honestly wasn’t expecting the city to be so multicultural. For instance, visiting Brick Lane allowed me to understand how Bangladeshi and Jewish immigrants have established their communities in the city over the years. I felt as if the city leans more towards embracing its diversity, rather than trying to reject its existence.
When we entered the Bank area of the city, I immediately noticed the contrast between the older architecture, such as Child’s Bank (referred to as Tellson’s Bank by Dickens), and modern skyscraper-like buildings. London’s ability to maintain consistent banking practices over centuries attests to the strength of its financial industry. While the exteriors of these banking institutions have evolved over the years, capitalism remains their core driving force. Seeing the site of Tellson’s Bank made Dickens’ critique of the financial world feel especially present. In A Tale of Two Cities, he depicts Tellson’s as a symbol of rigid tradition and moral judgement, where those in debt are met with little empathy. This attitude still lingers in our current capitalist society, where economic hardship is often blamed on individuals before considering the possible inequalities at play.
This week, we explored the relationship between legality and morality that Dickens discusses in A Tale of Two Cities. The Old Bailey court is a central piece to the plot, where convicts often are faced with possible death. I thought it was mindboggling how even the pettiest of crimes would result in an immediate trip to the guillotine. We can say for sure that such crimes would certainly not equate to immediate death in today's world. I also noticed that religion, particularly Christianity, was primarily used to determine what was lawful or moral. The lack of forgiveness echoed Jean Valjean’s struggles in Les Misérables, showing how redemption and acceptance were difficult to come by.
As we set off to Paris soon, I am excited to further explore how culture, history, and architecture shed light on what defines a city’s identity. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how these iconic cities have changed over time, and what their streets and traditions reveal about the people who live there.
