"It was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black like the painted face of a savage.

Question

"It was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black like the painted face of a savage.

It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled." -Charles Dickens

Does this quote describe the revolutions of 1848 or the rise of the factory system?

Answer 1

What do you think?

Answer 2

Revolutions of 1848

Answer 3

Revolts against kings and queens?

http://www.google.com/webhp?source=search_app#q=Revolutions+of+1848+

http://www.google.com/search?q=factory+system&biw=1242&bih=585&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=KLwFVZLMJYnAggTX1oHwBw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

Answer 4

http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution

Answer 5

To determine whether this quote describes the revolutions of 1848 or the rise of the factory system, it is necessary to analyze the provided excerpt by Charles Dickens and its historical context.

The quote portrays a town characterized by red brick buildings, but the smoke and ashes have caused them to appear unnatural, with both red and black colors. Additionally, the town is depicted as being filled with machinery and tall chimneys, from which endless smoke trails emerge.

Based on this description, it seems more likely that this quote describes the rise of the factory system during the Industrial Revolution. The mention of tall chimneys and smoke trails suggests heavy industrialization and the proliferation of factories. Moreover, the description of the town being covered in smoke and ashes implies pollution and the harmful impacts of industrialization on the environment.

While the revolutions of 1848 were a series of political uprisings that occurred across Europe, seeking social and political reforms, this particular quote does not explicitly reference political unrest or revolutionary activities.

In conclusion, the context provided in the quote aligns more closely with the description of the rise of the factory system and the negative consequences of industrialization during the 19th century.