Oppression is a reoccurring theme throughout the entire book. We see oppression happen to everyone and everywhere at least once sometime throughout the book. The first instance of oppression happens in the first paragraph, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times- This paragraph shows that in France and England, the aristocrats rule and has oppressed the people for so long that many are starving. The peasants are treated cruelly by the corrupt ruling class, which lives in a very well-to-do manner.
The next sign of oppression that we see in Book 1, Chapter 5 when we read that the peasants are so hungry and thirsty that the drink the wine that was spilled on the dirty dusty street. .
In Book 2, Chapter 9 the Marquis is quoted as saying, "Repression is the only lasting philosophy." This quote is agreed upon by most of the aristocracy and shows how narrow minded they became. All the aristocrats could think of was oppressing the peasants.
"Drive him fast to his tomb." This was the note that was left on the Marquis after he was killed. This is one of the most important sentences in the book when talking about oppression because this is the turning point in the book. Up until this point, the aristocrats were the oppressors and the peasants were the oppressed. The moment the Marquis is killed the tables turn. This is the first time we see the peasants up rise and they become the oppressors and the aristocrats become the oppressed.
In Book 2, Chapter 21 The peasants have taken on the characteristics of their long-time oppressors, now they are threatening to murder any of the aristocrats who disobey their orders.
Also in Book 2, Chapter 22 The peasants get a hold of Foulon, They remember the things he said about them so they kill him and stuff his mouth with grass. They do this to avenge the killing of there relatives. This is another turning point in the book. It shows the turning of attitude in the peasant class.