A Tale of Two Cities: Resurrection and Sacrifice
Resurrection and Sacrifice
Charles Dickens was an English novelist in the 19th century. A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens is a story of sacrifice and resurrection. Throughout the novel many instances of this are displayed. Charles Darnay, Dr. Manette and Lucie Manette, and Sydney Carton are all examples of sacrifice and resurrection in the novel.
First, Charles Darnay is resurrected through sacrificing his life as a French aristocrat. Darnay cannot stand to be associated with the injustices of his uncle, Marquis Evrémonde, and sacrifices his freedom and privileges. At his uncle’s will, Darnay is placed on trial for treason against England. Because imprisonment is compared to a living death, when Darnay escapes imprisonment he is resurrected from social disapproval.
Second, Dr. Manette and Lucie Manette are a prime example of sacrifice and resurrection because of love. Dr. Manette, after being imprisoned for eighteen years, is essentially soulless and makes shoes as a way of coping with tortures of prison. Lucie Manette, his daughter, sacrifices her life to nurse her struggling father back to health and resurrect him. Although Lucie strongly influences Dr. Manette’s recover, he makes his own sacrifice to Lucie that completes his resurrection. Through showing Lucie his own love in the same way she did for him, he gains spiritual strength.
Lastly, we see an example of sacrifice and resurrection because of love through Sydney Carton. When we first meet Carton, he is essentially a drunkard who had not really achieved anything in his life thus far. When he meets Lucie, he falls in love with her. Even though she chooses Darnay, Carton vows to protect her and the ones she loves. As Darnay is sentenced to be guillotined, Carton holds to his vow and exchanges clothes with Darnay. He makes the sacrifice of his life to protect Lucie and those that she cares for. Although his life was ended, Carton is resurrected because he achieves something great and is
Charles Dickens was an English novelist in the 19th century. A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens is a story of sacrifice and resurrection. Throughout the novel many instances of this are displayed. Charles Darnay, Dr. Manette and Lucie Manette, and Sydney Carton are all examples of sacrifice and resurrection in the novel.
First, Charles Darnay is resurrected through sacrificing his life as a French aristocrat. Darnay cannot stand to be associated with the injustices of his uncle, Marquis Evrémonde, and sacrifices his freedom and privileges. At his uncle’s will, Darnay is placed on trial for treason against England. Because imprisonment is compared to a living death, when Darnay escapes imprisonment he is resurrected from social disapproval.
Second, Dr. Manette and Lucie Manette are a prime example of sacrifice and resurrection because of love. Dr. Manette, after being imprisoned for eighteen years, is essentially soulless and makes shoes as a way of coping with tortures of prison. Lucie Manette, his daughter, sacrifices her life to nurse her struggling father back to health and resurrect him. Although Lucie strongly influences Dr. Manette’s recover, he makes his own sacrifice to Lucie that completes his resurrection. Through showing Lucie his own love in the same way she did for him, he gains spiritual strength.
Lastly, we see an example of sacrifice and resurrection because of love through Sydney Carton. When we first meet Carton, he is essentially a drunkard who had not really achieved anything in his life thus far. When he meets Lucie, he falls in love with her. Even though she chooses Darnay, Carton vows to protect her and the ones she loves. As Darnay is sentenced to be guillotined, Carton holds to his vow and exchanges clothes with Darnay. He makes the sacrifice of his life to protect Lucie and those that she cares for. Although his life was ended, Carton is resurrected because he achieves something great and is