Ilona M. answered • 05/01/20
MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
In the Tale of Two Cities Dickens expresses his belief in the possibility of resurrection and transformation. This related to both his personal and a societal level. The narrative suggests that Sydney Carton’s death secures a new, peaceful life for Lucie Manette, Charles Darnay, and even Carton himself. The metaphor of a guillotine shows Carton ascending to the plane of heroism, becoming a Christ-like figure whose death serves to save the lives of others. In this way his own life gets meaning and value. The final pages of the novel suggest that,symbolizes Christ, Carton will be resurrected—Carton is reborn in the hearts of those for who he has died to save. The text helps the reader to infer that the death of the old regime in France prepares the way for the beautiful and renewed Paris that Carton may envision from the guillotine. Although Carton spends most of the novel in a life of indolence and apathy, the selflessness of his final act speaks that humans are capable to change. Although the novel dedicates much time to describing the atrocities committed both by the aristocracy and by the outraged peasants, but ultimately it expresses the belief that this violence hopefully will give way to a new and better society.
Dickens elaborates more of his theme with the character of Doctor Manette. Early on in the novel, Lorry holds an imaginary conversation with him where he says that Manette has been “recalled to life.” The reader can imply that the doctor’s eighteen-year imprisonment has constituted a metaphorical death. Lucie’s love enables Manette’s spiritual renewal.
Connected to the theme of the possibility of resurrection is the contrast in that sacrifice is necessary to achieve happiness. Dickens examines this second theme on both a national and personal levels.
