A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Resurrection as a theme of A Tale of two Cities.

Written by Charles Dickens in 1859 “A Tale of two cities” is considered in the first rank in English literary canon.  The novel is mainly based on various aspects of a major historical event, the French revolution. Dickens vividly portrays the hunger of French people and the brutality of French aristocracy. Here, Dickens asserts his belief in the possibility of resurrection and transformation, both on a personal level and on a societal level.  

Literary meaning of resurrection recalled to life. (Here resurrection exposes in various forms and in many chapters of the novel we find the ever present possibility of resurrection.) In the novel, many characters are given another chance for a new beginning and a second possibility away from death. We find Dr Alexander Manette, Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay- they all are resurrected and through resurrection social justice is obtained. 

In the early stages of the book, Mr. Lorry has an imaginary conversation with Dr. Manette in which he says Manette has been “recalled to life”. This very statement describes, Dr. Manette is resurrected physically by his daughter Lucie and Mr. Lorry, after he is rescued from the jail. After being in prison for a long time, Dr. Manette has almost become an insane; (he refers himself as “One Hundred and Five, North Tower” and all his time frequently makes shoes. His new chance at life is shown when Mr. Lorry tells him, “You know you are recalled to life”. After he returns home, we can see his gradual improvement, completely possible through the love of his daughter. Thus, Lucie is only responsible to resurrect Dr. Manette mentally and gives him a normal life through resurrection. 

At the end of the book, Sydney Carton’s death saves a new, peaceful life for Lucie Manette, Charles Darnay and even Carton himself. By sacrificing his life, Carton upholds the pride of heroism, becoming a Christ-like figure whose death serves to save the mankind. Carton’s life also gains such meanings. Though throughout the novel, he lives a life of indolence and apathy; but his unconditional love for Lucie leads him to be a hero by sacrificing his life. Thus, Carton is resurrected- Carton is reborn in the hearts of those he has died to save them. And, Dickens in course of Carton’s resurrection supports the tendency of sacrifice to keep peace in society. 

In the end of the book, the best gift of resurrection is given to Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat who chooses to live a modest life. Sydney Carton saves Darnay’s life twice in time. First when Darnay is accused to be a British spy and second when he is imprisoned in Paris by the revolutionaries. (Darnay is a kind and meek person, who denies the rule of his ascenders and feels sympathy for the common people. But the revolutionaries, due to their hatred, keeps Darnay imprison, and decides to hang him up for all the misdeeds of his ascenders.) Consequently, in the two times Darnay gets free by the help of Carton, because of their physical resemblance and latter of the novel, Carton gives his life instead of Darnay in order to remain safe Lucie’s husband life, Charles Darnay.

The power of love and determination, and the achievement of social justice are clearly highlighted by resurrection of Dr. Alexander Manette, Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay.