An Overview of A Tale of Two Cities
Uploaded by spacecadet420 on Jan 14, 2012
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens contained many themes that are practiced throughout the book. Two of these themes are altruism and resurrection. The characters Madame Defarge and Sydney Carton are used to exemplify these themes. Sydney Carton demonstrated an altruistic nature while Madame Defarge had a self-seeking disposition. Carton displayed his charitable nature when Lucie was the object of Mr. Stryver’s affection. When Mr. Stryver asked for Sydney’s approval, he said that he supported him in his pursuit even though Carton held a secret passion for Lucie. Before Darnay’s marriage to Lucie, Sydney told Lucie of his hopeless devotion to her and described himself “to be undeserving.” He also volunteered to “embrace any sacrifice” for her and those dear to her. Carton’s altruism culminated when Darnay became incarcerated in La Force. When Mr. Lorry told Sydney of Darnay’s predicament, he traveled to France to offer his help. Carton fulfilled his offer to Lucie when he drugged Darnay and took his place in the impending death sentence. Madame Defarge, “imbued from her childhood with a brooding sense of wrong,” had no traditional morals in her and is the opposite of Carton. In Dickens’ vivid description of her, she is described as a “tigress” and “absolutely without pity.” Her hatred of the Evremondes had grown so profusely that she intended to execute Lucie and her daughter in addition to Darnay who had committed no crime but “was to die for the sins of his forefathers.” In addition, she ignored her husband’s profound pleas to spare Dr. Manette and exclaimed to herself, “No, I cannot spare him!” Resurrection embodies both Sydney Carton and Therese Defarge. Sydney is resurrected from a desolate life of working under Stryver to sacrificing his life for the sake of Darnay. In the beginning of the story, Sydney is described as a lowly “jackal” in service to Stryver. He drinks excessively with Stryver and is careless in regard to clothing and speech. After Darnay’s trial, Carton is described as “so careless as to be almost insolent.” The trial is followed by a drink with Charles. After Carton has traveled to France, Carton has abstained from drinking and has liberated himself from Stryver. Before his death, he says, “I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in...