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Examples Of Rebirth In A Tale Of Two Cities

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The French Revolution was fought for the rights of the common man and his natural rights. Ultimately, it can be viewed as a period of time of complete social and political upheaval and a new beginning for the country of France. As proved by France, sometimes a rebirth, clean slate, or new beginning is necessary to better something’s overall being. It is clear that Charles Dickens supports this idea as he translates it into the characters within his novel. In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, several characters experience both literal and figurative rebirth and as a result are bettered overall. Firstly, and perhaps most clearly, the release from his eighteen year long imprisonment becomes not only a time of revival, but a pivotal moment in Dr. Manette’s life. The doctor was locked away in an isolated prison for eighteen years and “[e]ven the doctor’s daughter Lucie … believes that the person who will emerge from the prison will be a ghost rather than a living man” (“A Tale of Two Cities” 357). Dickens makes the rebirth of Dr. Manette immensely obvious through revealing Lucie’s thoughts on his supposed ghost-like nature in the moments leading up to his reveal. After …show more content…

Manette all experience their own forms of rebirth that ultimately result in better things for all three. While the background plot of the novel is the Revolution, “[r]evolutionary anarchy and hatred consume these people, but the Darnays, Dr. Manette, … and especially Carton, are redeemed through their love and self-sacrifice” (“A Tale of Two Cities” 357). Furthermore, “Dr. Manette, Darnay and Carton are all resurrected at times when hope is lost” (Dingyuan and Xiaohua), not only in reference to the plot, but in reference to their journey as people. While on the surface the novel appears to be about the French Revolution, the themes of rebirth and its importance in bettering things are two of the multiple themes presented by

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