Sacrifice In A Tale Of Two Cities

In the first chapter of A Tale of Two cities, Dickens emphasizes the fact of how bad the people lived. "It was the worst of times," due to mistreatment from the third estate. But it was also the "best of times," for the nobles, and higher class people who could actually afford things, and weren't mistreated and starved.

This statement is revisited at the top of the novel once Carton offers up his life so as to save lots of that of Charles to make sure Lucie’s happiness.

Just like Bruce Wayne from the Dark Knight Rises, both Bruce and Carton isolate themselves from society in a way. Additionally, Carton believes that he had wasted his life by living as an alcoholic and making bad choices. In the novel, Carton is even nicknamed, “The Jackal” because he was okay with being treated poorly by others and living as a bottom feeder. The only thing that kept him going is his endless love for Lucie. At the end of the novel, Carton sacrificed himself to save Darnay’s life. Carton’s last quote ends the novel by stating, “‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known’” (Dickens 462). In other words, sacrifice was the only way to redeem himself. He was spiritually resurrected, since he still has faith in Paris and that his name will be known to others as a hero. This is similar to the Dark Knight Rises, since Bruce Wayne also sacrificed himself to save Gotham City. Bruce and Carton both redeemed themselves through self sacrifice, and they did it for the same reasons. They both saw a bright future for Paris and Gotham City.

In the melodramatic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, the author uses the theme sacrifice. He shows that sacrifice is important in his story because some of his characters must give up their lives for another. Miss Pross dedicates herself to Lucie because she wants Lucie to have a brighter future than she did. Then, out of his love and devotion for Lucie Manette, Sydney Carton sacrifices his life to save a life she loves. The sacrifices Miss Pross and Sydney Carton make express that mankind will give everything for what they love and believe in.

A character that shows the greatest resurrection in the novel is Sydney Carton. Carton when first introduced is a very intelligent person but who is also filled with immense amounts of sorrow. After the trial Charles Darnay meets Sydney to have

Lucie has given Carton a reason to live but not in the way the reader was hoping for. He promises Lucie he will take his own life to save Lucie’s life and every soul she loves. This promise was unexpected from egotistical Carton. When Darnay is sentenced to death, Carton takes his place, ultimately saving Darnay’s life, and keeping his promise to Lucie. Dickens convinces the readers that individuals are capable of changing, in Carton’s case from self-centered to

Carton’s selflessness reaches a new peak in the last few hours of his life, when he comforts the young seamstress who will die before him. Sydney Carton sympathizes with the woman who eventually recognizes him as Darnay’s replacement. Carton is even brought to tears when in conversation with the young woman, showing his transformation into a sympathetic and humble man. When the seamstress asks ‘“Oh, will you let me hold your hand brave stranger?” (347), he immediately replies with ‘“Hush!

Carton unselfishly decides that he is going to take Darnay’s spot in prison and die for him. The narrator depicts, “Quickly, but with sure hands and a sure heart, Carton dressed himself in the clothes Darnay had laid aside. He combed back his hair and tied it with the ribbon Darnay had been wearing”(page). Carton’s fearless act displays his kindness and loyalty to Lucie and her family. Carton could have easily gone on living his life and let Darnay die and then pursued his love for Lucie, but he realizes that all the people he loves would be miserable without Darnay.

Despite his epiphany, he does nothing about these dreams and continues to live a dull, depressing, indolent, and worthless life; depicting a man vs. himself conflict because Carton is fighting with his internal feelings and emotions. Lucie's character brings about a sense or acknowledgement of hope within Carton, leading him to commit noble acts and be at peace with himself as a person before he meets his demise at La Guillotine, in place of Charles Darnay;a.

Acting upon his moral duty, Darnay puts his life on the line in hopes to have an influence on the situation of those who suffer in these dire times. Up against the menacing Madame Defarge, Miss Pross gains courage out of love, and defeats the sinister woman, all while sacrificing her hearing for the betterment of Lucie’s state. No longer roaming lost through life, Carton unearths his purpose as he sacrifices all to switch positions with Darnay, allowing Lucie to live a life she loves. However, these characters do not carry out their sacrifices because they are obliged to or even because they desire to, but they do so because they know it is just. Sacrifice is powerful, sacrifice is noble, but sacrifice is not easy.

When Carton is telling his feelings to Lucie, he exclaims that “for you and for any dear to you, I would do anything… think now and then that there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you!”(117). Carton is promising to do anything he possible can to keep a life Lucie loves alive and close to her. Carton would happily give his life to save one Lucie loves and would be proud to do it. Later in the book after Darnay has been found guilty and is due to die at the guillotine the next day Carton whispers into Lucie’s ear, “a life you love”(260). Carton is telling Lucie that he is going to save Darnay, which is the life she loves that is in danger.

A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, has a theme of resurrection. The main character who shows this resurrection is Sydney Carton. His revival came in the end when he died. Taking the place for Charles Darnay, Carton became a true hero. Carton is also an example of changing for the well being of others. By looking at the person he was before the change, to seeing the person he became, and understanding why he changed, Sydney Carton had a genuine change of heart.

Sydney Carton first makes his appearance in this tale at the trial of Charles Darnay, the mysterious Frenchman. He is there as an assistant to Mr. Stryver, Darnay´s lawyer. Although he appears to be no help to Darnay 's cause, he actually saves his life by making a claim that it would be difficult to pinpoint Darnay as the culprit when he himself looks very similar to Charles. In spite of the fact that he saves Darnay from prison or even death, Carton’s intentions are not for Charles’ well being. As Carton says later, “I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me” (63). He says this at a pub with Darnay, after the trial. Carton had brought him there, and began to drink heavily, while asking Darnay questions. By the end of the night this carelessness manifests itself when Carton becomes a

This also proves that deep down in Carton’s heart, he carried to hatred but love for people, since he practically apologized to Darnay. Couple of Years after, the French Revolution had started. Charles Darnay was arrested. He was to be executed because he was an Evremonde. Sydney Carton made his arrangements and decided to die instead of him. Carton did that because he loved Lucy Manette (Darnay’s wife) very much and he wanted her to remain happy all her life. Indeed Sydney Carton was a drunk looser. However, he helped a lot of souls around him. He saved people’s lives and he made other people’s lives happier.

Through the book we can see how emotionally beat Carton is. He is a carton of milk, but with no milk, and what is a carton of milk with no milk? Nothing, Sydney Carton is a man of nothing. No desire, no hope, no happiness. I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me. (2.4.70) Even though Sydney Carton seems hopeless, he will see the pity people give him, the smug looks, and will change his life around. After, seeing Lucie Manette marry Charles Darnay, he decides to turn his life around. Sydney becomes a man of more than just himself. Carton visits Lucie and Charles Darnay to play with their kids and to actually enjoy himself, before the only enjoyment he really had was drinking which just made him feel worse. By the end of the book Sydney Carton has overcome his depressed, alcoholic ways and sacrificed his life for Darnay knowing Darnay will live a happy life with his kids. Sydney Carton's last thoughts before his life is sacrificed to save Charles Darnay: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." (374). Sydney Carton is reborn in the hearts of those as a hero, and even Charles Darnay names his next child after him