Sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities written by Charles Dickens

1785 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: A tale of two cities essay

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans: 5: 9-10; “United Church”). Characters like Sydney Carton are people that will give up their own life. Such is the case when Sydney Carton promises Lucie Manette to give his own life for her. He pretends to be Charles Darnay, and he perishes when he gets executed by the guillotine. By sacrificing himself, Sydney allows Charles and Lucie the opportunity of escaping the terror during the French Revolution. The story in which these events take place is called A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens. The central idea of A Tale Of Two Cities is that sacrifice is exemplified by the heroic power that the character demonstrates by surrendering his or her own life or a possession, that of which results from the struggles he or she faces. Furthermore, sacrifice is also exemplified by Charles Darnay, Dr. Manette, and Sydney Carton.
First of all, sacrifice is exemplified when a character gives up his own possession that results as a result of the obstacles they face, this of which Charles Darnay is an example of. In the novel, Charles Darnay is a French aristocrat and he chooses to live in England because he does not want to be associated with the cruel ways that his ancestors developed through generations. In fact, Darnay displays great integrity when he rejects the arrogant and cruel values of Marquis Evrémonde (SparkNotes Editors). During the tribunal in the Bailey courtroom, Lucie reports “There were no other passengers that night, but we four. The prisoner was so good as to beg permission to advise me how I could shelter my father from the wind and weather, better than I had do...

... middle of paper ...

... so can die for our sins. To Conclude, Sacrifice is the act of surrendering of a possession or life as an offering to God or to a divine (Merriam-Webster ).

Works Cited

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on A Tale of Two Cities.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.
Dickens, Charles, and Gillen D'Arcy. Wood. A Tale of Two Cities. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003. Print.
"The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ." United Church of God. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. .
"LitCharts | A Tale of Two Cities: Themes." LitCharts | A Tale of Two Cities: Themes. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014. .
"Sacrifice." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014 . .

Show More
Related

  • Tale Of Two Cities Sacrifice Essay

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    The novel, A Tale of Two Cities, was written by Charles Dickens. It takes place in ENgland and France during the late eighteenth century. Despite horrors like the guillotine, gestures of humanity were shown, especially through Sydney Carton when he sacrificed himself for Charles Darnay. In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens exemplifies the natural goodness of the characters Charles Darnay, Dr. Manette, and Sydney Carton in Book 2, Chapter 18, Book 3, Chapter 15, …. By showing many acts of sacrifice.

    Read More

  • Sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities

    1033 Words  | 3 Pages

    A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a story of great sacrifices being made for the sake of principle. There are many examples of this throughout the book made by many of the characters but some or more evident than others. In Book The First, entitled “Recalled to Life,” the most obvious sacrifice for the sake of principle was made by Dr. Manette. He is imprisoned for eighteen years in the Bastille, for no apparent reason. Another noticeable sacrifice made for the sake of principle was made in Book The Second, entitled “The Golden Thread,” also by Dr. Manette. Charles Darnay reveals the truth about himself and about his family history. He tells Dr. Manette his real identity and that he is heir to the Marquis St. Evremonde. In Book The Third, entitled “The Track of a Storm,” Sydney Carton makes an astounding sacrifice for the sake of principle when he fulfills his promise to Lucie Manette, his true love, that he will one day sacrifice himself for the person whom Lucie loves. In “Recalled to Life,” Dr. Manette makes a very great sacrifice for the sake of principle. “All through the cold and restless interval, until dawn, they once more whispered in the ears of Mr. Jarvis Lorry-sitting opposite the buried man who had been dug out, and wondering what subtle powers were for ever lost to him, and what were capable of restoration-the old inquiry: ‘I hope you care to be recalled to life?’ And the old answer: ‘I can’t say.’"(45).

    Read More

  • Fate In A Tale Of Two Cities

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    “There is no such thing as accident; it is fate misnamed. “ – Napoleon Bonaparte. The idea that we control our own destinies has existed since the 16th century. Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, written in 1859, depicts a story of loss and love during the French Revolution of 1789. Throughout the novel, Dickens uses many symbols and characters to develop the theme of fate and destiny. Many symbols used in Tale of Two Cities revealed the fates of many characters and foreshadowed conflicts. A character analysis of Sydney Carton also reveals that fate guided his path to make the ultimate Christ-like sacrifice to save the Manette family. The fate of the major characters such as Darnay, Carton, and Dr. Manette were all like through

    Read More

  • Sydney Carton Quotes

    1498 Words  | 3 Pages

    When Carton is being taken to the guillotine, he meets a young seamstress who was imprisoned with Darnay. She soon discovers that Carton is not actually Darnay, ““Are you dying for him?” she whispered. “And his wife and child. Hush! Yes.”” (Dickens 365). Caron is asked by the seamstress if he is sacrificing himself for Darnay. Carton replies that he is, but also for Darnay’s wife and child, Lucie and little Lucie. This shows why Carton is sacrificing himself. Carton, though he is saving Darnay’s life, is ultimately giving his life to save Lucie and her child, as well as the future children she and Darnay will have. His love for Lucie is the true reason he commits such an act of self-violence. Sydney Carton’s sacrifice is heroic because he willingly gives his life to save Darnay’s and to preserve the happiness of his family (Keck). Carton is ultimately driven by his love for the Manette family, and his desire to protect them and the love they have for one another. Though Sydney Carton is seemingly a failure, “his redeeming grace is his love for Lucie, which persuades him to sacrifice himself so that she and her family can escape” (Plot Summary). Again, this shows that Carton’s sacrifice is driven by the love he holds for Lucie. Everything Carton told Lucie he would do for her and her family has ultimately

    Read More

  • Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

    1265 Words  | 3 Pages

    The French Revolution can best be described by Dickens in the opening phrase of his novel A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” (Dickens 1). A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens in 1859, takes place in London and Paris during the French Revolution. The book tells the story of a circle of people living and fighting during this dangerous time. These characters include Dr. Manette, a doctor and prisoner of the Bastille for eighteen years who is just reunited with his lovable daughter, Lucie, for the first time since his imprisonment. Mr. Lorry is a banker and family friend of the Manette’s and Charles Darnay is a kind, generous man with a corrupt, noble family who marries Lucie. The Defarges are a married couple who lead the peasants’ revolt in the Revolution, and Sydney Carton is a lawyer’s assistant with a seemingly wasted life, but finds his life’s worth in the end. From these characters and this story, the theme of sacrifice is well displayed, especially the sacrifice for loved ones. The book shows us that love overcomes evil every time through the sacrifices of Miss Pross, Dr. Manette, and Sydney Carton.

    Read More

  • Ambiguous Characters In A Tale Of Two Cities

    706 Words  | 2 Pages

    Charles Dickens writes this book explaining the French Revolution, in which the social and economic systems in France had huge changes and the French monarchy collapsed. This causes high taxes, unfair laws, and the poor being mistreated. Charles Dickens shows that cruelty of other people will lead to a revolution and in addition to the revolution more cruelty will occur. He explores the idea of justice and violence through the use of ambiguous characters with positive and negative qualities, meaning that they have to different sides to them; for example, Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, and Dr. Manette. Throughout the story of A Tale of Two Cities, Charles dickens uses ambiguous characters to shows how violence and cruelty can be stopped through the power of true sacrifice.

    Read More

  • Charles Dickens' Use of Sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities

    1047 Words  | 3 Pages

    The theme of sacrifice is portrayed in A Tale of Two Cities in several ways through the actions of Dr. Manette, Mr. Defarge, and Sydney Carton, but all acts of sacrifice display audacity and show how much love and compassion there must be for that person. Giving up something or risking your life for another person or name is one of the hardest and bravest acts a person can do. Dr. Manette, Mr. Defarge, and Sydney Carton’s actions showed just how much they love Lucie Manette and their acts of sacrifice showed how they would do anything to please her. Sacrificing yourself or your name for someone not only lets you achieve inner happiness, but shows how courageous a person must be to do so.

    Read More

  • A Tale Of Two Cities

    2254 Words  | 5 Pages

    A Tale of Two Cities takes place in England and France, during the time of the French Revolution. A Tale of Two Cities is a classic novel, where Charles Dickens presents to the reader archetypal main characters. From the beginning of the novel, the reader can know whether the characters are evil or not. In the novel, the main character, Sydney Carton, also contributes a lot to the theme of the novel-every individual should have both moral and physical courage, and should be able to sacrifice everything in the name of love.

    Read More

  • Ambiguous Characters In A Tale Of Two Cities

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    Charles Dickens writes this book explaining the French Revolution, in which the social and economic systems in France had huge changes and the French monarchy collapsed. This caused high taxes, unfair laws, and the poor being mistreated. Charles Dickens shows that cruelty of other people will lead to a revolution and in addition to the revolution more cruelty will happen. He explores the idea of justice and violence through the use of characters that are ambiguous, meaning that they have to different sides to them; for example, Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, and Dr. Manette. Throughout the story of A Tale of Two Cities, Charles dickens shows the ambiguous characters through the power of true sacrifice.

    Read More

  • Sacrifice In A Tale Of Two Cities

    1417 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sacrifices are often made to strengthen bonds, and no other bond in the novel is stronger than the one that Lucie Mannette shares with her father , Dr. Manette. Indeed, Lucy has gone to great lengths to ensure that their bond stays strong. In the opening chapters of the novel, Lucie, in hopes that her pleas can cure her father’s insanity, devotes herself to Dr. Manette wholeheartedly, disregarding any personal desires of her own. She promises her father that if, “ ..I hint to you of a home there is before us, I will be true to you with all my duty.” (46) Lucie’s undying devotion to her father is a clear example of how one person’s sacrifice can inspire life in another.

    Read More

  • Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    As he planned the events, he ended up in Darnay’s cell waiting to be beheaded. Before Carton is beheaded, his mind becomes completely clear. He looks at his life and knows he is going to a far better place. “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.” (367) Carton’s act of saving Charles Darnay was truly a positive decision for himself.

    Read More

  • Lucie's Loving Ways in Charles Dickens´A Tale of Two Cities

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    Love has the power to change the world. It can do far more than any speech, treaty, or war. Love, on a smaller scale, can especially impact the lives of those who communicate and receive it. This passion has the ability to assuage, provide comfort, and provide life. In particular, one girl dedicates her life to spreading love, even when she must sacrifice a large amount of her time. This woman is Lucie Manette. In the novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens uses the character of Lucie Manette to prove that love and sacrifice can impact one’s life.

    Read More

  • Dickens Cruelty Between Classes In A Tale Of Two Cities

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dickens is anything but subtle, doing things such as capitalizing the important symbols in his novels and naming some of his characters after their most prevalent trait. While this technique seems like it would soften the universal implications of his novels because they are so easily apparent, instead his unique and blunt writing style is able to carry across many meaningful themes, most easily recognizable, but others not. Dickens unique style is especially prevalent in A Tale of Two Cities, a novel that switches between covering events in London and Paris over the course of the first French revolution. When the book begins, revolution is brewing in France due to cruel oppression by the aristocracy and

    Read More

  • The Historical Context of A Tale of Two Cities

    2559 Words  | 6 Pages

    Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. 1859. Reprint. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble

    Read More

  • A Tale of Two Cities Book Report

    1471 Words  | 3 Pages

    Dickens , Charles. Tale of Two Cities. London: Chapman and Hall, 1859. Kindle ebook file.

    Read More

More about Sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities written by Charles Dickens

Open Document