The Redemption Of Lucie Manette In A Tale Of Two Cities

964 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Tale of two cities theme essay

During a time of lost hope, death and war, a “golden thread”, namely Lucie Manette rises up as a heroine doing everything she possibly can do to make certain the important people in her life are safe and protected. Lucie provides not only warmth toward her father, Dr. Manette, but also towards the man that yearns for her unending love, Sydney Carton. Despite all the negativity that surrounds Lucie and her loved ones, she is successful in leading her father and Carton to salvation. In the book, A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens displays through his work the overwhelming motif of resurrection through his use of resources of language such as imagery, tone and diction. He also demonstrates the motif of resurrection through the lives of Sydney …show more content…

In Chapter 13, Book 2, Carton stops at the Manette's house determined to expose his inner deep love for Lucie since he had nothing more to lose, at this point in his life. At the point of the conversation when Carton had little, if anything to live for, Lucie says "Can I not recall you...to a better course? Can I in no way repay your confidence?" (Book 2 Chapter 13). Dickens creates this scene of redemption through the use of tone to make it known that Lucie will be the one to give Carton a second chance through her patience and deep concern for him. Through Lucie’s redeeming love for her friend, Carton realizes how much of his life he has wasted and the hope he has now for his future. Concerning Sydney Carton’s rebirth, the narrator states: "[Carton] was so unlike what he had ever shown himself to be, and it was so sad to think how much he had thrown away..." (Book 2 Chapter 18). In this chapter, Dickens introduces a new tone that is demonstrated by Carton through his elevated view of himself rather than his past hopelessness. As in earlier chapters, Chapter 1 Book 4, Charles Darnay comments to Carton, "I think you have been drinking, Mr. Carton." To this, Carton responds, "Think? You know I have been drinking. I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth and no man on earth cares for me." Dickens shows

Show More
Related

  • The Search for Truth in A Tale of Two Cities

    2656 Words  | 6 Pages

    Two characters Dickens sets in opposition are Madame Defarge and Lucie Manette. Although Lucie Manette grew up an orphan after her mother died and her father lay languishing anonymously in a prison cell of the Bastille, although she suffered irreparable harm, Lucie Manette always finds within herself the ability to forgive wrongs and love other people. She looks for the best in every human heart and inspires those around her to love and achieve great, nearly impossible goals. Lucie Manette always appears in the form of light, often receiving the appellation of "angel." She provides a soothing disposition to those in torment, patiently listening to sorrows and misdeeds while forgiving and encouraging the miscreant to better ways. Even though she cannot reform Sidney Carton, he realizes that she, more than anyone, would have that power; ho...

    Read More

  • Resurrection: Giving Meaning to Life

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rebirth, a prominent idea in Christianity and Western thought, is often associated with rejuvenation and second chances. The idea of a second birth is both a baptism and a change in identity— all of which figure prominently in Charles Dickens’s novel, A Tale of Two Cities. Two characters, Dr. Manette and Sydney Carton, both go through the process of rebirth and a change of identity. The process of birth is in nature a responsibility of the female, in both Dr. Manette’s case and Sydney Carton’s they are reborn through the actions they do for Lucie— whose name is telling in itself, meaning light/daylight all symbolic of something new/God the light and the way. Resurrection is a reoccurring theme which can be seen through the actions of Dr. Manette and Sydney Carton.

    Read More

  • Fate In A Tale Of Two Cities

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    Carton thinks, “I see a child who lay upon her bosom and who bore my name, a man whining his way up in that path of life which once was mine. I see him whining it so well, that my name is made illustrious there by the light of his” (364). The child that Carton foresees will become the man Carton always wanted to be. Not only did his fate benefit Darnay and his descendants, but Carton was rid of his past miseries that made him a prisoner during his life. Upon hearing about Darnay’s imprisonment, Dr. Manette attempted to change Darnay’s fate of dying by the guillotine. Dr. Manette promised, “I knew I could help Charles out of all danger; I told Lucie so” (253). However, Dr. Manette’s forgotten past of his unjust imprisonment in Bastille reappears through his own letter denouncing Darnay, giving Carton his golden opportunity to give himself for Darnay. After taking the letter addressed to the Marquis St. Evrémonde, Darnay was surprised upon reading the letter to know that his loyal servant Gabelle was in danger and felt compelled to save Gabelle. “...the winds and streams had driven him within the influence of the Loadstone Rock, and it was drawing him to itself, and he must go. Everything that arose before his mind drifted him on, faster and faster, more and more steadily, to the terrible attraction” (234). After Carton fulfilled his fate of sacrificing himself, Darnay was freed from his attachment with France and settled in England once and for all. Through the connections of the character’s imprisonment, Dickens illustrates that only a sacrifice could change the fate of

    Read More

  • Sydney Carton Quotes

    1498 Words  | 3 Pages

    This quote shows that Carton wishes he had been a better person, and knows that he could have been as successful as Darnay if only he had applied himself to his job or found love. Sydney Carton is a man deep in self-doubt and self-hatred. He is an alcoholic who is often moody and depressed (Moss and Wilson). Carton has an extremely low opinion of himself, and has no happiness or love in his life. Carton’s sacrifice ultimately purifies him, and saves him from his own self-loathing. Though Carton’s strength comes from his love for Lucie, his apathy for his life does as well; “he is a brooding individual, socially outcast, and both driven and tormented by an impossible love.” (Gonzalez-Posse 346) This quote shows Carton’s unattainable need to

    Read More

  • Resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities

    1152 Words  | 3 Pages

    In A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, many characters are given second chances as their lives are resurrected. The central heroine woman, Lucy Manette, is responsible for the resurrections of Sydney Carton and Dr. Alexander Manette's lives. She gives them inspiration and love to help them recover from their seemingly hopeless states. In turn, Carton gives up his own life in order to save a friend. The lives of Sydney Carton, Dr. Manette, and Charles Darnay are all resurrected at times when hope is lost.

    Read More

  • Christianity in a Tale of Two Cities

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    Dickens responded to this "dog-eat-dog" social climate by writing A Tale of Two Cities as a vehicle to reform society. He intends to fortify Christian values within English culture, such as self-sacrifice and kindness, in a time when he feels these values are threatened and sometimes completely overlooked. In this essay, I will show how Dickens interweaves his moral agenda of Christian values into the novel by using contrasts, symbols, and the motif of doubles as well as the evolution of Sydney Carton into a Christ-like figure with the goal of inspiring the reader to the point of evolving into an ethically "good" human being.

    Read More

  • A Tale of Two Cities Essays: The Character of Lucie Manette

    358 Words  | 1 Pages

    Lucie Manette, in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, is a quiet young woman.  She is deeply compassionate but never develops a real believable character.  Her feelings, which are similar in all cases, are revealed to us when she interacts with her father Dr. Manette, Charles Darney, and Sydney Carton.

    Read More

  • The Dynamic Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities

    461 Words  | 1 Pages

    Proclaiming his love to Lucie Manette before her wedding, Carton has a turning point and becomes enlightened. Carton converses with Miss Manette, "O Miss Manette... think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you" (156). Apparently, Carton becomes a changed man; he becomes a caring person who tries to help others. However, Carton always noticed Lucie Manette; when they were in the courtroom, Carton focuses on Miss Manette. Dickens describes the scene, "when Miss Manette's head dropped upon her father's breast, he was the first to see it." Carton constantly focuses on Lucie. He makes her the center of his attention.

    Read More

  • Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities

    617 Words  | 2 Pages

    He now looked at things with a more positive attitude and a new personal strength was seen in his later actions. Carton’s final act in this novel shows what a brave man he was and how he acts upon his true love for Lucie. After the second arrest of Charles Darnay, Carton urges Dr. Manette to attempt to use his influence to free Charles. When Carton is speaking with little Lucie, Charles and Lucie’s daughter, she begs him to do something to save her father. After Carton leaves the Manette’s house, he devises a plan to switch places with Darnay.

    Read More

  • Free Essays on A Tale of Two Cities: Sentimentality

    451 Words  | 1 Pages

    In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens’ choice of sentimental expression had an excellent effect on the readers’ responses to the characters. The use of exaggerated sentimentality helped create a clear picture of the story’s issues in the readers’ minds; it gave a feel for the spirit of the times, and made it easier to understand the characters’ points of view. It was this very sentimentality that Dickens strived to achieve.

    Read More

  • Tale Of Two Cities Motifs Essay

    870 Words  | 2 Pages

    In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens presents numerous symbols, and motifs, with each having their own specific meanings. While reading the story, I have found that the motif, resurrection, has been most useful in my understanding of the story. The entirety of A Tale of Two Cities focuses on the French Revolution, which had the main goal of resurrecting France from its previous state of suffering. Moreover, many characters in the story experience resurrections of sort. Both Dr. Manette and Sydney Carton

    Read More

  • The Historical Context of A Tale of Two Cities

    2559 Words  | 6 Pages

    A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is a story set in the year 1775 and through the turbulent time of the French Revolution. It is of people living in love and betrayal, murder and joy, peril and safety, hate and fondness, misery and happiness, gentle actions and ferocious crowds. The novel surrounds a drunken man, Sydney Carton, who performs a heroic deed for his beloved, Lucie Manette, while Monsieur and Madame Defarge, ruthless revolutionaries, seek revenge against the nobles of France. Research suggests that through Dickens’ portrayal of the revolutionaries and nobles of the war, he gives accurate insight to the era of the Revolution.

    Read More

  • Free Essays on A Tale of Two Cities: Theme of Resurrection

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens uses a variety of themes, including, revenge, revolution, fate, and imprisonment. Though these are very important themes, and were integral elements of this novel, resurrection served as the main theme aside from the obvious one which is revolution. The reason I chose resurrection instead of revolution, is because it is applicable outside of this novels setting. It is also important to note that the theme of sacrifice is closely tied into resurrection.

    Read More

  • A Tale of Two Cities Book Report

    1471 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sacrifice, even when it comes to one’s ultimate end, is crucial in order to survive as a productive race. In the book Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, he illustrates the hardships of the early-nineteenth-century lifestyles. With the resurrection of an evicted man, the novel sprouts from a broken family recovering and growing. This novel incorporates many grand gestures and adventures, such as the French Revolution, treason trials, and the sacrifice of one’s own life in the name of love.

    Read More

  • Theme of Resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities

    946 Words  | 2 Pages

    Resurrection is a common theme for stories. In order for someone or something to be resurrected, it must first be created and then dilapidated. The focus in A Tale of Two Cities is on the dilapidated and resurrection portion of this pattern. There are a myriad of examples in this novel of resurrection. Specific people, groups of people, and even France are all examples of resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities. The theme of resurrection applies to Sydney Carton and Dr. Manette in A Tale of Two Cities written by Charles Dickens.

    Read More

More about The Redemption Of Lucie Manette In A Tale Of Two Cities

Open Document