“For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything” (Dickens 117). Sydney Carton says these words in Charles Dicken’s novel, A Tale of Two Cities. He, along with other characters, makes sacrifices for the people he loves. These actions show that it is in a human’s instinct to be kind. Many sacrifices executed in the name of love exhibit the intrinsic goodness of human nature, as seen in the actions of Dr. Manette, Miss Pross, and Sydney Carton. Though it is difficult for him to do so, Dr. Manette sacrifices his shoemaking tools to prevent him from relapsing for Lucie’s sake. After nine days of delirious shoemaking, Doctor Manette recovers and asks Mr. Lorry, “You spoke of his daughter. Does his daughter know of the relapse?” (154). He …show more content…
Earlier in the book, after he professes his love for her, he promises, “For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything” (117). Carton keeps his promise by later giving his life to save Darnay’s. His plans are foreshadowed when he whispers, “A life you love” (260) to Lucie and kisses her while she is unconcious. He is referring to Darnay’s life, whom he plans to save by trading places with him since they are doppelgangers. Carton loves Lucie dearly and cannot stand to see her in so much pain because of Darnay’s impending death. After he is executed, a woman asks for some paper to write down her sudden inspiration before her beheading. If he had gotten the chance to do so, Carton would have written, “I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous, and happy, in that England which I shall see no more” (292). He sees Lucie, Little Lucie, Mr. Lorry, Darnay, Doctor Manette, Miss Pross, and everyone else he loves. Though he is not remembered in Paris other than as another head on a pike, in the hearts of Lucie and her future generations, he is cherished for his noble and truly kind action. Carton’s sacrifice for Lucie and her family exhibits the natural kindness within all
The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, represents many things but the sacrifices the characters make are some of the most important things that happen in this novel. When people make sacrifice of things in their lives they begin to sometimes feel loneliness and/or regret for their actions or decisions. Also because they are lonely their actions become different from that of other people who don’t have large amounts of loneliness and/or regret in their lives because we must sacrifice some things in life. To begin with, when we sacrifice things in our lives, it creates the potential for loneliness. For instance when the men in the bunkhouse pressure Candy into getting rid of his dog when he finally says “”Awright-take ‘im.”
In many works of literature, the main character must sacrifice something significant to attain approval from one. However, they may realize that the sacrifice will cost more than what he or she is trying to gain. In the novel, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, the main character, Amir sacrifices his friend, Hassan, to gain Baba’s love. Though Amir was born into a wealthy Afghan family with everything that he ever needed, his life is empty, as he feels deprived of connection with Baba, due to Hassan’s existence. Through cowardice, Amir uses Hassan to achieve what he wanted for all his life; however, Amir realizes that his selfishness cost him his happiness.
Most of the time sacrifices are driven by some type of love, strength or necessity. It is done by giving up something good for the better, whether for yourself or, another person. In the real world, the idea of selfless sacrifice is shown through the soldiers that fight for their country. Not only does this idea appear in the real world, but also the literary world where one character’s act of courage to make a sacrifice becomes an important variable in the novel. One such novel is Veronica Roth’s Allegiant.
A Meaningful Bad Life Sacrifice. Giving something up for the sake of something else. In Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, many characters make small sacrifices throughout the novel. However, Sydney Carton’s sacrifice is one that is set apart from any other. In the final chapters of the novel, Carton makes the ultimate decision to trade spots with Charles, a desired victim of the guillotine, which leads to his death.
Just as America was not founded as its own nation without outside influence, the customs and traditions practiced by the colonists were not originally created by the Puritans. Because they emigrated from Europe, it is only logical to trace back their witch-hunting customs to early Europe. Jensen suggests that ritual sacrifices grow more common as the society around individuals suffers a disturbance, either internal or external. This idea serves as a bridge between the taboo practice of sacrifice and the frequent use of scapegoats that allows society to blame their problems on innocent groups. As referenced by Jensen, social scientist Trevor Roper (1967) believes that witches were sought after as scapegoats for the Wars of Religion.
Nearing the end of Stage Four when Mirabella must leave St.Lucy’s for her behavior at the ball, Claudette packed a “tin lunch bail for [Mirabella]: two jelly sandwiches on saltine crackers, a chloroformed squirrel, a gilt-edged placard of St.Bolio” and left it with a little note (Russell 245). This discernable care for Mirabella and ability to make a lunch and most importantly, write a note shows Claudette’s amnetity with her newly attainable
Dickens uses Manette to show the impact of revenge and forgiveness on people. The Doctor’s ability to forgive and let his daughter, Lucie, marry Charles Darnay even though his family was the reason that he was imprisoned for twenty years brings happiness to not only himself but also to Lucie and her new family. If he had instead chosen to seek revenge, he would have hurt Lucie and ruined her and Charles’ relationship. This shows the healing power of forgiveness and the destructive power of revenge. The strength that the Doctor displays when attempting to free Charles from prison shows the theme that your worth is determined by your impact on the lives of others.
It is evident that life is a constant battle, is regularly unjust and appalling, but if one can endure through these things there is truth, power and beauty that gives oneself a true meaning for their existence. Putting others before oneself can be a difficult sacrifice, but it builds the strength of character. Different characters in “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini demonstrate such selflessness, as well as perseverance and strength. To begin with, Mariam is one character who demonstrates most if not all of these character traits, especially selflessness. She willingly makes major sacrifices for Laila and her children, as well as taking responsibility for their abusive husband, Rasheed’s death despite knowing that she will be punished.
Lucie and Madame Defarge differ in their character traits, but are similar in their devotion to their goals. Lucie is a very loving, caring and gentle person. In the year 1775, Jarvis Lorry, an English businessman and an old acquaintance of Alexander Manette, informs Lucie Manette that her father is still alive and was released from prison. She is absolutely shocked when she hears the news because she thought her father was dead her whole life. They then go to France together to go bring back her father.
To love is to risk. Whether that is risking life, belief, health, or reputation, it is still a risk at any rate to give devotion to another. No era in history knows this better than during the Holocaust. Still, the most unexpected of people would die trying to help Jews escape persecution, they would help others who didn't share the same moral foundation as they did, they would share food rations when they barely had enough for themselves, or they would risk their public standing and forever be labeled as a sympathizer just to help a suffering soul regain his balance. Similarly, Markus Zusak's The Book Thief demonstrates a complete comprehension of how humans act against self preservation and individual comfort when challenged with harrowing situations that appeal to their own personal connections.
Throughout the book, Lucie worries about her father, but he always reassures her that he is well. For instance, Lucie worries that her father might not be happy about her marriage to Charles Darnay. Her father comforts her by stating, “My future is far brighter, Lucie, seen through your marriage, than it could have been—nay, than it ever was—without it"(193). Mr. Lorry and Miss Pross also comfort Lucie out of great care and loyalty to her and her family. Before she leaves, Lucie worries about her father once again.