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Justice In A Tale Of Two Cities

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A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, explores opposing pairs; how two things or people could be so similar but so different simultaneously. By comparing Dr. Manette and Madame Defarge he exposes how different people could deal with justice and unfair circumstances. The two characters were victims of the prejudiced monarchy, however, they value justice completely differently. Dr. Manette forgives while Madame Defarge wants justice and revenge; the old testament versus new testament laws of justice. Dickens compares these to characters to show how lives can be so different because of ones need for justice and revenge. Doctor Manette represents the new testament law of forgiveness. The Evremondes did something truly evil that Dr. Manette tried to expose to the authorities. “ The marquis took from his pocket the letter I had written, showed it to me, burned it… I was brought to my living grave”(Dickens 368). Manette was wrongly imprisoned to cover up the mistakes of the monarchy, more …show more content…

Dr. Manette was more focused on what was right for his family and the love he had. Defarge was always righting her registry, thinking of all the people that they needed vengeance on. “Madame Defarge- who leaned against the door-post, knitting, and saw nothing”(Dickens 53). With the love of Lucie and his friends Dr. Manette was able to overcome the need for justice and revenge, he was happy with how his life was and he didn’t need it to change. Being imprisoned sent him into madness and despair, he didn’t deserve to be in prison though he still chose to forgive. Madame Defarge set her life on getting revenge and those she surrounded herself with wanted the same, she wasn’t able to be changed by love because did not care about anything other than justice. Defarges ruthless drive for justice and revenge makes her strong but eventually, you see that forgiveness and love overpower

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