Self-Sacrifice In A Tale Of Two Cities

Self-sacrifice (noun): the giving up of one's own interests or wishes in order to help others or advance a cause. This definition is plain and simple, but self-sacrifice itself is not unless there is love involved. Charles Dickens' novel, "A Tale of Two Cities," explores the profound theme of resurrection through the characters’ acts of self-sacrifice and love. The lives of the characters overlap while each is on their own journey of resurrection during the times of the French Revolution. Their experiences show the life-changing effect of selfless devotion and the keen impact it can have on not only individuals but society as a whole. Characters such as Dr. Manette, Sydney Carton, and common French folk from Charles Dickens' “A Tale of Two

Alexandre Manette serves as a primary example of resurrection through love and sacrifice. Dr. Manette was falsely imprisoned for many years because he was planning to report French aristocrats, but this experience caused him to be poor and disheveled. He was imprisoned before the beginning of the French Revolution even though he was trying to help the people of France. After living through years of unjust imprisonment in the Bastille, he is rescued by his daughter, Lucie. Lucie's unwavering devotion and selflessness to her father become the catalyst for Dr. Manette's resurrection. Lucie prepares to go rescue her father after finding out he is in fact not dead, but alive and in prison. When she brings him back from prison, Dr. Manette starts to cry while remembering all that he had left behind while being in prison, Lucie comforts him. An example of this is in Book 1: Chapter 6, “He readily responded to his daughter’s drawing her arm through his, and took–and kept–her hand in both his own.” (52) Lucie's tender care for her father inspires him to rebuild his life, symbolizing a resurrection brought about by love after one’s

He seems to be very intelligent and talented but struggles with mental battles that may or may not come from his parents passing away when he was younger. Sydney Carton's sacrifice is to put all his personal hardships behind him and give Lucie Manette his unrequited love. Lucie marries a man by the name of Charles Darney, who similarly resembles Carton. Carton has struggled with this because their personalities differ so greatly, but their looks are extremely similar. Carton, even when not able to have Lucie Manette as his wife, ultimately embraces the opportunity to sacrifice himself for the happiness of Lucie and her family. In Book 3: Chapter 13, Carton visits Darney in his prison cell and says, “ ‘It would be madness if I asked you to escape; but do I? When I ask…shake out your hair like this of mine!’ ” (360) Carton’s willingness to swap clothes with Darney and get sent to the guillotine instead of Darney shows the ultimate act of love, self-sacrifice, and achieves his personal resurrection. He did this to cause Lusie less pain of losing her husband and so somebody can be there to watch out for their child. His selfless sacrifice not only brings redemption to his own self-struggles in his life but also impacts the lives of those he leaves behind for the