Tale Of Two Cities Resurrection Essay

HOOK NEEDED. In the Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities, the concept of resurrection is explored. The novel takes place from 1775 to 1793, which is before and during the French Revolution. Dickens uses the concept of resurrection figuratively as people and things are not literally brought back from the dead. Throughout the novel, many characters undergo major changes and become “resurrected” as in a new and better version. The concept of resurrection plays a major role in the novel because many characters experience resurrection such as Dr. Alexandre Manette, Charles Darnay, and Sydney Carton, and in addition, the country of France experiences resurrection.

Frenchman Alexandre Manette is resurrected by being released from prison and

Doctor Manette is falsely imprisoned for eighteen years at the Bastile because he knows about the crimes that the evil Evrémonde brothers committed and threatens to tell the authorities, so the Evrémondes imprison him. Jarvis Lorry asks Dr. Manette, “I hope you care to be recalled to life?” and Dr. Manette replies, “I can’t say,” which shows that Dr. Manette is so broken and distraught from prison that he is not happy nor realizing that he is free from prison (Dickens 54). Jarvis Lorry asks Dr. Manette if he is happy to be released after his grueling sentence, and the broken and distraught Manette answers that he can’t say. This shows that the abusive legal system of France is taxing on the prisoners, most of which have committed minor crimes or like Dr. Manette, no crimes. Dr. Manette, devoid of any personality, is a product cruel legal system that needs major reform. Dickens uses Dr. Manette as an example of resurrection because even after rotting in a jail cell and giving up all hope, he is able

Throughout the novel, Sydney Carton is portrayed as a drunken who has no purpose in life. While awaiting his death, Sydney Carton says, “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,” which shows that Carton has accepted that he will sacrifice himself because of his love for Lucie (Dickens 386). Carton’s persona is resurrected after he dies because people will now remember him as a hero rather than a drunkard. He is also spiritually resurrected because he has made peace with himself after his wasted life. This shows that even terrible and useless people can end their lives on a positive and heroic note through helping others and making inner-peace. The country of France undergo resurrection because at the start of France is shown as a society that has unnecessary cruel punishments and a country “making paper money and spending it” (Dickens 8). This shows that France is a country in need of major reform because of the corrupt government and unjust legal system. About a decade later, Ernest Defarge tells fellow revolutionaries, “Patriots and friends, we are ready! The Bastille!” which is an event in the novel that shows the citizens of France stepping up to the aristocracy and monarchy in a violent manor. This shows that there will be violence and blood in the revolt,