Carton's Promise To Lucie example essay topic

April 30, 2001 Resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities In Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities, three of the main characters are resurrected. Lucie, the central woman, is responsible for the resurrections of Sydney Carton, Dr. Manette, and Charles Darnay. She helps them revive from what seems to be hopeless states of life. Sydney Carton, Dr. Manette, and Charles Darnay are all resurrected by Lucie Manette.

In the beginning of the novel, Sydney Carton's life is meaningless. He is a rude, drunk, man who seems to live a pointless life. Carton describes himself as a "self-flung away, wasted, drunken, poor creature of misuse' (154), and states that there is no hope for bettering his life. Sydney wants his life to be validated, to serve a purpose, and Lucie gives him the courage and hope to do so through her love, support, and kindness. Which I entreated you to believe again and again, most fervently, with all my heart, was capable of better things, Mr. Carton! (155).

Carton validates his life by switching places with Lucie's love, Charles Darnay the morning of Darnay' execution. Take off those boots you wear, and draw on these in mine (343). Dr. Manette's life is resurrected after he gets out of prison. Dr. Manette's imprisonment drives him to insanity, and is given another chance through Lucie's love and support. When Lucie and Mr. Lorry bring Dr. Manette back, he is insane, he refers to himself as One Hundred and Five, North Tower (49), his prison cell number.

Dr. Manette expresses his insanity through shoemaking, a hobby he practiced in jail. I am not a shoemaker by trade? No, I was not a shoemaker by trade) (50). He is incapable of functioning by himself in the outside Levine 2 world until Lucie's dedication and unconditional love makes him recover from his deranged state. As time passes, and through Lucie, he is brought back from his insane state of mind... Charles Darnay's life is resurrected by Lucie Manette.

Carton is given the courage and thought of setting Charles free from death because of the impact Lucie has upon Carton, which makes Carton's promise to Lucie fulfilled, and Carton's own life validated for you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything (156). Because Lucie gives her love and willingness to Carton, Which I entreated you to believe again and again, most fervently, with all my heart, was capable of better things, Mr. Carton! (155), Darnay's life is resurrected. Lucie in A Tale of Two Cities play an important role in the lives of Sydney Carton, Dr. Manette, and, Charles Darnay's lives. Those three character's lives would not be the same if it were not for the influence of Lucie.

Carton's life is changed from hopelessness to honor, Manette is changed from insanity to normality, and Darnay's life is spared. The power of love and determination from Lucie is exemplified through the lives of Sydney Carton, Dr. Manette, and Charles Darnay.