Sydney Carton And Dr Manette example essay topic

In the novel, "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, the theme of resurrection is constantly developed as a variety of characters are brought back to life from the seemingly inevitable grasp of death. Charles Dickens emphasizes his belief in the possibilities of resurrection and transformation, both on a personal level and a societal level. Some characters in this novel are emotionally and mentally resurrected, such as Dr. Manette, Jerry Cruncher, and Sydney Carton. On the other hand, other characters are physically resurrected, like Charles Darnay, who is saved from death in three separate occasions. The first character to begin an emotional resurrection in this novel is Dr. Manette.

Dr. Manette is first introduced as one held from captivity in the clutches of the Defarges' for eighteen miserable years. However, later it turns out that this is just another injustice forced upon the French people by the aristocracy. Dr. Manette goes through drastic changes throughout the entire novel with the help of his loved ones, and especially Lucie. Dr. Manette is transformed from a mindless man, segregated from society, into an affectionate man of distinction. Dr. Manette's transformation and resurrection begins with his release from prison after being "buried alive" for eighteen years.

His lifestyle undergoes great change with the help of Lucie. Lucie nurses Dr. Manette back to life, happiness, and health as he expresses in this quote, "Lucie... for loving you better than words can tell, and thanking God for my great happiness. My thoughts, when they were wildest, never rose near the happiness that I have known with you, and that we have before us". (Dickens 191) Another character that is resurrected in a mental and emotional sense is Jerry Cruncher. Jerry Cruncher, an odd-job-man for Tellson's Bank, is short-tempered, superstitious, and dim-witted.

From the start one sees Jerry Cruncher is up to something during the night. One later discover that Jerry Cruncher gets some quick cash by working as a "Resurrection-Man", someone who digs up dead bodies and sells them to doctors for research. Furthermore, Jerry gets exceptionally irritated when his wife prays because he always assumes that she is praying against him, and he certainly doesn't wish for God to be against him especially when he is "grave robbing". Nevertheless, Cruncher is resurrected because in the end of the novel he learns to control his anger. He finally allows his wife pray, and realizes it is not against him. He also retires from his night job as a "Resurrection Man".

Instead he embarks on a new crime less life and a new relationship with his wife as he states here", "First", said Mr. Cruncher, who was all in a tremble, and who spoke with an ashy and solemn visage, "them poor things well out o' this, never no more will I do it, never no more!" ... Second: them poor things well out o' this, and never no more will I interfere with Mrs. Cruncher's flopping, never no more!" (Dickens 355) Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat, isn't mentally resurrected like the past two characters, but he is physically resurrected, not only once, but on three different occasions in this novel, once by Dr. Manette, and twice by Sydney Carton. Darnay was first "resurrected", or saved from death by Sydney Carton. Carton helped convince the jury into freeing Darnay from treason, a crime that Darnay never committed. Next Darnay was "resurrected" with the help of Dr. Manette's testimony. Almost none of the prisoners were released or even given a fair trial, but Dr. Manette's influence and position in the Revolution gave him more power and saying over the outcome of Darnay as stated in this quote, "Doctor Manette was the next questioned.

His high personal popularity, and the clearness of his answers, made a great impression". (Dickens 282) Finally Darnay was "resurrected" a third and final time when Sydney Carton took his life for Darnay. Death was almost unavoidable for Darnay, and was almost breathing down Darnay's neck when Carton snatched Darnay and took his place because of the promise he had made Lucie, .".. think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you". (Dickens 156) Carton kept his promise and took his own life for a person that Lucie loved. This brings me to the last character that was resurrected in this novel. Sydney Carton is different from all these other characters.

Carton is resurrected in a spiritual sense. Carton is not truly resurrected himself like the other characters, but in the minds of others. At first Carton is seen as an alcoholic attorney who has no purpose in life. He by no means wishes to help himself out, but enjoys helping others. He makes a promise to Lucie, a woman he loves, that he will risk his life to save one she loves in the beginning of the novel. Carton fulfills his promise in the end of the novel by sacrificing himself for Darnay.

By taking this walk to the guillotine for Darnay, Carton becomes a Christ-like figure. Carton's life finally gains meaning and importance. Carton knows this as well as he states this before his death, "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". (Dickens 367) Carton will be resurrected in the hearts and minds of those who he has died to save. One can already see Carton being "reborn" in Lucie and Darnay's child, Carton, who would never have been born if not for Carton.

France is in a sense resurrected by the end of this novel. The aristocracy greatly abused their power, which angered the French people and started the Reign of Terror. In the beginning of the novel the aristocracy controlled France, the Revolution brought an end to this by giving the citizens and bourgeoisie more power because most of the aristocracy was put to death. The death of the old regime in France prepares way for a new and renewed Paris as Carton envisions from the guillotine. Carton prophesies all of this from the guillotine, "I see... long ranks of the new oppressors who have risen on the destruction of the old, perishing by this retributive instrument, before it shall cease out of its present use. I see a beautiful city and brilliant people rising from the abyss...

". (Dickens 366) Dickens really emphasizes the theme or motif of resurrection in this novel because the French Revolution brought a change or "resurrected" France. By using all of these individual character resurrections Dickens helps the reader understand the motif and what France has undergone. He shows, through the actions of characters and the turbulent changes in France, that love can save all.

He also show that it is never too late be saved or "resurrected". As illustrated through the novel's characters, Sydney Carton and Dr. Manette, even the hopelessly lost and broken can again be "recalled to life" by love and duty. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.