A Tale of Two Cities

Passage-

"I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss, and, in their struggles to be truly free, in their triumphs and defeats, through long years to come, I see the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out."

"I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy, in that England which I shall see no more. I see Her with a child upon her bosom, who bears my name. I see her father, age and bent, but otherwise restored, and faithful to all men in his healing office, and at peace. I see the good old man, so long their friend, in then years' time enriching them with all he has, and passing tranquillity to his reward."

..."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."-Sydney Carton (pg 292-293)

I have chosen this passage because it is a true representation of how Sydney Carton has come full circle and can finally be at peace with himself. Sydney Carton goes through a huge transformation from a lazy lawyer's clerk, into a stand up man during a terrible time. Charles Dickens does compare in this passage Carton to the devastating French revolution. They both mirror one another and when he is gone from this Earth and in peace, eventually France will have peace as well. It is just a very significant and pivotal moment in this book, the ultimate turning point and the ending to make everything better, with the ultimate sacrifice.

This passage definitely highlights the full achievement of character by Carton, and his sacrifice for the people he cared about. Lucie plays a huge part in Carton's realization that his life had almost no meaning. He went through life as only an observer and he really didn't start acting upon his emotions until further in the novel. Lucie aids him in his journey to become a better person and to finally do something of worth. He saves a family from great grief and from the horribleness of separation from the person you love. Carton brings a family together when, in such a difficult time, all that gets you through is family. What Carton gives up, just for a friend to have another chance, is truly amazing. No matter how insignificant his life may have been, he still had to give up everything for someone else, and not many people could do that. He becomes an inspiration and his memory will now live on in great respect, instead of indifference.

My Opinion-

I think that Charles Dickens did a very good job developing these characters, and I really understand their importance to this novel. Each character has a central role in this book and they are very descriptively depicted, which helps the reader understand the language of the book better. The way he describes Marquis Evrémonde in the beginning of this novel is heart wrenching, and really makes me despise that character. As he rides through the streets and he hits a child, and feels no shame in his actions, he can not be human. His actions are so heartless and completely unimaginable, that the way he is described makes my stomach turn. When an author has a way of really getting to you, so much, that you feel sick, that is brilliant writing.

I also love the development of Carton into an actual man with feelings and something that is meaningful to him. Even though, he knows that the person he loves will never love him back, that does not make him bitter, yet somehow it makes him better. He is inspired by Lucie and her loving, caring personality, and he in turn inspires the reader with his devotion to be known for something more. Carton puts the togetherness of a family, before his own life, and no matter what, you have to commend him on that. In my opinion he truly is a hero. Also, the way Lucie helps her father through a time of impending doom, is very admirable. It does show her caring demeanor, and that she really is a good person. She has a way about her that enables her to help the people in her life that are in desperate need of it, and she saves them. I think her character is excellent at helping people and she strives to be there when someone is in need.

I also enjoy how every one's lives in the end are all intertwined and somehow linked to one another, due to great writing. However, I do have to say it was very difficult to read and fully understand at times, because of the time period it was written in. The style and sophistication of his writing, is sometimes hard to follow and it is most definitely not a fast read. It has its pros and cons, however overall it was an alright book.

Symbol-

Madame Defarge's knitting represents the time period and the harshness of the French revolution. Since, she does knit a list of the soon to be victims, this shows her resentment and just overall bitterness throughout this book. She is not a good person and for her families suffering, she inevitably wants others to suffer because of that. She can not get past the revengeful nature of her existence and she represents the bad part of the revolution. She is a symbol of what is wrong with France and is partially to blame for why the revolution is taking place. Madame Defarge just shows the evil that of course has to be somewhere in this novel, and the danger that lurks behind you.