Tale Of Two Cities Essay

According to Wikipedia, the definition of theme used in literature is a broad idea in a story, or a message or lesson conveyed by a work. There can and usually is more than one theme in a literary work, but on main one that sticks out in "A Tale of Two Cities" is resurrection.

Dr. Manette is sentenced to 18 years in prison, and to make it that much worse he must leave his pregnant wife. Over the 18 years his memory comes and goes and let's just say he's not in his best health condition. Once he is released he is "recalled to life." Being that he feels reborn again a piece of him is still missing and will not be completed until he is reunited with Lucy Manette, his daughter.

Charles Darnay has been traveling back and forth from France to England and obviously some have the suspicion that he is a spy because he is on trial in England for treason. Somehow, someway he too is resurrected.

Last but not least, Sydney Carton who has low esteem, with no ambition even though he is a lawyer. Although some may say he had a good career but he never made it in life like he wanted to. Sydney's death assures a new peaceful life for his love Lucy Manette, Charles Darnay, even a better life himself. At this point Carton is often compared to Jesus because he sacrifices his life to save others.

In conclusion, the rebirths and resurrections of Dr. Manette, Charles Darnay, and Sydney Carton show us that sacrifice is necessary to achieve happiness. Is there a point where resurrection becomes impossible? In my opinion, no because the word resurrect does not have to consist of dying and coming back to life. The actual definition is rising above mortality through the understanding of spiritual life. Therefore, anyone can rise above their morals and understand something of a spiritual way.

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