Introduction
A Tale of Two Cities is a classic novel written by the famous English writer Charles Dickens. This novel signify violence during the French revolution, vengeance and sacrifice for love. It was first published in the year 1859.
Themes
- Sacrifice – Sacrifice is a very prominent theme in the novel. It was the sacrifice of Sydney Carton which saves life of the protagonist Charles Darney. His sacrifice is due to his love for Lucie. This sacrifice sents a message of love and care in the atmosphere of violence, vengeance and blood thirstiness.
- Love – The theme of love is significant in the novel. This theme is highlighted by the love by Sydney Carton for Lucie Manette. For his love he sacrificed himself. He saves life of Charles Darney when he is captured by french revolutionaries. Instead of Darney he chose death for himself. When a seamstress asks him before the hanging that all this for Charles Darney, he replies ‘And for Lucie and her daughter’.
- Vengeance – The novel has a strong theme of vengeance. The vengeance of Madam Defarge towards aristocrats in general and Evremonde family in particular. This was due to the Evremonde brothers raped and killed her sister and killed her brother too. Charles Darney is descendant of Evremonde family, his father and uncle did that heinous crime. Hence she wants to take revenge for that against Charles Darney. Later on she included names of Lucie and Dr. Manette too for revenge as they have become part of Evremonde family after Lucie married Darney.
- French Revolution – The novel has background of the French revolution. The story moves along with the action happening in the revolution. The fall of bastille, murder of king and queen, excessive use of guillotine, action against aristocrats etc. are some important events of the French revolution. Hence this theme is mixed with the story.
- Resurrection – There is a theme of resurrection in the novel. Dr. Manette comes out of his imprisonment and madness. This was a sort of new life for him. Sydney Carton finds himself resurrected by his sacrifice as his life became useful to someone he loves. Hence he finds a new life after death, an altered image for himself. Jerry Cruncher dogs graves and sell the dead bodies to scientists. It’s a sort of resurrection. Hence he is also called as resurrection man.
Characterization
There are lot of characters in the novel. Characters of Charles Darney, Lucie Manette, Sydney Carton and Madam Defarge are significant. The character of Sydney Carton has remarkable development from the beginning to the end. He was a fallen person, engaged in drinking, hardly had any purpose in the life. From such state he not only saved Charles Darney but also sacrificed his life. His sacrifice is the zenith of his moral development. Dr Manette was a sort of madman at the onset of novel restored to a responsible family man by the end who did his best for getting Darney out of the prison. Madam Defarge a person seems apathetic, doing her knitting, turns out to be a ferocious woman full of vengeance. Characters like Jarvis Lorry, Jerry Cruncher and Miss Pross also plays crucial roles in the story.
Significance of the Title
The title of the novel is apt and draws geographical extent of the story. The two cities in the title are London and Paris. All the significant action of the novel happen in these two cities only. It is London which is a safe heaven for the public as Paris has become blood thirty land. Hence this story is whatever happens in these two cities after 1775 for two decades.
Plot Structure
The novel has a classic five part plot Structure i.e. Exposition, Rising action, Climax, Falling action and Resolution. Exposition describes social and political background of the story. Rising action introduces main characters and conflict between revolutionaries and aristocracy is unfolded. Climax shows death sentence to Charles Darney, Falling action comprises Sydney Carton swapping himself with Charles Darney, sacrifices himself to save family of his love Lucie. At the end Resolution comprises peace and redemption to Sydney Carton and a promise of better life to Charles Darney and his family.
A Historical Novel
It’s a historical novel as it has background of a famous historical even i.e. The French Revolution. Charles Dickens has merged history with fiction beautifully.
Conclusion
A Tale of Two cities is a classical novel and probably the finest of Charles Dickens. It has historical background, love, hatred, vengeance and suspense. Characters are beautiful portrayed and story develops at good pace, reveals secrets at the very end.
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