Tale Of Two Cities Resurrection

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Pages: 5

Resurrection is defined as the act of restoring life. But how is a life restored? Through violence or love, sacrifice or vengeance? Charles Dickens explores this prophetic theme of resurrection in his literary classic “Tale of Two Cities”. The novel centers around the French revolution and the peasant's quest to restore the nation. Mirroring stories reflect a common thread of resurrection. Lucy's relationship with her father, Darnay’s ultimate sacrifice, and Madame Defarge's merciless revenge all expose competing theories of how life is restored.
The French revolution is an influential setting in Tale of Two Cities. Dickens draws many thematic elements from such, one being the theme of resurrection. The French revolution is notorious as
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When Lucie is told of the conditions of her father she is eager to help. When she visits him at the Defarge’s wine shop, he is incoherent. The Dr.Manette that the outside world had to know had died in the Bastille Prison. When she sees the remains of her father Lucie is not afraid. Instead of shying away in fear, she goes to him. She tells him : “If, when I tell you, dearest dear, that your agony is over, and that I have come here to take you from it, and that we go to England to be at peace and rest, I cause you to think of your useful life laid waste, and of our native France so wicked to you, weep for it, weep for it ! (34). She has established herself as his savior. She has saved him from his agony and is compelled to restore his life. Lucie promises to provide her father peace, a comfort he has gone eighteen years without. She promises him a new life. Moreover, she is successful in her promise. Lucie “ had the power of charming this black brooding from his mind. She was the golden thread that united him to a Past beyond his misery, and to a Present beyond his misery..”(60). Lucie was able to free her father from his pain and misery. With her love and compassion, she drew him out of his suffering. Lucie was the Golden Thread, the beauty, and light that kept life together. Her love gave Dr.Manette hope and life. Lucie represents the theory that love and compassion has the power to restore