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Although Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities described life way back before 1800, one theme that is still applicable today is the theme of love, and how love has the power to heal comfort and redeem. This theme is weaved through a few different story lines within the book. In particular, the theme of love having the power to heal, comfort, and redeem is shown through Carton’s character change throughout the book, Lucie and Doctor Manette's relationship, and Miss Pross saving Lucie from Madame Defarge.
Throughout the book, Sydney Carton changes from a selfish alcoholic into a selfless man who sacrifices all for his love of Lucie Manette.
In Chapter Two, Carton states, “I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me” (insert page number).
Carton was drinking heavily, and loved no one. Dickens portrayed Carton as a person that was mean and worthless. Then, Carton begins to fall in love with Lucie, but he knows she would never marry someone like him.
He accepts this after talking to Lucie, but decides to still be close to her.
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It was love for Lucie that made Carton do this selfless act. After Lucie marries Charles Darnay, Carton requests to be friends with Darnay to be able to come over and see his family occasionally. He becomes very close with Lucie and her kids: 'Carton was the first stranger to whom little Lucie held out her chubby arms, and he kept his place with her as she grew.
The little boy had spoken of him, almost at the last.
'Poor Carton! Kiss him for me!' (insert page number and author).
Dickens shows Carton redeeming himself by making amends to Darnay and becoming friends with him and his children. This clearly shows Carton changing his life and being less lonely. Carton also witnesses love and is changed by the power of love. As the story continues Carton continues to see Darnay’s family and becomes a better person. Later in the book, Darnay is sent to jail to be hung. Carton comes up with a plan to switch places with him, and therefore makes the ultimate sacrifice. Before he is executed, he considers his actions: '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.' (374). Carton redeems himself for his past of heavy drinking and anger by saving Darnay. Before he fell in love with Lucie and before he witnessed the love of their family, he would never sacrifice his life. Thus, Dickens shows love having the power to redeem and completely transform a character.
The ability of love to heal is shown by Dickens through the relationship of Doctor Manette and Lucie. When Doctor Manette was released from prison he was in a terrible disgruntled state. His daughter, Lucie, healed him into becoming his normal self again after years of trauma. Dickens describes Lucie as the one who could bring Manette back to a time before his life in prison: “She was the golden thread that united him to a Past beyond his misery, and to a Present beyond his misery: and the sound of her voice, the light of her face, the touch of her hand, had a strong beneficial influence with him almost always” (insert page number and author)”. Doctor Manette is reminded of the normal and happy life he had before his incarceration by Lucie’s presence. He is healed by her love connected with his life of freedom and happiness. When Doctor Manette is released, Lucie promises to to take care of him. They move into a new house together and Doctor Manette begins returning to his old self (Dickens).
Lucie's loyalty and love for Doctor Manette is more powerful than his psychological damage done by his jail sentence. Without Lucie's love, Doctor Manette would never be able to regain sanity. Later in the story, Darnay, Lucie’s husbands is jailed in France. France is in a state of chaos with riots and and violent revolutions. Doctor Manette is viewed as a hero by the revolutionaries and uses his influence to attempt to save Darnay (Dickens). The Doctor would never be able to have done this without being helped by Lucie in getting over his illness. Doctor Manette was helped by Lucie for years and is finally able to help her save Darnay. Dickens shows the power of love through Doctor Manettes recovery from his trauma in prison.
The theme of love having the power to comfort and help is also shown by Dickens through Miss Pross’ actions to Lucie. Miss Pross loves and cares for the Manette family. Miss Pross took care of Lucie during Doctor Manettes jail time. She has taken care of Lucie for years and they have a very strong bond, Miss Pross even refers to her as “my ladybird”. (Dickens) This relationship shows how much Miss Pross loves her and would do anything to comfort her and help her. Miss Pross follows Lucie everywhere and is very loyal to her. When Madame Defarge attempts to kill Lucie, Miss Pross risks her life to save her, “I am desperate. I don't care an English Twopence for myself. I know that the longer I keep you here, the greater hope there is for my Ladybird. I'll not leave a handful of that dark hair upon your head, if you lay a finger on me!' (insert page number and author).
Miss Pross is made deaf by the sound of Madame Defarge’s gun but still ends up killing her. She sacrifices her hearing to make sure Lucie is comfortable and happy. Miss Pross loves the Manette’s so much that she even claimed she has no imagination because of her single minded loyalty, '''Do you imagine--' Mr. Lorry had begun, when Miss Pross took him up short with:'Never imagine anything. Have no imagination at all.''' (insert page and author). Miss Pross focuses on only her love and loyalty to keeping Lucie Happy and comfortable. She is capable of sacrificing everything for her love of Lucie.
In conclusion, a key theme of The Tale of Two Cities is that love has the power to heal, comfort and redeem. Dickens emphasizes this theme through Carton’s dramatic character change throughout the book, Lucie and Doctor Manette's relationship, and Miss Pross saving Lucie from Madame Defarge. This theme is one that continues to apply today, and it is an important universal lesson.
The Power of Love in "A Tale of Two Cities". (2021, Dec 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-power-of-love-in-a-tale-of-two-cities-essay
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