A Tale of Two Cities
Throughout the book, A Tale of Two Cities the theme of
sacrifice is used to help the reader realize the cost of
life, as well as to develop the plot through the effects of those
sacrifices. Through the characters of Sydney Carton,
Dr. Manette, and
Ms. Pross the theme of sacrifice is developed. The theme of sacrifice brings key aspects of the plot together, and Carton's sacrifice brings the novel to closer in the end.
Sydney Carton laid down his life for a man who had never done anything for him and who in fact had abused his relationship. Both Carton's and Jesus' sacrifice was inspired by a deep desperate
love for which they were willing to do anything. Carton was willing to die for Lucie because of his desperate, scandalous love for her, just as Jesus showed his love for man when he was willing to give up his life for every man. This level of love makes the sacrifice even more valuable and brings things to closure.The role of Carton's sacrifice in the plot is that the cost of life is sometimes high.
Dr. Manette also sacrificed much of his life by giving up his own personal goals and agenda for Lucie. He did anything he could to save Darnay from death, even to the point where Madame Defarge mocked him. Dr. Manette had always been suspicious about Darnay, but he put aside his doubts in to Make Lucie happy. Deep down he knew that Darnay was an Evermondé, but he sacrificed his own feelings for Lucie's feelings. Thirdly, Dr. Manette gave up all of his desires, hopes, thoughts of revenge for Lucie. He had years of anger and revenge stored up him from when he was imprisoned, yet he forgot about all of it and only tried to make Lucie happy and make up for the many years he had lost. His pain was so great that he often reverts to the insanity that was caused from his imprisonment, while he still does everything he can even though his pain is so great that he can not physically control it. Manette laid down his life so that Lucie could fully live.
Ms. Pross sacrificed her life day by day for Lucie to have a better life. Ms. Pross simply devoted her life to Lucie, and her well being. She did everything she could so that Lucie could have the best possible life. Ms. Pross sacrificed her hopes and dreams so that Lucie might have her own hopes and dreams fulfilled. She did not have all the beauty and fortune in the world, but she lived so that Lucie might someday. Her ultimate sacrifice of devotion was when she put her own life at risk to save Lucie's along with others, as she struggled with Madame Defarge to protect their safety. Because Ms. Pross was diligent enough to make sure that Lucie's trip was safe; Lucie's life was saved, at what could have cost Ms. Pross her life. By her willingness to do anything for Lucie, Lucie's life was saved.
Ultimately, it was the sacrifices made by people like Ms. Pross and Sydney Carton that allowed people to live. Through their numerous sacrifices, the value of life is measured in A Tale of Two Cities, and their sacrifices give life to a time that was filled with much more death than life.
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