The theme of redemption is exemplified in the sacrificial
death of Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities. As a Christ-like
figure, Carton is the sacrificial victim who dies for the sins of the Evremonde twins
who killed members of the family of Madame DeFarge. In dying for the family of Charles
Darnay, ne Evremonde, Carton also redeems his dissipated life by his act of love for
Lucie in returning to her her beloved husband.
That Sydney
Carton has redeemed himself is evident in the final passages of the novel in which
Carton envisions a child who bears his name on the lap of his dear
Lucie,
a man,
winning his way up in that path of life which once was mine. I see him winning it so
well, that my name is made illustrious there by the light of
his.
This theme of death and
resurrection/redemption has been prevalent through Dickens's novel. First, it is
introduced in Book the First as Dr. Manette is "Recalled to Life," then, it is presented
humorously as Jerry Cruncher, who refers to himself as a "resurrection man,"
contemplates that it would not do for him if men were "recalled to life." Charles
Darnay is imprisoned--buried from society--and then released twice in the novel. And,
finally, it takes another's death to resurrect the life of Charles
Darnay.
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