Sacrifice for Love in a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

The French Revolution was a period between 1789 and 1799 when the lower class overthrew the aristocracy. A Tale of Two Cities written by Charles Dickens in 1859 occurs during the French Revolution. In the desperate time of the French Revolution, especially in this novel, individuals were willing to make sacrifices for the love of their families, their safety, and their country. Dickens represents this throughout the novel. In A Tale of Two Cities, many sacrifices, such as Dr. Manette sacrificing his sanity to save Charles Darnay, Miss Pross sacrificing her hearing to keep Lucie safe, and Sydney Carton making the ultimate sacrifice by substituting himself for Darnay at the Guillotine, are made for love. First, Dr. Manette, from his†¦show more content†¦She says, â€Å" ‘I feel†¦ as if there had been a flash and a crash, and the crash was the last thing I should ever hear in life’† (288). For love, Miss Pross is willing to make a sacrifice to keep Lucie safe on her journey. As shown here, love is a force strong enough to lead one to make a sacrifice and to conquer hate. Miss Pross’ immense love and need to keep Lucie free from harm leads her to sacrifice her hearing, a small price to pay for the life of her Ladybird. Finally, Sydney Carton makes the ultimate sacrifice by substituting himself for Charles Darnay out of love for Lucie. Carton is an abandoned soul, who sees himself unworthy for Lucie to reciprocate the love he feels for her. Nevertheless, he expresses his love, in addition to his desire for her not to have similar feelings for him. At the same time, he makes a vow, â€Å"†¦I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you†¦think now and then there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you† (117). He commits himself out of pure love, the kind of love where one cares only about the other’s happiness. His promise to sacrifice himself for Lucie and her family is exacted later in the novel when he trades places with Charles Darnay, whom Carton identifies to Lucie as â€Å"A life you love† (260). In Darnay’s place waiting for the Guillotine, Carton’s purpose in life to care for Lucie is fulfilled. There, a seamstress recognizes Carton as not being Darnay whenShow MoreRelatedSydney Carton, A Complex Character1216 Words   |  5 PagesSydney Carton, a Complex Character Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, reveals a person that is so complex that students of British Literature still have not fully understood Sydney Carton’s character. Dickens introduces him to the reader as an arrogant, frustrated, no account barrister who lives through the lives of others. 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