Theme of resurrection and renunciation in A Tale of Two Cities

Major Themes of the Novel "A Tale of Two Cities"

Resurrection and Renunciation: A TALE OF TWO CITIES is rich in meaning and significance because it deals with

several themes all of which have been skillfully coordinated and linked with another. Some of these themes are clear

and others are less obvious and need careful examination. Dickens shows grand objectivity of historical events, but also

shows personal projection in the novel.

However, A TALE OF TWO CITIES is a highly impersonal work with multiplicity of themes. Resurrection is

indeed the central theme of A TALE OF TWO CITIES. Resurrection has, of course, a religious association with the

image of Jesus Christ rising from his grave on the third day of his Crucifixion. But here resurrection requires a

worldly meaning. In addition to its religious meaning. Related to this is the theme of renunciation. Dickens makes

use these twin themes in a very elaborate manner. Dickens derived both of these themes from Wilkie Collin’s

play, The Frozen Deep in the performances of which Dickens himself had taken part as an actor.

The resurrection of Dr Manette: First Resurrection: The theme of resurrection is introduced at the very

beginning when Mr. Lorry, who is traveling by the mail-coach top Dover, sends a message to Tellison’s Bank through

the messenger, Jerry Cruncher. The words of Mr. Lorry‘s message are “Recalled to Life”. (Give summary of Dr.

Manette’s story) Mr. Lorry begins to feel drowsy and it seems to him that he is going to Paris in order to dig out a

dead man from the grave where he had been long buried. When Lorry meets Dr. Manette, it is truly a resurrection

or rebirth after death for Dr. Manette. Second Resurrection: Normal life and living with his daughter, starting his

medical practice and his giving up the habit of shoe-making and the return of sanity is his second resurrection.

Charles Darnay’s Resurrection: Darnay’s account of Old Bailey where Dr. Manette, Lucie and Carton are

present and Darnay is resurrected because of Sydney Carton from a serious crime of treason against England.

Darnay’s second resurrection: When he is caught in Paris and is prisoned for fifteen months at La Force and is

resurrected by the influence of Dr. Manette. Darnay’s third resurrection: which is the most important. Dr. Manette’s

written paper discovered from his cell is read out in the court and Darnay is sentenced to death, but his death is

replaced by Sydney Carton, a kind fellow. This is his third resurrection. This time he has almost been taken out of

his grave.

The Resurrection of Carton: Though Carton dies, but he achieves a resurrection in two senses: Firstly, his death

constitutes a spiritual resurrection for him. By this sacrificial death, Carton who has been leading a life of profligacy,

is morally regenerated. This moral regeneration or redemption is a kind of resurrection for him. Secondly, when

Carton conceives his bold plan to save Darnay’s life, the words of the Christian Burial Service are echo in his ears,

“I am the Resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live:

and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Carton had heard these words at the time of his father’s

funeral, and these words now come to him as a promise that the man who believes in Lord Jesus Christ never dies.

These words echo in his ears when he is actually going to be executed. Thus, Carton dies, feeling sure that he will

find himself alive in another world. Carton dies with the certainty of resurrection.

What is the theme of resurrection in tale of two cities?

What is renunciation in A Tale of Two Cities?

What does resurrection symbolize in A Tale of Two Cities?

What is the theme of the resurrection?