The Role of Resurrection in A Tale of Two Cities

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Introductory

The theme of resurrection plays a vital role in signifying the plight of Parisians in A Tale of Two Cities. Resurrection is a term which deals with the rebirth of a person even after death or as another person's son or daughter. There are three characters which are resurrected as a result of positive love and devotion. Basically, resurrection is a Christian concept and is noticeably associated with Jesus Christ.

Dr. Manette

Mr. Alexander Manette is the father of Lucie Manette. But unfortunately, his memory has been blanked by the severe imprisonment in the castle of Bastille. Such mental tortures make him forget that once, he had a beautiful and peaceful life in doctorey in 1757 but he is locked just after a week because of opening the tyrannical secrets of the Evrémondes. His eighteen years solitary (lonely) confinement and lack of human contact and natural light drives him mad and he resorts to the unbearable pangs of shoe-making. This is how he leads the rest of his confinement until he is released as "a broken man" through his old friend Defarge. He is "recalled to life" through the untiring efforts of his loving daughter Lucie Manette but his resurrection takes a serious period of time:

Not yet trusting the tones of her voice, [as] she s[its] down on the bench beside him. He recoil[s], but she la[ys] her hand upon his arm. A strange thrill str[ikes] him when she d[oes] so, and visibly passe[s] over his frame.

Mr. Alexander is back on his duty as a doctor and he immediately regains his lost confidence. He becomes an influencer among the Defargians which helps the captivated Charles Darnay release from the imprisonment "only for once". But this is a huge mental improvement because it is almost impossible to fully recover from the mental confinement. So, it is resurrection as Dr. Menatte is once again reborn as a doctor and influencer for their family.

Jerry Cruncher

Jerry Cruncher is a Messenger in Tillson's Bank which has its branches in both the cities of "light and darkness" (London and Paris, of course). But he has his terrible secret hidden in his digging instruments. He digs out the dead-bodies from graves of the persons who have been condemned in the court of England. He, then sells the sculptures to medical institutes. He is also training his son to perform this callousness. His personality proves to be a sharp contrast on the theme of resurrection but he redeems himself from such robbery for the sake of his wife (and family).

Sydney Carton

A philosopher minded prophetic person who "care[s] for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for" him. But the first segment of this quote is ironical. He actually cares for the people around him. His practicality in loving someone paves his ways for (the actual) resurrection in this tale. He loves Lucie Manette wholeheartedly and instead of hating his "adversary", he loves him too. In fact, he makes his ways to La Guillotine just to protect Charles Darnay and safeguard the peaceful atmosphere of Darnay's family. His resurrection has a close resemblance to the resurrection of the Christ as he not only repeats the words, "I am the resurrection and I am life" but he practically proves it by making Mr. Darnay and himself (in the form of Sydney Darnay) "recalled to life" through his "far far better thing".

Charles Darnay

Mr. Charles serves as a resurrection for the French Evrémonde aristocracy by making his conscience alive, leaving his heritage on dust and serving as a French tutor. His family is known for the tyrannical showdowns in the city of Paris but his family vanishes in the mist of Revolution.

Conclusion

Resurrection is the key tool of the novel which is exhibited by some major characters in their own ways to save the 'love'.