Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities, is considered one of the greatest works in English literature. Set during the time of the French Revolution, it tells a story of love, sacrifice, redemption, and revolution. It follows the lives of two families—both with ties to France and England—whose stories are intertwined through fate over many years.
The narrative begins in 1775, when Doctor Manette returns home after spending 18 years as an unjustly imprisoned prisoner-of-war in Paris. Marquis St. Evremonde, a corrupt member of an aristocracy that oppressed the populace while living opulently themselves, had wrongfully detained him. Doctor Manette reunites with his daughter Lucie, who has grown into adulthood without him. She marries Charles Darnay, a young man from a similar aristocratic background as her father's captor, but unlike those aristocrats, he renounces his family's legacy for justice and freedom. The couple moves back to London, where they live happily until Darnay is accused falsely of treason against Britain. This is a result of Madame Defarge's long-standing grudge against his family name, which sets off circumstances that ultimately result in revolutionary bloodshed.
Throughout this gripping tale, we see characters such as Sydney Carton, whose unrequited love for Lucie drives him through much suffering before he sacrifices himself heroically at its climax; Jerry Cruncher, who uses seemingly unsavory means to make ends meet yet proves his loyalty when he is needed most; Miss Pross, a strong-willed matriarchal figure fiercely devoted to protecting those closest to her heart; and even fictionalized versions of key historical figures like Maximilien Robespierre, who all play their parts in a masterfully crafted plot featuring complex themes. The result is a myriad of human emotions wrapped within a rich tapestry of symbolism, imagery, and language that stands the test of time, making it a timeless classic read today, nearly 170 years after its first publication in 1859.
A Tale of Two Cities is often credited as a starting point for modern-form storytelling techniques that emphasize character development, depth, and emotion. This masterpiece speaks volumes about the powerful struggle between good and evil that every generation faces because of its heavy themes, which still ring true with readers all over the world.