Resurrection Of Sydney Carton Essay

In Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens portrays the concepts of resurrection through the development and noble actions of Sydney Carton. Carton’s growth throughout the book was an important stepping stool in him realizing many things about life that led him to make his final important decision. He seems to realize the meaning of resurrection and takes it on himself to humbly show what he believes. Thus, even while staring at death in the face, he finds himself at a state of peace; assured of what he is doing and what is to happen because of it-- Christ, likewise. It becomes clearer that Dickens essentially utilized Carton’s journey as a crucial build-up to the moral of the story.

Initially, Carton is portrayed as nothing more than a Jackal who seems to become so much less than his potential gives him credit for. However, as the story progresses Carton’s character is given more dynamic and more redeeming qualities. As he begins to develop feelings for Lucie, Carton is confirmed to be more than the apathetic, stoic being first shown in trial. Dickens expresses this in Carton during his discussion with Lucie by saying, “There is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love” (159).

Before he steps forward in taking the blade he thinks: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done, it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known” (390). Resurrection, he understood, was not exactly life after death but life because of death. Throughout the novel, Dickens deliberately portrays Carton as a Christ-like figure, making verses reoccur in internal and external dialogue such as: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John