Tale Of Two Cities Sacrifice

Certain character’s love for one another in A Tale of Two Cities causes physical and emotional struggles in their lives. These struggles ultimately lead to a variation of sacrifices. Death, humility, and devotion are the key sacrifices made throughout the novel. Sacrifice plays an important role in the lives, beliefs, and behavior of the characters in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

The sacrifices Dr. Manette and Lucie make for each other may go unnoticed, but are of great importance. Lucie goes to great lengths to help her father in his times of struggle. As Dr. Manette is gaining his sanity back after being imprisoned, Lucie devotes herself to him. She disregards personal desires to assist her father whom she thought was once

dead. When Lucie and Manette are reunited Lucie says, “…I hint to you of a home that is before us, where I will be true to you with all my duty and with all my faithful service…” (Dickens 48). Lucy inspires her father, and he, in turn, has patience with Lucy and Darnay. Charles Darnay’s family is the enemy, yet Dr. Manette lets Darnay marry Lucy without an explanation. Dr. Manette knows it is right for Lucy and chooses to not worry about Darnay’s name. He only cares about what is good for his daughter and who Charles is as a person. This is a sacrifice because Darnay’s real family is who imprisoned Manette. Also, a personal sacrifice the doctor makes is giving permission to destroy his shoemaking tools. Shoemaking is the only thing he does while imprisoned, so when he becomes stressed he relapses into shoemaking. Dr. Manette, speaking of Lucie, says, “In her name, then, let it be done; I sanction it” (Dickens 192). This father-daughter relationship proves that even small sacrifices have a great effect.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Darnay sacrifices his wealth and family name.

Darnay chooses a better life than to follow the path of his selfish and cruel uncle, the Marquis Evrémonde. He even rejects his inheritance that comes with keeping his family name. Darnay shows immense responsibility in doing so. His virtue is tested, but Charles proves to have better morals than his uncle. Darnay says to the Marquis, “I believe our name to be more detested than any name in France” (Dickens 116). This statement reassures Charles that even in his lying, he makes the right choice. Furthermore, Darnay’s sacrifice becomes larger when the Evrémonde’s history with Madame Defarge is revealed. A family member of Darnay rapes and kills Madame Defarge’s sister, leading to the death of her father and brother. These deaths create confusion for Darnay in the position he is in, especially when Madame Defarge finds out his true identity. Therefore, Darnay’s original sacrifice leads to a more extensive problem involving Lucie, as well as struggle and violence once again. It is shown that Darnay is aware of the fault in some of his actions when the novel states: “he knew very well, that in his love for Lucie, his renunciation of his social place, though by no means new to his own mind, had been hurried and incomplete” (Dickens 225). Though not always truthful or leading to peace, Charles Darnay makes the right

sacrifices.
The ultimate example of sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities occurs at the end of the novel. Sydney Carton gives up his life for Darnay, and dies out of love for Lucie. Carton has grown close with Lucie, as they have many sincere talks and understandings. They have spent time together and he has come to love Lucie and her daughter. Therefore, when Charles Darnay is wrongfully sentenced to death, Carton tricks him into switching places. The two men look alike and his plan works to keep Darnay alive. Sydney admits his loyalty to Lucie in one of their talks, and even says, “For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything” (Dickens 144). Although Carton’s sacrifice is for Lucie, he knows it is what he must for himself to make up for his life. Sydney Carton seems to be a lazy, alcoholic attorney. Carton acts like he does not care about anything, yet eventually confesses his true feelings to Lucie. Sydney, in his sincerity, tells Lucie, “If my career were of that better kind that there was any opportunity or capacity of sacrifice in it, I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you” (Dickens 144). Carton knows he did not choose the right path for his life, therefore sacrifice becomes his personal destiny.
Sacrifice, whether big or small, impacts another person’s life for the better. The novel is sufficient in examples of sacrifice and the outcome that come with it. Sacrifice has the ability to change a person, or in Carton’s situation set him apart as a better man. Sacrifice and it’s effects are influential in the lives, beliefs, and behaviors of the characters in A Tale of Two Cities.