Major #Themes of #ATaleofTwoCities
#CharlesDickens
A TALE OF THE TWO CITIES is probably the least “Dickensian” of his fourteen novels in that it has less of the grotesque, fewer characters, more big scenes, and a less complicated plot. Much of the novel’s value lies in its structure, creativity, and explorations of timeless themes. As a #historical novel, it serves as an excellent example of this genre. The fact that Dickens is able to weave the simple lives of ordinary people into the mosaic of a cataclysmic historical event is an indication of his genius, and another reason to read the book. The #themes that are explored in the novel still have relevance today.
#Themes are overarching ideas and
beliefs that the writers use to convey to the readers. #Charles
Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities has themes that are not only
universal but also highly relevant at any time. Some of the major themes
of A
Tale of Two Cities have been discussed below.
Theme 1
#Resurrection
The theme of resurrection and change is
one of the major themes that seem to emerge on both social and personal level.
The character of Sydney Carton and his death saves the life of
Charles Darnay and Lucie Manette. He also saves his name with his heroic act of
going to the gallows to save Darnay. The end of the novel is
suggestive of him regarding his Christ-like resurrection, as he becomes an
icon of sacrifice and heroism for those he has sacrificed his life for.
On a social level, the old status of France appears
to give way to the new France where Carton has sacrificed his life for others. His
final act of great sacrifice tells how Paris and the society in which he
has shown this example will see resurrection. Despite his death and violence in
France against and by the aristocracy, the revival of peace and better society
echoes throughout the novel.
Theme 2
#Sacrifice
Sacrifice is another dominant theme along with
resurrection and an integral part of a happy life in A Tale of Two
Cities. The novel presents the need for sacrifice on a personal as
well as social levels. The revolutionaries sacrifice their own lives and love to
bring revolution. The guard, when he arrests Darnay, reminds Manette that the
interest of the country overrules everything else. Madame Defarge also teaches
her husband the same thing when he expresses his love for Dr. Manette. On a
personal level, Sydney Carton’s personal sacrifice brings happiness to Lucie
and Darnay. Therefore, the need for sacrifice with resurrection is an important
theme of the novel.
Theme 3
#Violence and Oppression
Violence and oppression are two other major themes
of the novel A Tale of Two Cities. The readers can see that the
revolutions bring torture, violence, and mass killings. Although Dickens seems
to support the revolution, his attitude is not clear about the evils
committed by the revolutionaries. The viciousness of the aristocracy, which
Evremonde demonstrates, appears to be the major reason for criticism.
Similarly, the Marquis’ exploitation of the peasants is
shown in a poor light. However, Dickens has also demonstrated their vengeance
following the revolution in which various innocents are crushed such as the
Manettes. In fact, seeking revenge after the revolution is to burgeon another
cycle of violence, revenge, and oppression. The depiction of the dance with
weapons being ground seems to herald a cycle of senseless killing and massacre.
Even the tribunals set up to punish the aristocracy worked working without a
set law.
Theme 4
#Class Conflict
There are two classes in France before the
revolution; the peasants who are at the receiving end and the aristocrats, the
exploiters. When the revolution takes place, the whole social fabric
experiences a rude jolt. The peasants become no less violent than the
aristocracy against them before the revolution because of the long-suppressed
suffering. The rape of the peasants through the Marquis in the pre-revolution
era reverses in the post-revolution era. The class struggle becomes apparent in
the shape of the wine shop of Madam Defarge and Mr. Defarge which becomes a hub
of the anti-aristocratic forces. The burning of the chateau of Evremonde is
a symbol of the fall of the aristocratic norms. The outcome of this
mess comes in the shape of summary execution through guillotines like that of
Carton and vengeance as Mrs. Defarge shows toward the Manette.
Theme 5
#Theme of Fate
A Tale of Two Cities highlights
another theme which is fate. The mention of time at the very start of the novel
presents the idea of fate intertwined with the land and time. Dicken’s method
of referring to trees to form a guillotine in France shows that
something terrible was going to happen. Lucie, though predicts correctly about
the happenings, is fortunate in the end when Darnay is freed. Although Darnay
is caught when he returns to France but is freed after Carton sacrifices his
life for him. Even women were not safe after the revolution and as mentioned, “There were many
women at that time, upon whom the time laid a dreadfully disfiguring hand”.
Theme 6
#Social Injustice
The theme of social injustice is intertwined with
revolution and class discrimination. The novel, A Tale of Two
Cities, presents this theme through different characters. Dr.
Manette does not deserve to be incarcerated for such a long time. The peasant
boy is not destined to be killed and then left deliberately by Marquis St.
Evremonde. This is an extreme type of social injustice that the boy meets.
Moreover, the social injustice going on in Paris is put into contrast with justice in London where
everybody has to accept the rule of law while in Paris even persons like Darnay
and Manette have to go through torture and imprisonment in spite of their
innocence.
Theme #7
Family Preservation
Family and its preservation is another major theme
of the novel. It is clear from Darnay’s advances toward Lucie and her trip to
Paris to meet her incarcerated father. Although she knows the risks involved
and also that her father has lost his memory, she undertakes the journey to
meet him. Even Marquis Evremonde is concerned with the family's reputation
despite knowing that they have done wrong as he says, “we did a world
of wrong.” On the other hand, Defarge, too, plays a vital role in
the pre and post-revolution times using animosity to preserve their family
preservation.
Theme 8
#Reversals of Roles
Revolutions not only bring bloodshed but also reverse the roles of people and classes.The poor become cruel and barbaric, while the aristocrats and exploiters suffer at their hands. Despite being an aristocrat, Darnay becomes a prisoner when he returns to Paris. However, he is freed when Carton sacrifices himself for Darnay due to his love for Lucie. Their roles reverse by the end of the novel, and Sydney Carton replaces Darnay to be hanged.
Theme 9
#Love and Hate
The novel also presents the theme of love and hate
and their interaction. Madam Defarge represents hatred on account of her past
sufferings. Carton and Darnay, on the other hand, exhibit love which they
shower on Lucie while Carton sacrifices his life for love. Lucie’s love for her
father brings him to life from his prolonged incarceration. Therefore, love and
hatred go hand in hand in the novel.
Theme 10
#Revolution
The nature of a
revolution and its impact is another theme of the novel. France was going
through an upheaval. The whole social fabric has turned topsy-turvy as the poor
people like Defarge became revengeful and the aristocrats like Evremonde had
fallen. Even Darnay has to go through many challenges due to his family
connections. The killing spree has led to the deaths of innocents and sinners
alike.
Thus we can say that
the novel contains several major
themes that run throughout the story. Themes of resurrection, social justice, and darkness versus light can be found in abundance.
