A Tale of Two Cities Resurrection Theme

A Tale of Two Cities Resurrection Essay

“Recalled to Life” is a phrase used by Charles Dickens to symbolize resurrection. Dr. Manette, Jerry Cruncher, and Sydney Carton each experience their own for of resurrection in the novel. Out of all the themes in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, resurrection affects each character in their own unique way.

“I hope you care to be recalled to life?”(pg 54). This quote is said to Dr. Manette by Jarvis Lorry. Dr. Manette was a political prisoner who was in the Bastille for 18 years. Over the years, his condition deteriorates until he forgets his real name and mindlessly makes shoes to pass the time. He was put under the care of Ernest Defarge, a wine shop owner. When Mr. Lorry brings Lucie to see her father, her golden hair brings him back to life from his almost “dead” state. He ends up becoming as confident and glorious as he was before being imprisoned. “His streaming white hair, his remarkable face, and the impetuous confidence of his manner, as he put the weapons aside like water, carried him in an instant to the heart of the concourse of the stone” (pg 272).

Jerry Cruncher had a different experience with resurrection. Jerry was a “resurrection man”, which meant he was a grave robber who stole corpses. Jerry’s wife prayed against him for his “sins”. He often complained,” You’re a nice woman! What do you mean by flopping yourself down and praying agin me?”(pg 60). Jerry grave robs because his job at Tellson’s bank doesn’t give him enough money to support his family. Jerry considered himself to be an “honest tradesman for this reason. When Mr. Lorry discovered that Jerry was a grave robber, he scolded him, but later noticed that Jerry just wanted to feed his family. Jerry promises Miss Pross that he will give up grave robbing when they return home from France.

Sydney Carton’s resurrection is the most dramatic of all the resurrections. Carton started out an alcoholic lawyer, who hid in the shadows of another...