Tale of Two Cities about Sacrifice

The word sacrifice can be viewed differently based on perspective. The meaning of sacrifice can be either for the good or bad. Sacrificing something by your own will shall make you a better person in your own perspective. When something is so close to the heart that you can't just devote your power over someone else's happiness. In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, the character named Sydney Carton plays a very heroic role at the end of the novel. His love towards Lucie Manette devotes him to sacrifice his own life for her happiness while changed him as a person and made him do something beyond his values. The particular sacrifice illuminates the character's values and provides a deeper understanding of the meaning of the work as a whole because the idea evolves around resurrection. The whole meaning of the novel is based on characters being recalled to life. Carton's values in life were always the same but because of the lack of pursing his life, he never really needed to prioritize anything. Thus, Carton's values such as his integrity, reliability, and care for Lucie is shown through his sacrifice of his life which resurrected him into a better person. Sydney Carton's values of integrity have made him a better person. As described by Dickens, Carton is an alcoholic, has lack of respect towards other and just didn't care about life in general. At a young age, his parents died and that made him this way. He always had the motto of?…- I don't care about anyone, so no one cares about me. (Dickens, 87) But, this was Carton before he fell in love with Lucie. Lucie resurrected him in being an honest person from what he was before. The man who said he doesn't care about the anyone later confessed his love for a girl. As stated, O Miss Manette, when the little picture of a happy father's face looks up in yours, when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you! (Dickens, 157). This shows that how Carton knows that he won't be able to have Lucie in his life but wishes for their happiness and well being. Lucie certainly changed Carton in being a better person which changed him from his old self. Also it states that, I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of their descendants, generations hence. This shows that he was not on the same page with Lucie about his love confession but believes that their family will recall him back to life. All in all, this shows that they Carton become a better person by showing his integrity towards Lucie who devoted him in being this way. Reliability was one of the other values of Sydney Carton. It could mean that he kept his promise and is loyal to it. He did make a promise to Lucie that he went to pursue at the end of the book. This has resurrected him as a better person because he did what he promised. As he stated, Be comforted! he said, I am not worth such feeling, Miss Manette. An hour or two hence, and the low companions and low habits that I scorn but yield to, will render me less worth such tears as those, than any wretch who creeps along the streets. Be comforted! But, within myself, I shall always be, towards you, what I am now, though outwardly I shall be what you have heretofore seen me. The last supplication but one I make to you, is, that you will believe this of me. (Dickens, 152) This means that he has a last request that he wants to make and wants Lucie to believe in him. His promise that he made to Lucie will uplift her life. Based on the text it states that, O Miss Manette, when the little picture of a happy father's face looks up in yours, when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you! (Dickens, 153) This proves that he is ready to even give his life away for the ones Lucie cares and loves. His promise indicates the reader that he will sacrifice his life for Lucie's happiness. While he wants to be remembered that he will also a part of Lucie's well being in the future. Thus, Carton becomes a better person which shows his reliability because he kept up with the promise that he made to Lucie. Lastly, Sydney Carton showed his care for Lucie by sacrificing his own life for her happiness. As the previous paragraph states about the promise he made which was that he is ready to give up his life for Lucie or any other member that Lucie cares for. Lucie's husband, Charles Darnay was accused of being a spy and was sentenced to death. But, as Dickens informed the reader that Darnay and Carton looks alike. So, Carton pretends to be Darnay and sacrifices his life for Lucie. As stated, Quickly, but with hands as true to the purpose as his heart was, Carton dressed in the clothes the prisoner has laid aside, combed back his hair, and tied it with the ribbon the prisoner had worn.(Dickens, 350) This shows that he got himself in the form of Darnay which prepared him to sacrifice himself for the love of his life. In addition, his statement that he stated before dying was that It is far, far better thing I do than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known. (Dickens, 372) This shows that he sacrificed his life for the person whom he loved. Lucie's love towards Darnay made Carton sacrifice his life for her because he said that he would give away his life for the ones that Lucie cared about. Overall, Carton's care towards Lucie's happiness led him to give away his life and which made him a better person because he was resurrected into Lucie's life again, as a better person. Conversely, Carton showed his honesty, he kept up with his promise and his care and love towards Lucie devoted him to sacrifice his life for her. He kept up with his values in life and Lucie helped him to be a better person. He showed a great progression from a person he used to be to who he is now remembered as. It is truly what matters that someone believes as their values in life and it's also the good deed that carries your further. Not only has he been recalled to life after his sacrifice but also recalled to life as being an honest person, showed great reliability and most important love and care which emphasized his values in life.

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