The Resurrection theme in A tale of Two Cities
             In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, many characters are given second chances as their lives are resurrected from their seemingly hopeless states. The lives of Sydney Carton, Dr. Manette, and Charles Darnay are all resurrected at times when hope seems to have been lost.
             In Book One Chapter Three, Mr. Lorry's dream, in which he is digging a man out of the earth, symbolizes the real-life resurrection that is about to take place in the book. Along with the help of Mr. Lorry and his daughter, Lucie Dr. Manette is first recalled to life after eighteen years of wrongful imprisonment. Dr. Manette is recalled to life once again when Darnay's true identity is revealed to him, causing such fearful memories to be recalled to life that he suffers a mental relapse. He also suffers another mental relapse when the contents of his journal are read in court in Paris, condemning Darnay.
             Charles Darnay is another character that is recalled to life. In book two chapter three, Darnay is on trial but is found not guilty because of his resemblance to Carton. With the jury's acquittal, Darnay has been resurrected from his seemingly certain fate of torture and execution. Charles is again recalled to life when he is tried, then freed in Paris. However, this is very short lived because he is re-arrested that same night and sentenced to death by the guillotine. Then he is once again resurrected from an uncertain death by Carton.
             Sydney Carton seems to be the novels predominant character associated with resurrection. At first, Carton is a drunken man who's life has no meaning. When Darnay is in his cell awaiting his execution Carton views this as the perfect opportunity for him to make his own life meaningful by allowing a person with purpose to live on. So Carton sneaks in to Darnay's cell and trades places with him. By doing this selfless act of kindness, C...