Tale of Two Cities
By: Beau Overman
There are several themes in the 19th century novel A Tale of Two Cities, but one of the most important is transformation. Charles Dickens uses multiple characters and scenarios to manipulate the actions of others. He believes that all people have the ability to change for the better no matter how they’re brought up. In the story, you will see how far people will go for others.
Sydney Carton is first described at Darnay's trial as not paying attention to what's going on, sort of a fool. He is depicted as a drunk, and even admits this to Darnay on their outing. However, they say love is strong, Carton's love for Lucy changed him greatly though the course of the novel. He stopped drinking when he visited, and even pledged his life to her, and to anybody she loved. Carton’s words would soon be put to the test. Carton took the identity of Charles Darnay, Lucy’s husband, who was imprisoned for treason. Carton did as he said he would and sacrificed his life so Lucy could be with the man she loved. He snuck Darnay out and rushed them to England so he and his family could be saved. Carton then proceeds to face the guillotine. The man who seemed to have no reason in living, decided to give his own life so t woman of his dreams could be happy.
Another interesting change took place in the character of Madame Defarge. She is first portrayed as a woman of principle who is helping her husband with the revolution. However, Madame Defarge makes a drastic change from supporting character to antagonist when she is revealed to hatred of the Darnay/Evermonde bloodline. She is shown to be cruel and petty, not the compassionate woman one would assume of her. She wants nothing more than to end the bloodline of Evermonde, and her drive for revenge, results in her death. While trying to kill the wife of Evermonde, the housekeeper risks her life to protect her beloved daughter-like figure. Miss Pross accidentally pulls the trigger on a pistol that Madame Defarge had strapped to her chest. Finally, the French people themselves start out as poor and miserable victims of a