*Tale of Two Cities--Week Seven.

The ending of Tale of Two Cities is somber, yet hopeful for a rejuvenation of the upcoming years post-Revolution. The character of Sydney Carton has evolved immensly throughout the course of the story that Carton is now viewed of as a Christ-like figure. The selfless act of Carton tricking Darnay into exchanging clothing so Darnay’s appearance resembles Carton so Darnay can be freed is an incredible endeavor, which honors Carton as a Christ figure. The seamstress that holds Carton’s hands and is executed right before him, claims that Carton was “sent to [her] by Heaven.” In comparison with Jesus, who died so that all of us could live, Carton conveys the same selfless act for not only Darnay, but for all the others. Carton is the true “Resurrection” and “Life” of the story, for whoever “liveth and believeth in [him] shall never die.” Before Carton’s death, he sees a “child upon [Lucie’s] bosom who bore [his] name” along with a peaceful world for his family, in remembrance of him. Carton went from “Jackal” to a well rounded and true hero of the story.

As for Madame Defarge, the reader discovers the stem of her true hatred toward the wealthy, upper-class society. Madame Defarge was the sister of the woman the Marquis raped, and the sister and daughter of the boy and the man that was killed by the Marquis. The “basin” that “fell to the ground broken” as water “flowed to the feet of Madame Defarge” symbolizes and foreshadows the fate of Madame Defarge, all due to the “staining blood” on her “feet” that had brought her there. The reader could say that karma happened to Madame Defarge, as she was shot by Miss Pross. The shooting and death of Madame Defarge along with the serene death and acceptance that Carton had towards the ending of his life symbolizes the ending of the Revolution, and a rebuilding era for the people of France.

Although the Revolution proved brutal and inhumane for the country of France, the characters symbolized rejuvenation that the Revolution provided the country. Many characters transformed throughout the novel, due to the Revolution. Jerry Cruncher realized the consequences and transgression of the job he was associated with, and discovered the art of praying and its importance. Sydney Carton flourished from a character of somnolence to a Christ like character who gave his life so the woman he loved could be with the man she loved. John Barsad, also known as Solomon Pross, realized his wrongdoings as a spy, and helped free Darnay, and also went along with Carton’s plan to help Darnay and Lucie live a happy life. Through the evolution of the characters, Dickens manifests that the wretchedness of a country’s barbaric actions can lead to an era of rebuilding to better the country as a whole.