A Tale of Two Cities: Charles Dickens --The theme sacrifice in the book

Essay by berey924Junior High, 9th gradeA+, May 2002

download word file, 4 pages 3.3

Downloaded 66 times

A Tale of Two Cities is a tale filled with the theme of sacrifice, as it is used to help the reader realize the cost of life, as well as to develop the plot through the effects of those sacrifices. Through the characters of Sydney Carton, Dr. Manette, and Ms. Pross the theme is developed. This theme brings key aspects of the plot together, and Carton's sacrifice brings the novel to closure in the end.

Ms. Pross sacrifices her life day by day for Lucie to have a better life. She simply devotes her life to Lucie, and her well being which is shown when Mr. Lorry describes Ms. Pross's devotion, "there is nothing better in the world than the faithful service of the heart; so rendered and so free from any mercenary taint" (92). Ms. Pross was sacrificing things everyday by simply being devoted to Lucie. She does everything she can so that Lucie can have the best possible life.

Ms. Pross's devotion is demonstrated once again on page 92 when she is described as, "one of those unselfish creatures found only among women who will for pure love and admiration, bind themselves willing slaves, to youth when they have lost it, to beauty that they never had, to accomplishments that they were never fortunate enough to gain and to bright hopes that never shined upon their own somber lives." Also, she sacrifices her hopes and dreams so that Lucie might have her own hopes and dreams fulfilled. Although Ms. Pross does not have all the beauty and fortune in the world, she lived so that Lucie might someday. Ms. Pross's ultimate sacrifice of devotion is when she puts her own life at risk to save Lucie's along with others, as she buffets and struggles with Madame Defarge...