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Introduction:
A Tale of Two Cities is the twelfth novel written by Charles Dickens, published in 1859. The novel narrates the political and social aspects of the eighteenth century in both England and France. The book starts its plot with Mr. Lorry and Ms. Manette retrieving Ms. Manette’s father from the Bastille.
Plot:
Both France and England were dealing with serious social issues in 1775. Banker Jarvis Lorry and Lucie Manette go to Paris for Lucie’s father, Dr. Manette, who has been released from the Bastille after eighteen years and is mentally damaged. He gradually recovers due to Lucie’s love. An objective lawyer named Sydney Carton, who resembles Charles Darnay, saves the Frenchman who was tried for treason in 1780. After falling in love with Lucie, Darnay approaches Dr. Manette to ask for her hand in marriage, promising to tell her who he truly is. Meanwhile, revolutionaries in France kill the Marquis Évrémonde, Darnay’s cruel uncle. Darnay departs France and gives up his family’s name. Carton also confirms his love for Lucie, although he is aware that she will never respond. In 1789, the French people rebelled against the aristocracy, starting the French Revolution. When Darnay returns to France three years later to support an elderly family servant, revolutionaries arrest him. Manette’s influence leads to Darnay’s release, but he is arrested again after Lucie and her father rush to Paris. Madame and Monsieur Defarge accuse him this time, and a letter from Manette’s past proves Darnay’s fate: he is given a death sentence for the crimes committed by his family. Madame Defarge intends to murder Lucie and her daughter as well, but Carton gives his life by taking Darnay’s place. He finally gives his life purpose when he passes away instead of Darnay. Madame Defarge is unintentionally killed by Lucie’s servant Miss Pross, while Lucie, Darnay, their daughter, and Dr. Manette manage to flee. Carton’s last deed is regarded as a courageous and profound act of love.

Analysis:
The book presents the political and social history of England and France through the French Revolution. The revolutionaries and their actions also reflect the historical and social parts of the novel through how they arrest Darnay twice in the book. The book also shows the unfairness in the law regarding the death penalty. Darnay was required to pay for the crimes that his family had committed, although he didn’t commit them himself. The book also demonstrates the will for murder and death, like how Madame Defarge intended to kill Lucie and her daughter, and how she died unintentionally. The plot introduces the Defarges as antagonists as they declare guiltiness of Darnay guilty and also intend to kill Lucie. On the other hand, Lucie is shown as a kind girl, a protagonist, who takes care of her dad, who was mentally unstable. It also shows different dramas between each character, such as love between Lucie and Carton, and Darnay and Defarges wanting to destroy Lucie and Darnay’s lives. Carton’s act of sacrifice demonstrates his love for both Lucie and Darnay and shows how Lucie, Darnay, and Dr. Manette were able to survive.
Conclusion:
A Tale of Two Cities is a novel written by Charles Dickens, published in 1859. The book presents the political and social parts of England and France, with the French Revolution and the revolutionaries. The novel introduces itself with Lucie and how she takes care of her father, Dr. Manette. She meets Carton and Darnay, who are affiliated with the law. Darnay gets arrested twice by revolutionaries and is required to pay back for his family’s crimes due to the declaration of the Defarges, who intended to kill both Lucie and Darnay. Carton sacrifices himself, and Madame Defarge is killed, which provides an opportunity for Lucie, Darnay, and her father to flee. The book shows the unfairness and chaos in law and order, as the Defarges were able to proceed with the charges for Darnay. The novel also presents each character’s different qualities as well as their intentions. The novel ends with the opportunity given to the three protagonists who were able to escape from the harsh reality and the revolutionaries.