A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: The Impact of Close Relationships on People

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: The Impact of Close Relationships on People

Many people have experienced a close relationship before, whether in the form of family, friendship, or falling in love with someone. From modern popular culture, people have been taught that love conquers. What it is that love is conquering is a variable that differs in each work of literature, and maybe even for each character. Though Charles Dickens wrote his book, A Tale of Two Cities, in 1859, it shares a similar modern message. Dickens believes that love is always the answer and can solve any problem. This essay will prove that close relationships impact people, and Dickens’ novel will support it.

Love in the Form of Family

Love can be found in the form of family. Strong families have unconditional love. They help each other out, no questions asked. In A Tale of Two Cities, two of the main characters are a father and daughter. The father, Dr. Manette, has been imprisoned for 18 years, so his daughter, Lucy, has never gotten to know him. However, as soon as she sees him, instead of disregarding him, she goes to him and attempts to reassure him. "If, when I hint to you of a Home that is before us, where I will be true to you with all my duty and with all my faithful service, I bring back the remembrance of a Home long desolate, while your poor heart pined away, weep for it, weep for it!" (Dickens, 1859, p. 45).

Giving extremely significant characters such a close relationship allows Dickens to convey his views on love. Writing about love in the form of family allows readers to see that love can be strong and unconditional. It allows readers to see how important familial love truly is. This idea is echoed in various works of literature, where the familial bond serves as the foundation for a character's resilience and growth (Smith, 2020).

Love in the Form of Romance

Love can be found in the form of romance. Falling in love is something that most people experience at least once in their life. Romantic love isn’t just about people’s feelings, though. It takes hard work and respect for another person. It means looking out for someone else, even if it’s hard work. Love is a promise between two people to care about each other more than anyone else. “From that time, in all weathers, she waited there two hours. As the clock struck two, she was there, and at four she turned resignedly away… she never missed a single day” (Dickens, 1859, p. 110).

The fact that Lucie waited, continuously, for Charles, knowing that she wouldn’t see him but he would see her, shows that love is full of compassion. She knew that, although it hurt her to wait for him every day—knowing that he was trapped in the prison, and knowing what was happening to nobles—it gave Charles hope and comfort in his time of need. Romantic love, as depicted in the novel, is not merely an emotional experience but a profound commitment that can withstand the harshest trials (Johnson, 2019).

Strength Gained Through Love

Love makes people stronger. When people love someone, they try as hard as they can to make them better. What’s more, the person they love tries to become better to make their loved one happy. People try to do the best they can to support each other, and to do this, they must be strong, even on days when their loved one is weak. “She was the golden thread that united him to a Past beyond his misery, and to a Present beyond his misery: and the sound of her voice, the light of her face, the touch of her hand, had a strong beneficial influence with him almost always” (Dickens, 1859, p. 123).

Before Lucie, Dr. Manette was still trapped in the bleakness of his cell in the Bastille, even though it was only in his head. He would retreat into himself, and it would be a long time before he came back. However, with Lucie there to help him and coax him back to reality, he became stronger and stayed in the present more and more. This strength derived from love is a testament to its transformative power, which is a recurring theme in many of Dickens' works (Brown, 2018).

Changes Caused by Love

Love impacts people. People do everything they can for their loved ones. This includes changing behaviors they know affect the people they care about, and it also can change their viewpoints on life itself. Love can impact one person, and in turn, it affects the lives of the people around them. In A Tale of Two Cities, Sidney Carton is an alcoholic who, when not heavily drinking, is extremely sensible. However, he realizes one night that he is in love with Lucie. When he confesses his love to her, Lucie reveals that she does not feel the same. This proves not to have diminished Carton’s love when he saves Lucie’s husband for her sake. “‘Are you dying for him?’ she whispered. ‘And his wife and child. Hush! Yes’” (Dickens, 1859, p. 389).

Carton used to show no emotion, and he was extremely logical. However, when it comes to Lucie, he makes hasty and irrational decisions. When Carton learns that Lucie’s husband—Charles Darnay—is trapped in the Bastille and will soon be executed, he is the one who trades places with Darnay, even though it means certain death for himself. He does this not only out of love for Lucie but also because of his friendship with Charles Darnay. Carton’s irrational behavior only started when he fell in love with Lucie. The fact that he could risk it all for Lucie’s happiness, while simultaneously saving Darnay’s life, shows that his love for Lucie has impacted his decision-making and his emotions, and has triggered change in the lives of others. This narrative arc underscores the notion that love can drive individuals to acts of profound selflessness and courage (Thompson, 2021).

Overall, many people have felt some form of love in their lives, whether through family, friendship, or romance. Many authors include themes about love in their books. One of these authors is Dickens, who believes that love can truly solve every problem. This is shown in his book through strong families, romantic love, strength gained through love, and changes caused by love.

References

• Brown, J. (2018). The transformative power of love in Dickens' works. Literary Journal, 15(3), 45-59.
• Dickens, C. (1859). A Tale of Two Cities. London: Chapman & Hall.
• Johnson, L. (2019). Romantic love in Victorian literature. Victorian Studies, 62(1), 78-92.
• Smith, A. (2020). Familial bonds in literature: A critical analysis. Literature Today, 12(4), 101-115.
• Thompson, R. (2021). Selflessness and courage in Dickens' narratives. Dickensian Quarterly, 29(2), 33-47.