Raphael Pentalian

An exploration of the philosophical significance of the novel ‘ A Tale of Two Cities ‘ written by the world-renowned novelist Charles Dickens based on Biblical elements. This historical novel is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The two principal characters are Charles Darnay, a prisoner condemned to death; and Sydney Carton, a barrister who sacrifices his own life to save Darnay.
The condemned convict is tortured by his own thoughts “ This is the last night of my life.” His terror mounts as he counts each passing hour…6, 7, 8. Fifty-two heads are destined to roll when dawn arises…and one of them shall be his own. One among the countless victims of ‘La Guillotine’ the blood-thirsty death-machine revered by the revolutionaries. When the pulley moves, a heavy, sharp blade will strike his neck with deadly precision and his head will roll down. Both his head and torso will be removed and the next victim will be brought in and the macabre ritual will be repeated till fifty-two heads and fifty –two torsos are separated forever.
In the terrible silence of that night, the wretched convict suddenly heard a soft foot-step outside his cell, followed by muffled human speech. Unexpectedly, his cell door flew open. “It is night still. It is not my turn yet. Who is this?“ He anxiously surveyed the man who walked in. “He seems familiar! “ The man gestured to him to remain silent and whispered, “ My friend, I am here with your wife’s letter. Hand over your clothes to me. Wear my clothes instead, and escape with these secret agents. We do not have much time. Hurry up !”
But the prisoner was not convinced. “ What nonsense! Please leave me to my fate.” Each moment was precious. Suddenly, the intruder overpowered the prisoner and forcibly made him smell something that left him unconscious. He quickly undressed the prisoner and dressed him up in his own clothes. He handed over the disguised prisoner to the secret agents who carried him to the vehicle waiting outside and sped away.
How incredible!! The man condemned to death lives on….another man chooses to die in his stead. It was the astounding similarity in their physical appearance that made this unlikely feat possible. Who are they ?? They are the amazing creations of a talented artist’s imagination. Let us meet the artist and his creations. The celebrated English novelist, Charles Dickens read the eminent historian Thomas Carlyle’s treatise on French history titled ‘ French Revolution’; and was inspired to write one of his most famous novels, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’. The French revolution was a desperate attempt by French farmers, workers and slaves to free themselves from their horrible living conditions. Rousseau and Voltaire were their spiritual leaders.
Though Dickens appears to favor the Revolution when the novel begins, he explicitly opposes and refutes it later because of the senseless brutality and depravity of the methods adopted by the revolutionaries. The means should be as pure as the goal. A fair and just social order should be achieved by fair and just means. The Bible teaches that true emancipation is through the Father and the Son. Sidney Dark alludes to this truth when he states that all goodness originates from Nazareth in his introduction to the novel. Nathaniel’s disagreement as recorded in the Bible “ Can any good come from Nazareth?” can be dismissed as the natural resentment any average person might feel towards a person of superior intellect. God/fate waves a magic wand – and the garrulous woman becomes a refined lady and the street urchin becomes a fine gentleman. The drunkard lawyer who was despised and ignored his whole life becomes a shining star through his glorious sacrifice at death.