OldSchoolPresbyterian
Puritan Board Freshman
I have always wanted to reach this Dickens classic but never got around to it. I recently completed the novel and was not disappointed. This is an extraordinary piece of work. true genius. Now I can understand why it’s been so popular over the decades and has been required reading for so many students. Warning: There are some spoilers below.
Here is a refresher on the basic facts of the story: The story takes place between 1775 and 1789, mostly in France and just as the French revolution is brewing. Charles Darnay a/k/a Evremonde, originally from France but living in England, is accused of treason and illegally assisting the French government. He is acquitted in a trial, thanks to the brilliant legal work of attorney Stryver, and his assistant Sydney Carton. Meanwhile, Dr. Alexandre Manette, the father of Lucie Manette, is imprisoned unjustly and as an innocent man, in the infamous Bastille prison. He’s imprisoned 17 years in the Bastille and is driven mad by the imprisonment and isolation. Darnay soon falls in love with Lucie Manette, Dr. Manette's daughter. Darnary had abandoned his inheritance as a member of the French aristocracy and had fled to England. Once the French revolution progresses and Darnay's uncle, Marquis Evrémonde, is murdered, Darnay returns to France, in a futile attempt to rescue Gabelle, who was in charge of the Evrémonde estate. Darnay is soon imprisoned by the French revolutionaries and sentenced to death by the guillotine. The French revolutionaries, in particular Madame Defarge and her husband, want Darnay dead because of the horrific crimes committed by Darnay’s father and uncle – crimes that occurred many years ago when Darnay was just an infant. Carton, who had an unrequited love of Lucie, rescues Darnay in a daring scheme in which Carton cleverly switches places with Darnay. Carton is executed in place of Darnay. Carton accomplishes this with the help of an English spy, John Barsad, by switching clothes with Darnay and then drugging Darnay so that he falls unconscious. Darnay is rapidly escorted out of France to England with Lucie, their infant daughter, and Dr. Manette.
This novel was very exciting and had a riveting story-line – there were numerous twists and turns and unpredictable developments. It's rare that a classic piece of literature is also a true page-turner. Many surprises await the reader as he gets further into the plot. I was amazed how an author – a genius such as Dickens – could communicate both a fascinating story while at the same time raising such profound and timeless themes, especially themes of morality.
The character development was also remarkable. We learn so many details about Darnay, Carton, Lucie, Dr. Manette, and other characters - I was able to sympathize with their plight and even cheer them on as the story developed. Similarly, Madame Defarge has to be considered one of the greatest villains in the history of literature. I was hoping her wicked plans would get thwarted throughout the story. When she is killed at the end of the story by a bullet from her own gun, Dickens shows us what justice looks like, perhaps even poetic justice.
There were Christian themes that were present throughout the novel and indeed, were critical parts of the plot. For example, Carton is a Christ-like figure, dying in place of Darnay and taking the punishment of death via the guillotine. Carton also discusses John 14 with Darnay, where Carton emphasizes the resurrection and looks forward to eternal life. Further, Dickens seems to be condemning the concept of collective guilt throughout the novel. For instance, the Madame Defarge has an intense desire to put Darnay to death because of the crimes of Darnay's father and uncle (rape and murder). This is seen as unjust, since Darnay was only an infant at that time, and it was his family, not Darnay, who committed the crimes. As Christians, we would have to agree with this. On the other hand, this remind me that we do see throughout the Bible that God does at times impose collective guilt. Some examples would include the doctrine of original sin in which all men are guilty in Adam and the exile of Israel and Judah in 722 BC and 586 BC respectively where it seems that at least some righteous Jews were caught up in the devastation.
Interestingly, Dickens appears to be critical of both sides of the French Revolution. Dickens presents a very negative portrayal of the French establishment and aristocrats, including Christian pastors, who allowed so many French citizens to starve to death and unjustly imprisoned so many others. But on the other hand, Dickens is clearly critical of those revolutionaries who used the guillotine to murder numerous innocent people, especially without a legitimate trial. The Defarges in particular were outspoken advocates of exterminating the French aristocracy.
All in all, this book was not only a thought-provoking work and reading it a very enlightening experience, it will now motivate me to read more of Dickens' novels.
Here is a refresher on the basic facts of the story: The story takes place between 1775 and 1789, mostly in France and just as the French revolution is brewing. Charles Darnay a/k/a Evremonde, originally from France but living in England, is accused of treason and illegally assisting the French government. He is acquitted in a trial, thanks to the brilliant legal work of attorney Stryver, and his assistant Sydney Carton. Meanwhile, Dr. Alexandre Manette, the father of Lucie Manette, is imprisoned unjustly and as an innocent man, in the infamous Bastille prison. He’s imprisoned 17 years in the Bastille and is driven mad by the imprisonment and isolation. Darnay soon falls in love with Lucie Manette, Dr. Manette's daughter. Darnary had abandoned his inheritance as a member of the French aristocracy and had fled to England. Once the French revolution progresses and Darnay's uncle, Marquis Evrémonde, is murdered, Darnay returns to France, in a futile attempt to rescue Gabelle, who was in charge of the Evrémonde estate. Darnay is soon imprisoned by the French revolutionaries and sentenced to death by the guillotine. The French revolutionaries, in particular Madame Defarge and her husband, want Darnay dead because of the horrific crimes committed by Darnay’s father and uncle – crimes that occurred many years ago when Darnay was just an infant. Carton, who had an unrequited love of Lucie, rescues Darnay in a daring scheme in which Carton cleverly switches places with Darnay. Carton is executed in place of Darnay. Carton accomplishes this with the help of an English spy, John Barsad, by switching clothes with Darnay and then drugging Darnay so that he falls unconscious. Darnay is rapidly escorted out of France to England with Lucie, their infant daughter, and Dr. Manette.
This novel was very exciting and had a riveting story-line – there were numerous twists and turns and unpredictable developments. It's rare that a classic piece of literature is also a true page-turner. Many surprises await the reader as he gets further into the plot. I was amazed how an author – a genius such as Dickens – could communicate both a fascinating story while at the same time raising such profound and timeless themes, especially themes of morality.
The character development was also remarkable. We learn so many details about Darnay, Carton, Lucie, Dr. Manette, and other characters - I was able to sympathize with their plight and even cheer them on as the story developed. Similarly, Madame Defarge has to be considered one of the greatest villains in the history of literature. I was hoping her wicked plans would get thwarted throughout the story. When she is killed at the end of the story by a bullet from her own gun, Dickens shows us what justice looks like, perhaps even poetic justice.
There were Christian themes that were present throughout the novel and indeed, were critical parts of the plot. For example, Carton is a Christ-like figure, dying in place of Darnay and taking the punishment of death via the guillotine. Carton also discusses John 14 with Darnay, where Carton emphasizes the resurrection and looks forward to eternal life. Further, Dickens seems to be condemning the concept of collective guilt throughout the novel. For instance, the Madame Defarge has an intense desire to put Darnay to death because of the crimes of Darnay's father and uncle (rape and murder). This is seen as unjust, since Darnay was only an infant at that time, and it was his family, not Darnay, who committed the crimes. As Christians, we would have to agree with this. On the other hand, this remind me that we do see throughout the Bible that God does at times impose collective guilt. Some examples would include the doctrine of original sin in which all men are guilty in Adam and the exile of Israel and Judah in 722 BC and 586 BC respectively where it seems that at least some righteous Jews were caught up in the devastation.
Interestingly, Dickens appears to be critical of both sides of the French Revolution. Dickens presents a very negative portrayal of the French establishment and aristocrats, including Christian pastors, who allowed so many French citizens to starve to death and unjustly imprisoned so many others. But on the other hand, Dickens is clearly critical of those revolutionaries who used the guillotine to murder numerous innocent people, especially without a legitimate trial. The Defarges in particular were outspoken advocates of exterminating the French aristocracy.
All in all, this book was not only a thought-provoking work and reading it a very enlightening experience, it will now motivate me to read more of Dickens' novels.
