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Sydney Carton's Sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities |
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Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities is a classic that remains popular for its
captivating characters, vivid description of the French Revolution, and the
escape of Charles Evremonde. Evremonde, the son of an aristocrat, finds himself
at the guillotine due to reasons beyond his control. It is Sydney Carton, an
Englishman and the most unpromising of men, who orchestrates Evremonde's escape.
But why does Carton help him, and is Evremonde guilty or innocent?
Evremonde is innocent when he is sentenced to the guillotine, having been
denounced by Madame Defarge as the son of aristocrats. His escape is an escape
from death and from the chaos and revenge prevalent in revolutionary France.
When reason fails to prevail, Carton steps in and offers himself as a substitute
for Evremonde because he loves Evremonde's wife, Lucie Manette, and wants to see
her happy. Carton had already promised Lucie that he would do anything for her
and those dear to her.
The escape is successful because Carton does not simply take Evremonde away, but
substitutes himself for him to walk to the guillotine. Carton cleverly renders
Evremonde unconscious and sends him out of the prison while taking his place.
Evremonde travels under the identity of "Sydney Carton Advocate, English" while
Carton walks to the guillotine with his hand in the hand of an unknown
seamstress, comforting her and consoling her.
Carton's sacrifice is not a heroic adventure, but rather an act of inner
strength and spiritual courage. He has the supreme satisfaction of doing
something that will bring happiness to others and knows that Lucie and her
family will always remember him. His escape plan allows Evremonde to live, and
he is safely out of France.
In conclusion, Sydney Carton's sacrifice in A Tale of Two Cities is a memorable
event in literature. He helped Charles Evremonde escape from death and created a
heroic example of selflessness, inner strength, and spiritual courage. |
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