Although a classic novel, some critics decry that it focuses too much on the descriptions of events and lacks well-drawn comic characters which is a staple of Dickens' novels. Others argue that in writing this novel, Dickens intents to draw public attention to social problems and the confusion of his time. Whatever the critics concern, readers seem to appreciate more the so-called plainly-formed characters than the ingenuous settings of the plot. The compassion, love, and virtue of Lucie Manette; the honor, respect, and courage of Charles Darnay, as well as the Jesus-like sacrifice of Sydney Carton touch the hearts of numerous people worldwide. The themes of Christian love, sacrifice and resurrection are elaborated throughout this novel, functioning as a mirror of the 19th century England in which religion placed an important role and are the real highlights of this novel, adding bright colors to the “flat” characters.
II. Charles Dickens, the Victorian Era and Christianity
Charles Dickens is an author who frequently drew upon his personal experiences to write. We can see obviously his personal influences in many of his works. The finest English novelist of the 19th century, his enduring characters is part of the culture. An enormously successful author and performer of his own work, he is the conscience of Victorian England. A Christian as he is, he often introduces Christian concepts in his writing. In analyzing how Christian concepts are elaborated in A tale of Two Cities, we have to start from the social atmosphere of the Victorian England and the religion background of the author, and then have a basic understanding of Christian love, sacrifice and resurrection.
A. The Victorian Era and Charles Dickens
The Victorian era (1832-1901) was the time when England experienced extraordinary transformations. In science and technology, the Victorians invented modern ideas which led to the breakout of the Industrial Revolution. In ideology, politics, and society, the Victorians created astonishing innovations and changes: democracy, feminism, unionization of workers, socialism, Marxism, and other modern movements. In literature and arts, it was the time that witnessed a number of great writers: the Bronte sisters, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Thomas Carlyle, Lewis Carroll, Thomas DeQuincey and Charles Dickens etc. They attempted to combine Romantic emphases on self, emotion, and imagination with their own propositions in which religion was thought to be a panacea. The belief was that if everyone could receive and accept religion, morality would prevail and bring an end to crime, poverty, and all types of deviant behaviors.
Although Dickens was baptized and reared in the Church of England and was a nominal Anglican for most of his life, he turned to Unitarianism and associated with Unitarians until the end of his life. Early experience with Dissenters gave him a lifelong aversion to evangelical zeal, doctrinal disputation and sectarianism. He was reticent on the subject of religion, but a letter which he wrote to the Reverend D. Macrae speaks for him, 英语作文