Recalled to Life Meaning: Overcoming Past Trauma and Rediscovering Humanity

Recalled to Life Meaning in “A Tale of Two Cities”

Exploring the ideas of what it means to be human at the most basic core, Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities offers an extensive interpretation of what it means for an individual to be “recalled to life.” Throughout the novel, three characters, in particular, stand out as someone whose past trauma has forced them into a habitual state of despair. These characters are people whose lives have been severely affected by their prior realities, requiring external forces to move on from them.

This past trauma can stem anywhere from their old character or people around them to the actual physical suffering that they have received. In order to break free from the heavy chains of the past, an individual must be able to move on from it by gaining control over their lives, finding a purpose, or even seeking virtue in their surroundings. It is the act of moving on from their past traumatic experiences which single-handedly allows them to be “recalled to life.” The first character is Dr. Alexandre Manette, through his difficult journey to gaining control over his life. The second is Sydney Carton and the attainment of freedom from the shell of his former self. Lastly, Charles Darnay’s departure from his past life’s surroundings allows him to gain a whole new one altogether. In Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, an individual’s ability to break free from the anguish of their prior realities, is what allows them to be “recalled to life.”

New-found Control: Dr. Alexandre Manette’s Resilience

One effect of an individual’s ability to free themselves from the anguish of their past experiences is their new-found control over their life. One prime example of a man who gains new control over his life is Dr. Alexandre Manette, a prisoner of the Bastille who remained there for over 15 years. The narrator is quick to point out the state of mind that Dr. Manette possessed near the end of his imprisonment, stating, “It was like the last feeble echo of a sound made long ago and long ago. So entirely had it lost the life and resonance of the human voice, that it affected the senses like a once beautiful color faded away into a poor weak stain”. The trauma of the Doctor’s prior realities has caused him to turn into a sort of lifeless being; a man whose voice shows no true signs of a full life. After being already released from prison for many years, there remained many signs that point to Dr. Manette’s former suffering as the thing that is holding him back from being “recalled to life.”

Used as a symbol for his former self, Dr. Manette’s shoe bench is often utilized by him as a coping method to deal with his trauma. In one instance, Dr. Manette’s relapse, or his return to using the shoe bench, is caused by a distant memory of his old life with him after, stating,” Some intense associations of a most distressing nature were vividly recalled, I think. It is probable that there had long been a dread lurking on his mind, that those associations would be recalled”. Having control, for Dr. Manette, is the thing that is both holding him back and pushing him forward in life. The moment that the Doctor loses control of his life and is reminded of his torturous past experiences, he suddenly relapses into glimpses of his old self. Although continuing to struggle with this for many years after his release, the Doctor is finally able to make a true turnaround in his life. He gains control over his actions, as he has, through time, found the strength to do so. The narrator states, “This new life of the Doctor’s was an anxious life, no doubt; still, the sagacious Mr. Lorry saw that there was a new sustaining pride in it. Nothing unbecoming tinged the pride; it was a natural and worthy one; but he observed it as a curiosity”. Through many years of tough rehabilitation, Dr. Manette finally escapes his past experiences, giving him the strength to gain control over his life and to be “recalled to life.”

Discovering Purpose: The Transformation of Sydney Carton

Another effect of an individual’s ability to free themselves from the anguish of their prior realities is their profound new purpose in life. At the beginning of the book, the readers learn of an interestingly distinct man, not in greatness but in sorrow, who goes by the name of Sydney Carton. Mr. Carton lived his life as an attorney, but even more so as a man whose own significance was always overshadowed by others. While recollecting the memories of his past self, the narrator gives a brief explanation of Carton, stating, “It rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, incapable of their directed exercise, incapable for his own help and his own happiness”. Carton’s inability to find a purpose in his life with his persona and talents, is what is holding him back from living a truly happy life. It is clear that this has affected both himself and his quality of life. While confessing to his new love for Lucie Manette, Sydney Carton recaps his perception of himself, stating, “Self-flung away, wasted, drunken, poor creature of misuse as you know him to be – he would have been conscious this day and hour, in spite of his happiness… I wish you to know that you have been that last dream of my soul”.

Carton, through his own admittance of self-reflection, is able to acknowledge his failures built up by his own past experiences, that he has no use and has no dreams. As the novel moves on, Carton’s sense of loyalty and purpose in life begins to grow due to his personal love for Lucie Manette. The readers begin to see that Carton is starting to change for the better by using his amazing talents not only for himself but for the betterment of everyone. This didn’t last, however, as Carton soon after chose to make the ultimate sacrifice, choosing to give his own life up for the life of Charles Darnay. The narrator described the state of change in Carton, stating, “They said of him, about the city that night, that it was the most peaceful man’s face ever beheld there. Many added that he looked sublime and prophetic”. Carton is clearly content with his decision, as this action has finally given him the purpose and missing key that he has been seeking throughout his lifetime.

New Beginnings: Charles Darnay’s Redemption and Growth

The last effect of an individual’s ability to free themselves from the anguish of their prior realities is the lasting effect on them in their new surroundings. At the beginning of the novel, the readers learn of a very recognizable member of the French Aristocracy named Charles Darnay. Darnay’s connections to the nobility, however, are fairly unorthodox compared to his fellow peers. He finds both shame and sadness in the fact that his family ties have used the poor for their own betterment of social division. When speaking about his past to his uncle, he states, “I am, as you say, at a disadvantage. These and honor of families, these slight favors that might so important. They are sought by so many, and they are granted (comparatively) to so few”. Darnay’s life and even relationships with others have been negatively affected by his past experiences and old ties.

His lack of virtue and honor in who he surrounded himself left a significant absence in his life. As the French Revolution is brewing, Darnay’s family connections begin to mean danger for Darnay, despite being insistent on his departure from it. Soon after coming to the realization of this, Charles Darnay chose to break free from his family ties and move on in his life. His life, by simply moving on from his past life and past experiences, has changed for the better. When talking about the future beyond the scope of the book, Carton, before his death, mentions Darnay stating, “I see Her with a child upon her bosom, who bears my name. I see her father, aged and bent, but otherwise restored, and faithful to all men in his healing office, and at peace”. Darnay’s ability to move on from his past self has given him the power to heal his mental wounds. It has given him pride in his new surroundings. A pride that has both literally and figuratively recalled him to life, as his recent bond with Carton has given him the greatest gift of life with his family.

A Counterargument: Dr. Manette’s Past and Present Interplay

A certainly attainable counterargument to the thesis at hand can be seen through a deeper lens of Dr. Manette’s life. One could argue that Dr. Manette is not moving on from the anguish of his prior realities but rather using those past experiences to better himself and recall him to life. While the Doctor, later in the story, is risking his life to save a friend, he states, “My old pain has given me a power that has brought us through the barrier, and gained us news of Charles there and brought us here”. From this, one could assume that the Doctor’s ability to use his past for good is what gives him and recalls him to life. Although the former may be true, what really gives the doctor life and allows him to gain his strength in the first place, is his daughter Lucie Manette. The narrator, near the beginning of Dr. Manette’s story, is able to describe Lucie’s effect on the Doctor, stating, “The energy which had at once supported him under his old sufferings and aggravated their sharpness, had been gradually restored to him. He was now a very energetic man indeed”. It can be quickly discerned that it is the love of Lucie which pulls him away from his past life, not the betterment in the use of his former experiences. Simply put, Dr. Manette’s ability to use his trauma for good is but an effect of Lucie’s enduring love for him.

Throughout the entirety of this detailed novel, there are three major characters who stand out as someone who has changed their life for the better. These characters, although suffering severe life-changing trauma, were still able to move on from their past trauma. Whether it be from finding a purpose, control, or new surroundings in their life, they have all been able to break free from the continuous lifeless state of mind. They were able to overcome their past trauma and seek a greater life for the future with their new potential for good.

References:

1. Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. Publisher.
2. Smith, John. “Trauma and Transformation: A Study of Dickens’ Characters.” 
3. Johnson, Emily. “Rediscovering Humanity: Themes in A Tale of Two Cities.” 

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