Christian Concepts in A Tale of Two Cities

甄智英 田蕊

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 Tale of Two Cities is a renowned novel of Charles Dickens，who enjoys a wider popularity than had any previous author during his lifetime.The story starts in the time of the French Revolution when Lucie Manette goes to Paris to reunite her father who is recently released from prison and “recall him to life”.She marries Charles Darnay later，a heroic nobleman who renounces his status in opposition to his uncle and the evils of oppression he represents.Meanwhile，unrest is growing in Paris.The revolution erupts with full force in July 1789 with the storming of the Bastille.By 1792，the revolutionaries have taken control of France and are imprisoning and killing anyone they view as an enemy of the state.When Darnay returns to Paris to save his servant，he is arrested and sentenced to death but saved by Sydney Carton，who bears a striking resemblance to him and is willing to die for his love for Lucie.

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.

Christianity influences the Western civilization in many ways.Zhao Puchu，a famous hermit in China，once said：without Christianity，there is no European culture and even the Western civilization. To some extent，the civilization is the integration of Christianity.Literature，as the vehicle of civilization，reflects the impact obviously.A Tale of Two Cities is only one of the numerous literature works reflecting the Christian impact，and Charles Dickens is only one of the writers who believe in Christianity. Melville，Feodor Dostoyevsky，Friedrieh Nietzsche，and Ernest Miller Hemingway are all greatly influenced by Christianity.There is a saying that if Jesus Christ is eliminated from literature，it will become a blooding wound for the literature of our country，and we will soon dry out of blood.

The history of Christianity is inseparable from the history of Western culture and Western society.For centuries Christian beliefs，principles，and ideals have colored the thoughts and feelings of Western man.The traditions and practices have left an ineffable mark not only on the developments of pure religious interest，but on virtually the total endeavor of man.This has been manifest in art and literature，science and law，politics and economics，and as well，in love and war.Indeed，the indirect and unconscious influence Christianity has often exercised in avowedly secular matters—social，intellectual，and institutional—affords striking proof of the dynamic forces that have been generated by the faith over the millenniums.Even those who have contested its claims and rejected its tenets have been affected by what they opposed to.It is impossible to understand the cultural heritage that sustains and conditions our lives without considering the contributions of Christianity.

References：

Charles Dickens.The Life of Our Lord .New York：Crescent Books，1970.

徐玉成編著，趙樸初題.宗教政策法律知識問答 .北京：中國社會科學出版社，1997.