A Tale of Two Cities light vs. dark analysis

Lauren West
11/9/15
Period 4

A Tale of Two Cities light vs. dark

                  Charles Dickens applies light and darkness to set the tone of optimism present in Lucie and Dr. Manette's  relationship in the classic story A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens expresses this sense of hopefulness as he writes, "...a little more light here. You can bear a little more'?...'I must bear it, if you let it in" (Dickens 30). In this quote Dr. Manette is being asked if he would mind a little light in the room. Previous to this question Dr. Manette had been sitting in the darkness of his room which symbolizes his time spent in a state of depression while he was imprisoned. When the questioner Defarge asks to open the door further and let in more light, in actuality he is letting in Dr. Manette's daughter Lucie whom is trying to free him from his depression. Lucie is an emblem for the change Dr. Manette needs in his life ,and is represented as the light to end his state of darkness. This demonstrates an optimistic tone when it says, "I must bear it if you let it in". When he says this, Lucie's father is symbolizing how he has to be strong through his recovery if his daughter is willing to help him through it. Dickens also adds to the optimistic tone when he writes, "...it had passed like a moving light, from him to her. Darkness had fallen on him in its place" (Dickens 32). This excerpt follows the light as it moves from Dr. Manette and falls upon his daughter Lucie. This movement symbolizes the change of mood between the two family members. It shows how the light shines over Lucie, as she is seen as the light and happy one sent to do good, and leaves her damaged father to sit in the darkness he has become comfortable with. It also represents Lucie's power to heal her dad as she is seen in the light. Lucie is an emblem of light and all things good whereas the darkness settled upon her father is whats holding their family apart. As Dr. Manette begins to recognize his daughter Dickens writes, "His cold white head mingled with her radiant hair, which warmed and lighted it as though it were the light of freedom shining on him" (Dickens 34). Within this quote the use of the word 'light' is repeated and it becomes obvious that it is more commonly used than dark. This scene portrays Manette's daughter as his savior once again, however in this case a direct sense of healing is shown. Lucie's affect on her father is simply described as, "the light of freedom shining on him", as she warms her fathers cold head. It is as if her hair is so radiant and beautiful that it has the power of showing she came from this man and he can make his way back to who he was before he was locked away. Throughout these scenes of A Tale of Two Cities the use of light contributes to the tone of hope and optimism as it overcomes the darkness looming over Dr. Manette's life.