Re: Question about 'A Tale of Two Cities'
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Tue, 19 May 1998 11:04:45 -0100
My dear Mr Mogg,
What you are wondering is, I'm inclined to think, something wondered more
in your century than in mine. We had our creatures given over to
sensuality, to be sure, our seducers and wantons, but were confident that
love transcended the purely physical. Sydney Carton is attracted by Lucie's
beauty, there is no doubt about that. His denial of it when first he sees
her is testimony enough. But he sees she is not to be his, and choses to
adore her without promise of sensual gratification. She pays him the
compliment of understanding his sacrifice and accepting it.
I should be unhappy about any too direct comparison of Sydney Carton with
our Saviour, but when any man sacrifices himself for others, he follows in
the footsteps of the Lord, as indeed does any woman, and is to be revered
for that. I do not think it vainglorious to hope that such reverence might
be felt even for the creatures of fiction.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
________________________________________________________________________________
>Dear Mr Dickens -
>
>First, have I sent this to the right address? I hope so.
>
>Now, please may I ask you a question about your wonderful 'A Tale of Two
>Cities'?
>
>It's this. It is a long time since I read the novel. Does it ever so
>much as hint that Sydney Carton's relation to Lucie Darnay (née
>Manette), after she is married, may be of anything but the noblest and
>purest intentions on both sides? Would you say that Carton may
>ultimately be considered something of a Christ-figure?
>
>My best thanks - Ken Mogg.
>
>
======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author