The redemption and .
salvation barely attained by Dr. Manette left deep emotional scars and whenever .
they are jolted Dr. Manette goes back to his deranged state of mind. The .
shoemaker bench, Dr. Manette used in prison, has immense psychological effect .
on him. It helps the reader understand Dr. Manettes state of mind before he is .
saved and nursed back to health. The bench represents how insane Dr. Manette has .
become. Even though he is a man of great intelligence, he worked day after day .
for eighteen years on one shoe maker's bench. He has been forced to give up on .
life and wait in his cell, "on hundred and five north tower" (Dickens p 37), for his .
certain death. The redemption and salvation of Dr. Manettes body, mind and soul .
show the reader that human spirit is strong and it is always possible to get a second .
chance at life.
.
Charles Darnay's evasion of death in England and twice in France develops .
the theme that being saved from almost certain fate is always possible. In England .
Charles Darnay is arrested and tried for treason. Lucie, Dr. Manette and Mr. Lorry .
are all put on the stand in this trial but the salvation of Charles Darnay comes from .
his astonishing resemblance to Sydney Carton. "Look well upon that gentleman, .
my learned assistant," pointing to him[Sydney Carton] who had tossed the paper .
2.
over, "and then look well upon the prisoner. How say you? Are they very like each .
other?" (Dickens p 67). The next salvation Darnay experiences is from another .
trial, this time in France. Darnay is saved again by another person's doing and not .
his own. Dr. Manette, a hero among the French revolutionaries, frees Darnay by .
swaying the crowd in his favour: "His[Dr. Manette] high personal popularity, and .
the clearness of his answers, made a great impression" (Dickens p 265). This trial .
really shows how lucky Darnay is that he met the Manettes. For it was only Dr. .
Manette's imprisonment that saves Darnay.
