Light and Dark

Charles Dickens uses light and dark to set a hopeful tone on Lucie and Dr. Manette’s relationship. The first example of light and dark is when Dicken says “ I want ‘ says Defarge; to let in a little more light here. You can bear a little more?” (Dickens 30).  The light in this quote is referring to Lucie. If Dr. Manette is willing to let some light in his life, then Lucie will have the chance to heal him. After everything he has been through, trust will not be something he is just going to give out. Lucie has to earn it. She has to show Dr.Manette that she has his best interest at heart. If there is trust in a relationship, then there is definitely hope. The second time Dickens uses light and dark to describe Lucie and Dr. Manette’s relationship is when he writes, “Some long obliterated marks of an actively intent intelligence in the middle of the forehead, gradually forced themselves through the black mist that had fallen on him” (Dickens 32). Even though Dr. Manette is not physically imprisoned, his mind is still locked up and it is being guarded by his own depression. The marks on his forehead are nothing but a memory. When asked by Mr. Lorry if he cares to be recalled to life, Dr. Manette replies “ I can't say”. Prison has that effect on people. What it doesn't have is the ability to control how you choose to move on. Dr. Manette’s only way of getting through this is if allows Lucie to be in his life. The last quote about light and dark is when Dickens states, “Trembling with eagerness to lay the spectral face upon her warm young breast, and love it back to life and hope” (Dickens 32).  It is like Dr. Manette wears a coat of depression that has no way of letting hope through. Being imprisoned for so long affects him in that he thinks he will never be happy again. That things will never be the same. What he doesn't realize is that there is someone who can change his future. His daughter Lucie, the light in his life that will guide him through all obstacles. Lucie is willing to help her father, even though she barely knows him. This sets a hopeful tone because if Dr. Manette lets Lucie in his life, he has a chance at changing his lifestyle for the better. In this novel, Dickens sets a hopeful tone by using light and dark to describe Lucie and Dr. Manette's relationship.