Light and Dark

  Charles Dickens uses both light and dark to set the tone of optimism for the father and daughter relationship between Lucie and Dr. Manette. A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens writes "'You can bear a little more light?' (Dickens 30)" This quote is directed towards Dr. Manette, the long time prisoner. Following the inquiry, his daughter, who he hasn't seen before, walks in. This brings in light, both figuratively and literally, which represents hope in the broken man's life. The author goes on to write "...on her fair young face, that it looked as though it had passed like a moving light, from him to her (Dickens 32.)" What this is saying is that she is brightening his life so much, you can just sense it. Lucie brings whole new meaning to the man who has been in the dark for the past eighteen years, and is bringing him back into the light. The novel states "The darkness deepened as they both lay quiet, until a light gleamed through the chinks in the wall (Dickens 36.)" Light is barely seeping through the cracks in the wall, but it's finding its way to the doctor. Dr. Manette was seemingly going to be in the dark for the rest of his life, but somehow, Lucie made her way to find her father, even when all hope was gone for his life. Dickens effectively uses light and dark to set optimism between Lucie and Dr. Manette.