Redemption can often be achieved through self-sacrifice. Throughout Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities, this duality of life is dominant. The story follows the events leading to the bloodstained French Revolution and depicts its impact on the lives of both the peasants and the aristocrats. Dickens uses the prominence of "Recalled to Life" to develop his message that man is given a chance to expiate his sins by making sacrifices out of love for others.

Dickens develops his "Recalled to Life" motif throughout the story with minor and seemingly nominal instances of resurrection. Many characters fake their own death or live a secret life in order to escape the terrors of revolution. The phrase "Recalled to Life" is first introduced when Jerry Cruncher delivers this message to Mr. Lorry. As more is revealed about Jerry Cruncher's character, the reader discovers the irony between the message and...