The French Revolution was a period between 1789 and 1799 in which the lower class overthrew the aristocracy. A Tale of Two Cities written by Charles Dickens in 1859 is set during the French Revolution. In the desperate time of the French Revolution, especially in this novel, people were willing to make sacrifices for the love of their families, their safety, and their country. Dickens represents this throughout the novel. In A Tale of Two Cities, many sacrifices, such as Doctor Manette sacrificing his sanity to save Charles Darnay, Miss Pross sacrificing her hearing to keep Lucie safe, and Sydney Carton making the ultimate sacrifice by replacing Darnay to the guillotine, I am made for love. First, Doctor Manette, out of his affection for his daughter Lucie, sacrifices his sanity by giving up his shoemaker's bench and trying to save Charles Darnay from La Force. Initially, Doctor Manette gives up his cobbler's bench, a tool he used to calm himself after his imprisonment in the Bastille. This event occurs after a nine-day relapse into a neurotic state after Charles Darnay revealed his real name to him. Although it is a source of comfort for him, the bench reminds him of his mental weakness and cause for concern for Lucie. Mr. Lorry, present at the relapse, begs him "to sacrifice him... For the sake of your daughter, my dear Manette!" (158). As a matter of fact, Dr. Manette gives up the bench for the love and compassion of his daughter. Later, Doctor Manette uses his authority as a former prisoner of the Bastille to cheer Lucie up by saving Charles Darnay. This delicate situation makes Dr. Manette likely to relapse. Then, after a successful release with Darnay freed and Manette mentally stable... mid-card... Lucie, Charles Darnay, Doctor Manette and the rest of the family appreciate Sydney Carton's magnanimous tenderness. . Just out of pure love and affection Sydney Carton sacrifices her life for the life Lucie loves to keep herself content. In conclusion, sacrifice, especially for love, is a major theme of A Tale of Two Cities, as shown by Dr. Manette sacrificing his sanity, Miss Pross sacrificing her hearing, and Carton going the extreme sacrifice of his life. Dr. Manette loses his sanity for his greatest love for his daughter. Additionally, Miss Pross gives up her hearing for her pride and joy Lucie. Ultimately, Carton makes the greatest sacrifice for the greatest love one could have. Above all, love is the greatest strength and people are willing to sacrifice almost everything for it. Works Cited Dickens, Charles. A tale of two cities. Mineola: Dover, 1999. Print