Light and Dark

Charles Dickens uses light and dark to illustrate hope for Lucie and Dr. Manette's relationship. To illustrate Dickens writes, "...on her fair young face, that looked as though she passed like a moving light" (Dickens 32). Lucie is the light to her father's world. Dickens shows that Lucie is going to shed light on Dr. Manette and help him with his depression. He didn't even know that he had a child, let alone that child living to an adult and finding him one day. Another example is when Dickens states, "'I want.' said Defarge: to let in a little more light here. You can bear a little more?" (Dickens 30). This conversation is between Defarge and Dr. Manette is when Lucie walk in. Lucie was the light being brought into the room. Lucie is going to bring good/light into his life. He has been locked up in a prison for over 18 years, so anything good that will come his way he will take. Later, when they hug, "his cold white head mingled with her radiant hair, which warmed and lighted it as though it were the light of Freedom shining on him" (Dickens 34). The warmth and love of his daughter are strong enough to bring Doctor Manette back from the cold, horrible place his mind has gone to during his years in prison. His daughter is his chance to bring back his old self that has seemed to vanish. Ultimately, Charles Dickens shows hope when Dr. Manette and Lucie meet by using light and dark.