Summary of A Tale of Two Cities - by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities is the story of two cities, London and Paris, during the tumultuous and violent period leading up to the French Revolution. In the novel, the two cities are pitted against each other and are contrasted through the eyes of the novel’s narrator. Through the narrative, Dickens explores historical events and ideas such as the structures of power, class tension, patriotism, and the plight of the poor and oppressed. It follows the lives of several major characters through various dramatic plot twists and themes such as rebirth and resurrection, fate and destiny, and sacrifice and redemption. The novel's concluding lines, "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done" reveals the redemption of main character Sydney Carton who sacrifices his life to save his friends.