The Gift of a Lifetime: Sacrifice in a Tale of Two Cities Some men are eternally etched in the hearts and minds of those he inspired. He does so in a way that allows his name to live eternally, long after his ephemeral existence. However, what truly distinguishes a man from his lesser counterparts is his willingness to give without taking. In fact, pioneering aviator and author Anne Morrow Lindbergh explains it best when she says that “giving without any reward or warning has a special quality.” In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Dickens shows the inherent goodness of his characters. By exemplifying various acts of sacrifice, he demonstrates that the character's gifts ultimately bring about great changes, often changes that facilitate the rebirth of their loved ones. The very first signs of sacrifice are seen in the opening scenes of the book. Dickens writes of a “fatal revolution” metaphorically comparing the woodsman and the forest ranger to the creation of the guillotine. Dickens notes that in the midst of a revolution, heavy bloodshed is necessary to achieve the revenge the peasants desire. Although the peasants were originally people of good faith, they were forced by the aristocratic government to take drastic actions. Poverty, the mother of all crimes, coupled with the “crushing of humanity once again” by the aristocrats, gave the peasants no choice. Dickens explains here that, due to government negligence, people were forced to sacrifice their good nature and engage in violent acts which caused a period of great animosity and despondency. Sacrifices are often made to strengthen bonds, and no other bond in the novel is stronger than the one Lucie Mannette shares with her father, Dr. Manette. In fact, Lucy went to great lengths to ensure their bond remained strong. In the novel's opening chapters, Lucie, hoping that her pleas will cure her father's madness, devotes herself wholeheartedly to Doctor Manette, ignoring any of his personal desires. He promises his father that if "... I mention to you a house that is before us, I will be faithful to you with all my duty." (46) Lucie's undying devotion to her father is a clear example of how one person's sacrifice can inspire life in another.