Love In Another Form by Zeleena

Love In Another Form by Zeleena - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

“'For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything,'” promises the brave Sydney Carton to the perfect Lucie Manette. Much more than empty words, this sentence comes purely from the depths of Sydney Carton's heart. He means what he says, as he demonstrates later. In most present-day situations, many extreme promises are not kept, especially those that mention doing anything for someone. When promises are not kept, it diminishes the belief in these words, making words cheaper and more meaningless. However, Sydney Carton defies this. He keeps his word and proves his words' meaning with his actions. He sacrifices his own life and dies for Charles Darnay, the one dearest to Lucie, her husband. When Darnay is sent to be guillotined, Sydney takes his spot and dies for him since he and Darnay look alike. Sydney Carton fully means he would do anything for Lucie, and he does it with serenity and happiness.

Sydney does not take his substituted death sentence bitterly nor as if he owes it to her; he stands in the line because he wants to do anything for her. Sydney Carton is a commendable man who perceives love in a very different way than others do, yet his way is beautifully truthful. The message about love exemplified by Sydney Carton in the novel "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens stands out in my mind, even years after I first read it. He inspires me to be selfless to those I care about, and he reminds me to love whole-heartedly. He is proof that love comes in many different forms and many different expressions. He loved Lucie even when he knew he could not be her love. “'I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul,'” says Sydney Carton. Imagine what he means with those words.