He arguably represented some of the worst vices of humanity, and in saving innocent lives he demonstrates some of the best characteristics of humanity. His choosing to squander his ability and intellect by drinking to excess shows great foolishness, yet his decision to save his friends shows a degree of wisdom. It is also important to notice the religious implications of this quotation. The reference to the time of the novel as one of "belief" can be interpreted to refer to religious belief, especially given the large amount of imagery and passages related to Christ and the concept of redemption. Lastly, it is worth noting that Carton's sacrifice is one which may make him worthy of going to a celestial paradise, while his previous actions certainly seem to incline him towards an afterlife in hell. Essentially, this passage foreshadows the extreme character changes that Carton goes through, while emphasizing the novel's theme of a resurrection of good to triumph over evil. Yet even before Carton surprises the reader by sacrificing his life for those of his friend, Dickens offers a few glimpses of the good within him which will eventually triumph in the end. Even when the young man is at his lowest point, such as after a hard night of drinking with Stryver after the pair has won the case that frees Darnay, the author makes it quite clear that he has the potential to turn all of his waste to good. This potential seems especially brightened after Carton has met Lucie at the court that day. Upon his leaving the home of Styver (in the morning, after a night of drinking), it is this mention of Lucie that directly precedes the following quotation in which the author foreshadows Carton's redemption.

Waste forces within him, and a desert all around, this man… saw for a moment… a mirage honourable ambition, self-denial, and perseverance. In…this vision, there were airy galleries from...

A moment, and it was gone.
There is no denying the religious implications of this passage, or its correlation to Dickens primary theme of redemption and resurrection of good over evil. This passage is powerful because that resurrection is within Carton. Despite the fact that physically he is surrounded by the dullness of the city, within him there are biblical allusions to the garden of Eden and its "fruits of life." This goodness offers Carton, and the reader, hope for the character's moral turnaround at the end of the play, which this passage foreshadows.

A close read of "A Tale of two Cities" reveals that the Dickens is actually carefully foreshadowing the surprising ending in which the previously morally bankrupt Carton commits an act of nearly divine goodness. The author uses the themes within the novel to foreshadow Carton's triumph, which is actually the victory of good over evil that is the principle them of the tale. The religious imagery pertaining to Jesus and the crucifixion, which Carton's sacrifice is likened to, provides material for Dickens' foreshadowing. Additionally, Dickens uses a lot of references to polar opposites to suggest his theme of good's triumph over evil. The ultimate polar opposite in this story, of course, is Carton's selfless sacrifice at the end of the tale, which directly contradicts his uncaring, waste of talent that typifies most of his behavior prior to his death. All of the religious imagery and the opposition of principles merely suggest that good can overcome evil, and that both of these forces can come from the same place.

Works Cited

Dickson, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. www.literature.org. 1859. Web. http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/two-cities/book-02/chapter-05.html