In the novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens presented many of the main characters as strong, educated, women who ended up holding the plotline together. These women provided life lessons and a true representation of how life was during France’s Revolutionary times. In this book, the women who made the most significant impressions are Lucie Manette, Madame Defarge, and the seamstress executed near the end of the book. Lucie Manette was a kind-hearted, breathtakingly beautiful woman who gave off rays of hope wherever she went. Anyone who was fortunate enough to reside near and dear to her heart knew the power of the compassion she felt towards others. For instance, a man who no one thought would be capable of affection professed his
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Sydney Carton, the drunk, coarse man he was, expressed to Lucie that she made him feel like there was something worth dreaming about in his mediocre life (Dickens 116). By Carton saying this, Dickens exemplifies the effect Lucie had on the ones around her. If she could change this miserable man, then what else was she capable of? Also, he uses this development to advance his underlying message. If a man as dejected and somber as Carton could change, then why couldn’t a corrupt society do the same? If humanity has a “golden thread” shining rays of hope on the path towards change, then why not try and make change happen? When talking to Dr. Manette, Charles Darnay says, “I well understand that, even if Miss Manette held me at this moment in her innocent heart- do not think I have the presumption to assume so much- I could retain no place in it against the love for her father.” (Dickens 103). By saying this, Darnay is acknowledging that although Lucie has plenty of room in her generous heart for him and many others, her father will always come first. This comes from her natural instinct to nurture those who need nourishment. After Alexandre Manette was released from the Bastille, getting him healthy …show more content…
She was an enraged and vengeful woman who wanted nothing more than to seek revenge on those who have hurt her. This is exemplified when she was talking to Ernest Defarge, The Vengeance, and Jacques Three about how satisfying it would be to guillotine Lucie and her daughter. She does not take into account who will be in agony over their malicious decisions. She believes all that matters is the well-being of the state (Dickens 263). By saying this, Dickens proves that she was so consumed by her thirst for revenge that she disregarded everyone else’s feelings. She didn’t care who thought her methods were unreasonable, or that this was the wrong way to go about the change they all wanted. It was firmly decided that if someone was meddling with the progress being made for the people and the state, they would be immediately executed. When speaking with John Barsad in her wine shop, he says, “You knit with great skill,” and she replies with, “I am accustomed to it.” (Dickens 139). Dickens is saying that Madame Defarge is a proficient knitter and it shows extensively in her work. However, the reasoning behind her constant knitting is not for leisure or relaxation, but for the initial outline of those who would be executed by guillotine. Even when she would partake in an otherwise innocent activity, she still was blinded by her resentment and rage. Madame Defarge was undoubtedly a strong and independent
Sydney Carton, the drunk, coarse man he was, expressed to Lucie that she made him feel like there was something worth dreaming about in his mediocre life (Dickens 116). By Carton saying this, Dickens exemplifies the effect Lucie had on the ones around her. If she could change this miserable man, then what else was she capable of? Also, he uses this development to advance his underlying message. If a man as dejected and somber as Carton could change, then why couldn’t a corrupt society do the same? If humanity has a “golden thread” shining rays of hope on the path towards change, then why not try and make change happen? When talking to Dr. Manette, Charles Darnay says, “I well understand that, even if Miss Manette held me at this moment in her innocent heart- do not think I have the presumption to assume so much- I could retain no place in it against the love for her father.” (Dickens 103). By saying this, Darnay is acknowledging that although Lucie has plenty of room in her generous heart for him and many others, her father will always come first. This comes from her natural instinct to nurture those who need nourishment. After Alexandre Manette was released from the Bastille, getting him healthy …show more content…
She was an enraged and vengeful woman who wanted nothing more than to seek revenge on those who have hurt her. This is exemplified when she was talking to Ernest Defarge, The Vengeance, and Jacques Three about how satisfying it would be to guillotine Lucie and her daughter. She does not take into account who will be in agony over their malicious decisions. She believes all that matters is the well-being of the state (Dickens 263). By saying this, Dickens proves that she was so consumed by her thirst for revenge that she disregarded everyone else’s feelings. She didn’t care who thought her methods were unreasonable, or that this was the wrong way to go about the change they all wanted. It was firmly decided that if someone was meddling with the progress being made for the people and the state, they would be immediately executed. When speaking with John Barsad in her wine shop, he says, “You knit with great skill,” and she replies with, “I am accustomed to it.” (Dickens 139). Dickens is saying that Madame Defarge is a proficient knitter and it shows extensively in her work. However, the reasoning behind her constant knitting is not for leisure or relaxation, but for the initial outline of those who would be executed by guillotine. Even when she would partake in an otherwise innocent activity, she still was blinded by her resentment and rage. Madame Defarge was undoubtedly a strong and independent