Victorian literature sentimentally displays death and loss through commentary on the human condition. Typically, authors morphed child labor, prison, hunger, and great discontent all together to create emotional scenes of passion and bitterness. Charles Dickens, the author of the classic A Tale of Two Cities, mobilized his agonizing public divorce and surrounding European social turbulences to adequately express the effects of one’s decisions. A Victorian without basic modern health, Dickens understood the brevity of life and valued the purity of noble characters and their sacrifices. The selfless characters of Jarvis Lorry, Miss Pross, and Sydney Carton all make these voluntary sacrifices to advance the lives of others.
Jarvis Lorry, a veteran …show more content…
In Paris, Lucie warns Miss Pross about negative opinions of the revolutionaries. Dickens, through Miss Pross, responds, “‘Well, my sweet, the short and the long of it is, I am a subject of His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Third’; Miss Pross curtseyed at the name; “and as such, my maxim is, Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On him our hopes fix, God save the King!’” (225). Dickens often pairs Miss Pross with red, the color of love and spirit. After quickly departing her precious Britain, Miss Pross is submerged into a war-raging France where she cannot speak nor understand the native language, but does so anyway because of that love and spirit for Lucie. Once in Paris, Miss Pross protects and recalls her nationality in a foreign world through a vibrant and free spirit. Miss Pross’ overflowing adoration and loyalty to both Britain and Lucie are indeed her core values. Yet, her loyalty to Lucie is her highest value, and she chooses Lucie over an early return to Britain without hesitation. During the quick escape from Paris, Mr. Lorry offers Miss Pross and Jerry a later departure from Paris so he, Dr. Manette, and the Darnays can save time. According to plan, she and Jerry would eventually pass the carriage and advance as the leader. Charles Dickens …show more content…
When Darnay recognizes Carton’s responsibility in his London acquittal, Carton without self-confidence dismisses that rare occurrence of recognition. Throughout the book, Dickens calls Carton the jackal and Stryver the lion. In London, the two are partners in law, and Stryver the lion has money and family while Carton sits at the bottom of the food chain. Even though Stryver eats from Carton’s legal scraps and insight, Dickens continuously calls Carton the jackal. Dickens explains, “and [Carton] no more thought of emerging from his state of lion’s jackal, than any real jackal may be supposed to think of rising to be a lion” (163). Carton sacrifices recognition for his work and lets Stryver take credit in fear of the lion’s impulsive reactions. By sacrificing recognition, Carton sacrifices appreciation and applause of his worth from others and a better life. At this point in the book, Carton seems to remain the silent, unsung worker. However, as the story continues, Carton steadily becomes a purposeful, stronger man. Dickens writes, “For the first time in many years, he had no strong drink. Since last night he had taken nothing but a little light thin wine, and last night he had dropped the brandy slowly down on Mr. Lorry’s hearth like a man who had done with it” (262).
Jarvis Lorry, a veteran …show more content…
In Paris, Lucie warns Miss Pross about negative opinions of the revolutionaries. Dickens, through Miss Pross, responds, “‘Well, my sweet, the short and the long of it is, I am a subject of His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Third’; Miss Pross curtseyed at the name; “and as such, my maxim is, Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On him our hopes fix, God save the King!’” (225). Dickens often pairs Miss Pross with red, the color of love and spirit. After quickly departing her precious Britain, Miss Pross is submerged into a war-raging France where she cannot speak nor understand the native language, but does so anyway because of that love and spirit for Lucie. Once in Paris, Miss Pross protects and recalls her nationality in a foreign world through a vibrant and free spirit. Miss Pross’ overflowing adoration and loyalty to both Britain and Lucie are indeed her core values. Yet, her loyalty to Lucie is her highest value, and she chooses Lucie over an early return to Britain without hesitation. During the quick escape from Paris, Mr. Lorry offers Miss Pross and Jerry a later departure from Paris so he, Dr. Manette, and the Darnays can save time. According to plan, she and Jerry would eventually pass the carriage and advance as the leader. Charles Dickens …show more content…
When Darnay recognizes Carton’s responsibility in his London acquittal, Carton without self-confidence dismisses that rare occurrence of recognition. Throughout the book, Dickens calls Carton the jackal and Stryver the lion. In London, the two are partners in law, and Stryver the lion has money and family while Carton sits at the bottom of the food chain. Even though Stryver eats from Carton’s legal scraps and insight, Dickens continuously calls Carton the jackal. Dickens explains, “and [Carton] no more thought of emerging from his state of lion’s jackal, than any real jackal may be supposed to think of rising to be a lion” (163). Carton sacrifices recognition for his work and lets Stryver take credit in fear of the lion’s impulsive reactions. By sacrificing recognition, Carton sacrifices appreciation and applause of his worth from others and a better life. At this point in the book, Carton seems to remain the silent, unsung worker. However, as the story continues, Carton steadily becomes a purposeful, stronger man. Dickens writes, “For the first time in many years, he had no strong drink. Since last night he had taken nothing but a little light thin wine, and last night he had dropped the brandy slowly down on Mr. Lorry’s hearth like a man who had done with it” (262).