Throughout the novel A Tale of Two Cities, multiple characters showed strong morals, thoughts and feelings about the French revolution; among these characters are Madame Defarge, Charles Darnay, Marquis Evermonde, etc. However, two characters would be considered to be more ambivalent: Monsieur Defarge and Sydney Carton. Monsieur Defarge, who is quickly judged to be a strong supporter of the revolution, contradicts himself by playing an idle role and being loyal as his wife does the dirty work. Similarly, Sydney Carton starts off by being a useless partner to Stryver, but in the end sacrifices his happiness for the happiness among Lucie, Little Lucie, and Darnay.
Following the development of the many important round characters, Monsieur Defarge …show more content…
And when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think how and that there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you.” (Dickens 189) It is clear that Carton has reached a new level in his willingness of sacrifice at this moment. He literally would give his life for Lucie. (If that’s not sacrifice, I don’t know what is) Earlier he expressed that he does not have much to live for anyways, but no matter, it is still a very big promise. Not only is this a large step for Carton, but also a large change for Lucie. Although she seems to have men dropping at her feet everywhere she goes, (Sydney Carton, Mr. Stryver, Charles Darnay, etc.,) she has probably never had a man promise to die for her. The sacrifice implied here by Carton only intensifies as the story goes on. After Darnay’s second trial, in which he is convicted guilty, Carton is fixed on keeping his promise and dies for the pure happiness of Lucie, Little Lucie, and Darnay. Dickens use of sacrifice could not be more crystal-clear. Although the level of emotion and feeling is complex at this point in the story, Carton has clearly preformed a complete volte-face from his insipid, alcoholic ways to becoming a virtuous, compassionate
Following the development of the many important round characters, Monsieur Defarge …show more content…
And when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think how and that there is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you.” (Dickens 189) It is clear that Carton has reached a new level in his willingness of sacrifice at this moment. He literally would give his life for Lucie. (If that’s not sacrifice, I don’t know what is) Earlier he expressed that he does not have much to live for anyways, but no matter, it is still a very big promise. Not only is this a large step for Carton, but also a large change for Lucie. Although she seems to have men dropping at her feet everywhere she goes, (Sydney Carton, Mr. Stryver, Charles Darnay, etc.,) she has probably never had a man promise to die for her. The sacrifice implied here by Carton only intensifies as the story goes on. After Darnay’s second trial, in which he is convicted guilty, Carton is fixed on keeping his promise and dies for the pure happiness of Lucie, Little Lucie, and Darnay. Dickens use of sacrifice could not be more crystal-clear. Although the level of emotion and feeling is complex at this point in the story, Carton has clearly preformed a complete volte-face from his insipid, alcoholic ways to becoming a virtuous, compassionate