How Does Sydney Carton Change In A Tale Of Two Cities

976 Words4 Pages
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair” (Dickens 1). Set in a time period of striking differences and obvious contrasts, A Tale of Two Cities incorporates and highlights the rapid changes of the French Revolution as they overcome the characters’ lives. These serious changes noticeably transform the characters, especially Sydney Carton, as they are forced to overcome trials, mature, and strengthen relationships. In Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton, a bitter, somber man who has no reason to live, “resurrects” into a selfless hero due to his devoted love for Lucie Manette. When Sydney Carton is first…show more content…
There is nothing in you to like; you know that…he shows you what you have fallen away from, and what you might have been! Change places with him, and would you have been looked at by those blue eyes as he was, and commiserated by that agitated face as he was?’” (Dickens 76). Darnay is a “well-grown and well-looking…young gentleman” (Dickens 55) who is able to use his abilities and potential to gain respect and strengthen his relationships while Carton, his foil, is “a dissappointed drudge” (Dickens 76) who is incapable of helping himself and resorts to heavy drinking as a source of consolation to relieve himself of his depression and unhappiness. As Carton expresses his feelings about Lucie and compares himself to Darnay, he recognizes that his miserable lifestyle has made him lose his interest in living, sparking jealousy and hatred towards Darnay because Darnay is everything that he is not but could have been. Furthermore, when Carton is about to leave Stryver’s home after helping him solve his cases,…show more content…
For instance, when Carton goes to the Manette house to talk to Lucie Manette, he professes “‘I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you…think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!’” (Dickens 140). Carton’s affection for Lucie enables him to develop selflessness and conquer all the misgivings he encounters, including the fact that she does not love him back, as the devoted love he feels for her inspires him to make Lucie and her loved ones a priority over himself. Because Lucie’s well-being is very important to him, instead of living with the possibility that she may mourn for her loved ones for the rest of her life, Carton is prepared to contribute to her happiness through sacrificing his life for her loved ones when the time comes. Moreover, Carton’s dynamic transformation into a passionate, noble man escalates in France while he is waiting to carryout his promise because as he escorts Miss Pross back to her temporary home, Miss Pross notices “that as she pressed her hands onto Syndey’s arm and looked up into his face…there was a braced purpose in the arm and a kind of inspiration in the eyes, which not only contradicted him light manner, but changed and raised the man” (Dickens 278). Carton’s “resurrection” reaches its peak and becomes clear through his

More about How Does Sydney Carton Change In A Tale Of Two Cities

Open Document