Carton Redemption

After his meeting with Lucy, Sydney is absent from the novel for quite some time. Before Sydney’s death, Dickens once again explores the subject of his youth. Although Carton’s past is unclear to the reader, Dickens alludes to it frequently throughout the novel as the reason for his current predicament. It is clear that Carton believes that his experience as a youth makes it impossible for him to find redemption. Sydney has never been able to overcome the circumstances of his youth. He is under the impression that any hope for good in his life ended when he was young. Near the end of the novel, after Carton clandestinely decides to take Darnay’s place on the guillotine, he again reflects on his past with Mr. Lorry before he changes with places

Shortly before Carton sacrifices himself to save Darnay, he admits to Mr. Lorry that if he does not secure “‘the love and attachment, the gratitude or respect, of [any] human creature… [if he wins] a tender place in no regard, [if he does] nothing good or serviceable to be remembered by,’” then his life would have been a complete waste (Dickens 308). Carton views his sacrifice as a way to redeem himself to those that see hm as nothing more than a wastrel. Carton admits that “‘[h]e will perish: there is no real hope’” (Dickens 335). At the time, Mr. Lorry believes he is referring to Charles Darnay, but in reality Sydney already knows that he is the one who will die. He has no hope for survival, but he does have hope for redemption. Carton believes that sacrificing himself to save Charles Darnay will make his meaningless life worthwhile. Considering Carton’s love for Lucie, he could have chosen to be selfish and let Darnay die on the guillotine. Carton envies Darnay’s life and sees the man as a symbol of what he could have accomplished. Darnay has the life with Lucie that Sydney wishes could be possible. If Carton had left Darnay on the guillotine, he could have pursued a relationship with Lucie. However, instead of being selfish, Carton preserves her future with Darnay and before he goes to the prison to save Darnay, reminds her of his promise to keep “‘[a] life [she] love[s]’” beside her (Dickens 334). Sydney believes that his redemption is attainable through the lives of Lucie and Charles