Tale of Two Cities Have you ever had to choose between living out your life and redeeming your image to mankind? Well, if so, then you and Sydney Carton, from the “Tale of Two Cities”, have something greatly in common. It all begins when Carton meets Charles Darnay in a tavern. Cartons life changed in the tavern. Darnay’s life changed in the tavern. Lucie’s life changed in that tavern. Here Carton, who had previously decided to spend his days as a drunkard, expresses his passionate feelings on his life with his newly found companion. Among these was the feeling of deep and profound love that Carton possessed for a lovely lady by the name of Lucie Manette. Unbeknownst to him, however, Darnay possessed the same inner desires for the lady. …show more content…
However, there is much debate between the decisions he should make regarding the impromptu crossroad. Some believe that Carton should switch places with Darnay, while others argue that Carton should not switch places with Darnay. The argument that will be presented, stands firmly on the side of the debate that states that Carton should switch places with Darnay in prison, based primarily on three reasons. First, because Carton could redeem himself, second, because Carton could save lives, and third, because Carton could display his inner …show more content…
The first reason that they present as to why their side of the argument is valid is the premise that Carton could save his own existence by not sacrificing his life. However, this is invalid on the basis of logic, for if Carton saved his life by not sacrificing it, he would continue down the drunkard path he had lead before and would, in the end, die a dishonorable death at the hands of intoxication. Another point that the negative use is that, if Carton lets Darnay die, then Lucie would be fair game for him and maybe then he could finally be with the woman of his dreams. Again, this is also an invalid dispute because as evidence from the past would prove, Lucie was only interested in gentleman, and Carton, being the drunkard that we know him to be, would not fit that category. Thus, the disagreement that Carton should not switch places with Darnay in prison is invalid, since the fact that Carton would save his own life, and that he would get Lucie, do not
... Carton states earlier in the novel that he is willing to give up his life not only for Lucie herself, but for those who she loves the most. Towards the end of the novel, exactly that happens with Carton replacing himself for Lucie’s husband, Charles Darnay. By mentioning to Lucie that he is willing to sacrifice himself for Lucie is a very humble gesture by Carton, brings the book full circle, and is additional proof that Carton symbolizes a Christ-figure. This passage carries a lot of literary weight because throughout the novel, Sydney looks down on himself. Sydney does not believe he is smart or worthy of anything good. He does most of the work but rarely takes the credit and a great deal of selflessness can be seen upon Sydney Carton. Duality plays an important and similar role in developing the symbolism. The book takes place in two places: England and France.
He paid the highest cost of sacrifice with his life. A biblical allusion can be seen because Carton can represent Jesus Christ and the famous wine scene shows the blood of Jesus and how France is corrupted. Carton described Darnay as “a dissolute dog who has never done any good, and never will.” However, he sacrificed his life for him and his family. This enforces the idea that Carton is similar is a an allusion to Jesus because Jesus sacrificed his life for the people who treated him poorly. However, Carton shows in the passage how he is envious of Darnay. He feels that Darnay is controlling what he could have possibly controlled which is Lucie’s love. Later, Carton meets Lucie and lets her know that he will do anything for her happiness and her family. the significance in this quotation is that it shows how complex Carton’s character is unlike what is shown in the passage as being fragile and has a lot of mood
During the final event of the book, Carton sacrifices his life. He saves Darnays life purely for the happiness of Lucie. Carton drugs Darnay and Barsad takes him to the carriage outside where his family is waiting.
Sydney Carton, one of the main characters of the book, A Tale of Two Cities, is a drunken lawyer who works with Stryver on the trial of Charles Darnay.he doesnt care about anything. At first this man seems as if he is a lazy, good for nothing, alcoholic. he tells Lucie Manette he doesn't believe that his life is worth anything and feels as if it is pointless to even live anymore. When you first meet him during the court scene it looks as if he just rolled out of bed and was dragged to the courtroom. This one man sat leaning back, with his torn gown half off him, his untidy wig put on just sat it had happened to light on his head after it's removal, his hands in his pockets, and his eyes on the ceiling as they had been all day. Something especially reckless in his demeanor not only gave him a disreputable look, but so diminished the strong resemblance he undoubtedly bore to the prisoner. However after he meets Lucie he falls madly in love for her. This marks a period of change for Sydney Carton. But he then knows that Charles Darnay is going to be married to her. He sill believes that his life is worthless but it seems as if he's a bit more willing to work and to do things for other people.
When it comes to making decisions, you must be mindful of how it can affect others because you won’t be able to take it back. In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dicken, our protagonist Charles Darnay is faced with two difficult decisions, that may change his life for the worse. Jarvis Lorry receives a letter from France, that has Gabelle pleading for help as his country is at the brink of a Revolution. Darnay simply cannot turn his back on Gabelle or on his country. But, leaving England can compromise the safety and security of his family, which can make them vulnerable. Despite the dangers, Darnay should remain loyal toward his family, so to prevent further harm.
Carton thinks, “I see a child who lay upon her bosom and who bore my name, a man whining his way up in that path of life which once was mine. I see him whining it so well, that my name is made illustrious there by the light of his” (364). The child that Carton foresees will become the man Carton always wanted to be. Not only did his fate benefit Darnay and his descendants, but Carton was rid of his past miseries that made him a prisoner during his life. Upon hearing about Darnay’s imprisonment, Dr. Manette attempted to change Darnay’s fate of dying by the guillotine. Dr. Manette promised, “I knew I could help Charles out of all danger; I told Lucie so” (253). However, Dr. Manette’s forgotten past of his unjust imprisonment in Bastille reappears through his own letter denouncing Darnay, giving Carton his golden opportunity to give himself for Darnay. After taking the letter addressed to the Marquis St. Evrémonde, Darnay was surprised upon reading the letter to know that his loyal servant Gabelle was in danger and felt compelled to save Gabelle. “...the winds and streams had driven him within the influence of the Loadstone Rock, and it was drawing him to itself, and he must go. Everything that arose before his mind drifted him on, faster and faster, more and more steadily, to the terrible attraction” (234). After Carton fulfilled his fate of sacrificing himself, Darnay was freed from his attachment with France and settled in England once and for all. Through the connections of the character’s imprisonment, Dickens illustrates that only a sacrifice could change the fate of
This quote shows that Carton wishes he had been a better person, and knows that he could have been as successful as Darnay if only he had applied himself to his job or found love. Sydney Carton is a man deep in self-doubt and self-hatred. He is an alcoholic who is often moody and depressed (Moss and Wilson). Carton has an extremely low opinion of himself, and has no happiness or love in his life. Carton’s sacrifice ultimately purifies him, and saves him from his own self-loathing. Though Carton’s strength comes from his love for Lucie, his apathy for his life does as well; “he is a brooding individual, socially outcast, and both driven and tormented by an impossible love.” (Gonzalez-Posse 346) This quote shows Carton’s unattainable need to
Throughout his lifetime, Sydney Carton squandered numerous opportunities, dismissing his intelligence and diligence behind the idea that his life was a waste. Convinced under the false pretense that his life has been a lost cause, he does nothing to help himself. However, through his love for Lucie, Carton discovers that
... by his daughter and he is returned to sanity. Sydney Carton's life is changed from despair to honor. Because of the great change in Carton, Darnay's life is spared. The power of love and determination is clearly exemplified by the resurrection of Dr. Alexander Manette, Sydney Carton, and Charles Darnay.
		Sydney Carton has been presented as the worthless human being. He was always drunk. He did not acquire any high social position. He was always alone and lonely. Nobody loved him and nobody respected him. "I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me" said Carton (page 99). However, Sydney Carton did never cause any harm to anybody, but actually helped the people around him. Sydney Carton was physically identical to Charles Darnay. When Darnay was being prosecuted for treason against the English government, Carton allowed Mr. Stryver (the lawyer Carton worked for) to reveal him "Look well upon that gentleman, my learned friend there, and then look well upon the prisoner. How say you? Are they very like each other?" said Stryver (page 86). "My lord inquired of Mr. Stryver, whether they were next to try Mr. Carton for treason? But Mr. Stryver replied no" (Page 86). The court then released Darnay. This was one of the ways Sydney Carton presented assistance to others, and that shows that he is a good person who does not mind helping other people. After the trial Carton and Darnay met with each other, and they had a talk. Mr. Carton had told Darnay that he hated him because Lucy loved him. Couple of months after this incident, Mr. Carton asked to meet with Mr. Darnay. Carton asked Darnay to forgive him for the previous incident and also asked him to be his friend. "Mr. Darnay, I wish we might be friends" said Carton (page 251) "On the drunken occasion in...
She believes that they are dangerous to her life. Carton notices her fear, and immediately reassures her: “‘I take them into mine! . I ask no questions and make no stipulations’” (107). This foreshadows his eventual willingness to sacrifice himself to the Paris mob in Darnay's place. He presents himself as a chivalrous man, willing to do anything to protect Lucie Manette.
The most dynamic character in Charles Dickens, 'A Tale of Two Cities,' appears as Sydney Carton. First, Carton presents himself as a drunk, lazy attorney, who feels as though his life has no meaning. However, Carton as well as others know deep down that his life does have true meaning. Carton professes his love to Lucie Manette. Inexplicably, Carton becomes a changed man; this important turning point molds the remainder of the novel. After he exits the den, he finds his independence. When Sydney Carton becomes enlightened, he transforms into a Christ-like figure. He begins to shoulder his way through life.
He now looked at things with a more positive attitude and a new personal strength was seen in his later actions. Carton’s final act in this novel shows what a brave man he was and how he acts upon his true love for Lucie. After the second arrest of Charles Darnay, Carton urges Dr. Manette to attempt to use his influence to free Charles. When Carton is speaking with little Lucie, Charles and Lucie’s daughter, she begs him to do something to save her father. After Carton leaves the Manette’s house, he devises a plan to switch places with Darnay.
...he will do anything for her, even die for someone she loves. Lucie recalls Sydney by opening him up to doing something with his life. He later uses this new mindset to save Charles’s life. After Sydney is inspired to make something of his life he vows to do something good. To do this, he dies for Charles Darnay to show his love for Lucie. This is how Sydney Carton is recalled to life.
Charles Darnay, Evremonde as we know him, is a rich leader of France. On the other hand, a lawyer, whose name is Sydney Carton, seems to not care about anyone but himself. However, when he met Lucie Manette, his life was changed a little bit and added her in his circle of obligation. Both of these guys, in our case Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, felt something unique to Lucie Manette. While Darnay is being sentenced for treason and Lucie is one of the witnesses against Darnay, Carton seems to see the similarity between himself and Darnay and presented it to the court of law The Court of Law point out some similar appearances between them and no one is quite sure if both ...