Carton Switch Places With Darnay

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.

After a certain time period has passed, the exemplary Darnay married Lucie, to the grief, but understanding, of Carton. Shortly thereafter, the French revolution broke out and Darnay, who was the relative of an aristocrat, was arrested and sentenced to death. Carton, however, wanted to redeem his wasted life and, heroically snuck into the prison. Now Carton must decide whether he should switch places with Darnay.

Everyone agrees that Carton began as a malefactor.

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

character.

Redemption is a profound quality that can only be obtained by the most lowly of people, yet it is what brings those same people to the top. Carton should use his situation to seek redemption from a variety of people. First, Carton’s redemption should be with Lucie. This is because of the skewed image she possesses of him, one that was only that of being a drunkard without a future. Second, he would be able to redeem himself with Darnay, who had always thought of him the same way as Lucie, but with extra jealously, because of Carton’s affection for Lucie. Lastly, Carton should continue with his deed because he could redeem himself with himself. If he made the decision to rescue Darnay, maybe he could end his life with such honor, that it would wash away all of his former transgressions that haunted him day and night. Carton would redeem himself with Lucie. Carton would redeem himself with Darnay. Carton would redeem himself with himself.

Although he did not express it outwardly, Carton cared about numerous people. These people that he loved he could save with one selfless act. The first of these is the most obvious and that is Darnay. Of course, by having his place taken by Carton at the guillotine, his own neck would be saved, but it would also reveal to him that, even though Carton had feelings for his beloved Lucie, Carton favored him, also and did not envy him. After Darnay’s arrest, the revolutionists planned to kill Lucie and her father, Dr. Manette, but only Darnay knew of their demise. Thus, if Carton should free Darnay, Darnay could go and warn Lucie and her father and then flee the city with them. Carton would unknowingly be saving three lives, if he chooses to heroically took Darnay’s place.

Although portrayed on the outside as a drunkard with no hope of a future, Carton now has a chance to show the world his true colors that hide within. The many types of character that he possessed that he would display, all begins with Nobility. The nobleness that it would take to knowingly go to his death in order to save someone, would resound for generations to come. Going hand in hand with this noble deed would be the honor that would be granted to him upon the dropping of the blade that would end his life. Because, there is no greater honor than that of a man who lays down his life for a friend. Lastly, humility would be placed upon the crown of characters to sit upon Carton’s memory, if he sacrificed his life for another.

Even when shown all of the previous evidence, many believe that Carton should still not switch places with Darnay in prison.

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

convince.

In summary of the arguments that were presented in support of the thesis that Carton should switch places with Darnay in prison, are as follows: Carton would redeem his past, Carton would save lives, and Carton would display his inner character. The next step that Carton should take to follow up on his decision to save Darnay’s life, would be to switch clothes with Darnay. Though the cost for this action would be that Carton would die in place of Darnay, Carton would be redeemed from his lowly past and instead be remembered for his courageous final act of salvation.