Jarvis Lorry's Paradoxes In A Tale Of Two Cities

Paradoxes in A Tale of Two Cities

In Charles Dickens’s novel A Tale of two cities, a young girl reunites with her father in the midst of the French Revolution. She and those close to her face dangerous challenges that end in the ultimate sacrifice. Two characters that play an integral role in her life exemplify paradoxes. One of their personality traits contradicts the other in an impossible way. In the novel, Sydney Carton and Jarvis Lorry exhibit paradoxical behaviors, representing the morally wrong French Revolution that retains its promotion of morally correct values.

Jarvis Lorry represents a subtle but compelling paradox in the novel. Priding himself as a man of business, Lorry works pragmatically for his company without reserve.

Upon meeting Lucie, he tells her, ““Miss Manette, I am a man of business.... the story of one of our customers”” (Dickens 27). When Lorry first meets Lucie Manette, he establishes that he is solely there to perform his duty as an employee of Tellson’s Bank. Calling himself a speaking machine, Lorry implies that he lacks emotion. He paints himself as a robotic extension of the company to put Lucie at ease so she can relay her story. While he intends to convey his straightforward approach to Lucie, Lorry actually cares deeply about her and her entire family, making him a paradox. Lorry grows to love Lucie and those close to her. When Lucie is hesitant about meeting her father in France, Lorry comforts her and says, ““A - a - a, business, business!”....”Come in, come in!”” (45). Although he prevented himself as a straightforward man of business to Lucid initially, Lorry developed a bond with her that causes him to cry when he sees her distress, an obvious sign of emotion. He knows that her best interest lies in for her seeing her father. His “not of business” (45) tear explicitly demonstrates his compassion for her. Although Lorry tries to suppress his emotions in the name of business, his concern and affection for the Manette family remain, forming a paradox.
Dickens uses Sydney Carton to exemplify a paradox, who appears like a wretched drunk but has morals and the capacity to sacrifice himself from the beginning.

A wastrel, Carton has no hope for a successful career in law. After paying him fees from the trial, Darnay remarks and Carton responds, ““I think you have been drinking, Mr Carton.... and no man on earth cares for me”” (99). Darnay thanks Carton for saving his life and Carton admits that he has wasted his potential and has no connections in life. Although Carton has immensely more talent in the law than his more successful associate Stryver, his lack of ambition keeps him in the position of the jackal that kills but receives no credit. Despite his unkempt appearance, Carton also retains high morals throughout the novel and has the courage to sacrifice himself all along. He tells Lucie, ““O miss Manette... to keep a life you love beside you!”” (179). Carton tells Lucie to remember his promise of sacrificing his life for one close to her. Carton does not change into a redeeming character, he possesses his strong values from the beginning. Dickens’s portrayal of Carton poses the strongest paradox of the novel as he introduces his character as a drunk and seemingly of no consequence but in the end Carton reveals his sacrificial character that he had all

along.
Jarvis Lorry and Sydney Carton both demonstrate paradoxes. The violence of the French Revolution while still promoting the values liberty, equality, and fraternity present the overall paradox of the novel.