Monsieur Defarge In A Tale Of Two Cities

Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities shows a personal story based around the corrupt time period of the French Revolution. Monsieur Defarge is a kind hearted character, who becomes conflicted between which side to chose. While he wants to overthrow the French government, he disagrees with his wife’s personal grudges, and often tries to talk her into doing what is right. Monsieur Defarge proves to be a round, dynamic character who sees through the hypocrisy of the revolution, but sacrifices what he believes in to benefit the greater good. Monsieur Defarge is a round character within Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, he is an up and coming revolutionary, tired of France’s tyranny and simply wants to make a change by helping

Early within “Book the Third” Defarge arrests Darnay and says to him, “My duty is to my country and the People. I am the sworn servant of both, against you. I will do nothing for you” (Dickens 447). Defarge’s commitment to the revolution is his loyalty to his wife, he does exactly as she says despite it being against morales. This can be seen later when Monsieur Defarge does not feel the same amount of anger as his wife upon discussing his guilt from using Doctor Manette to help sentence Darnay to death: “‘Extermination is good doctrine, my wife,’ said Defarge, rather troubled; ‘in general, I say nothing against it. But this Doctor has suffered much; you have seen him to-day; you have observed his face when the paper was read’” (Dickens 603). Defarge feels remorseful towards Manette and his family, since he was once employed to Manette and cared for him in “Book the First”. Madame Defarge also believes it is necessary to murder Lucie Manette and her daughter as well, Monsieur Defarge argues, “‘No!’ protested Defarge. ‘Not if to lift this glass would do it! But I would leave the matter there. I say, stop there’” (Dickens 604). Although he does not attempt to assassinate Lucie, he stays loyal to the revolution by doing what he told Darnay La Guillotine. He does nothing for him and his family, staying out of the action, and letting his wife carry out her actions for the greater good of the