Pross And Manette

When people are motivated by love, they can do anything. In the book A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens a common theme is that love drives people to do extreme things. Many characters show love in their own ways, such as Miss. Pross and Madame Defarge. Miss. Pross - Lucie Manette’s caretaker since she was young - and Madame Defarge - the main antagonist - show love in the most unique way. They both show that love is the most powerful emotion through their feelings about the Manettes, motivations for their actions, and how love gives them strength.

Their feelings about the Manettes show how love is the most powerful emotion. When talking to Mr. Lorry about Lucie getting married, Miss. Pross says, “But it really is doubly and trebly hard to have crowds and multitudes of people turning up after him (I could have forgiven him), to take Ladybird’s affections away from me” (pg. 99). Miss. Pross loves Lucie like she is her own daughter and she hates the thought of someone taking Lucie away from her; however, she understands that she will have to leave the nest someday. Once Charles Darnay, Lucie’s husband, is set to be executed, Madame Defarge says, “But, the Evremonde people are to be

exterminated, and the wife and child must follow the husband and father” (pg. 362). Madame Defarge’s love for revenge makes her forget all about her past with the Manettes. She is determined to kill each and every one of them, no matter what.
What motivates Miss. Pross and Madame Defarge is driven by love. While talking to Mr. Lorry about Lucie, she says, “‘There never was, nor will be, but one man worthy of Ladybird,’ said Miss Pross; ‘and that was my brother Solomon’” (pg. 100). Miss. Pross thinks that no one but her own kin is worthy of Lucie. Her love drives her to protect Lucie, even from the smallest things. When Madame Defarge was plotting to kill Lucie and her family, she is described as such, “But, imbued from her childhood with a brooding sense of wrong, and an inveterate hatred of a class, opportunity has developed her into a tigress” (pg. 365). Madame Defarge’s love for revenge drove her to lust for it. That lust turns her into a cold-hearted killer who cares about nothing but avenging her family.
Love is something that gives Madame Defarge and Miss.

Pross strength. Towards the end of the novel, Miss. Pross and Madame Defarge face-off once and for all, and Madame Defarge is at a severe disadvantage, “Miss Pross, with the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger than hate” (pg. 372). Madame Defarge is driven by nothing but hate and lust for revenge. Her hate manifests her weakness and she is not able to gain strength because it is all she focuses on. Miss. Pross is the one with the advantage against her, “I am stronger than you, I bless Heaven for it. I’ll hold you till one or other of us faints or dies!” (pg. 372). Miss. Pross’ love and desire to protect her family gives her strength. Love will always trump hate and be the emotion that drives people to

superiority.
Everything Miss. Pross and Madame Defarge do is because of love. Their feelings about the Manettes, motivation for their actions, and the source of their strength show that love is the most powerful emotion. Miss. Pross is motivated to protect Lucie because of her love, and Madame Defarge is motivated by her love of her deceased family and need to avenge them. Without love, these two characters would not be as passionate about their goals.