Who Is Sydney Carton Honorable In A Tale Of Two Cities

The novel A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, takes place in one of history’s most influential era’s - the French Revolution. Dickens perfectly captures this period whilst creating a memorable storyline with themes of love, revenge, resurrection and much more. Sydney Carton – a main character in this text who spends his nights doing the lawyer’s Mr. Stryver’s legal work while intoxicated, falls in love with Lucie Manette – the daughter of a French doctor, but realizes that Lucie would never be able to love a man like himself. One of the many qualities Carton possesses is honor. Honor is placing others before yourself, being courteous, and overcoming demanding obstacles. Carton is honorable because he puts others before himself, cares for

others, and overcomes rough challenges.
Throughout the novel, A Tale Of Two Cities, Carton shows multiple times that he puts others before himself.

The first time this is shown is when Carton does all Stryver’s work for him even when he gets little in return. It is said “that although Sydney Carton would never be a lion, he was an amazingly good jackal, and that he rendered suit and service to Stryver in that humble capacity.” (Dickens 92) With this metaphor, Dickens is trying to show that Carton does all the work for Stryver, but receives no credit for his help. This is also shown when Dickens is describing their work environment and says that “The lion then composed himself on his back on a sofa on one side of the drinking-table, while the jackal sat at his own paper-bestrewn table proper, on the other side of it, with the bottles and glasses ready to his hand. Both resorted to the drinking-table without stint, but each in a different way; the lion for the most part reclining with his hands in his waistband, looking at the fire, or occasionally flirting with some lighter document; the jackal, with knitted brows and intent face, so deep in his task, that his eyes did not even follow the hand he stretched out for his glass—which often groped about, for a minute or more, before it found the glass for his lips.” ( Dickens 93) This is explaining that Carton is doing all of Stryver’s work while Stryver is just lounging around, not putting in any effort. Whether Carton is doing this to actually help Stryver, or just

because he has nothing better to spend his time or efforts in to, he still is putting someone else’s priorities and life before his own. Another prime example of when Carton puts others in front of himself is when he sacrifices his life for Lucie’s husband Darnay so that Lucie and her family will be happy. Right before Darnay was supposed to be executed, Carton took his place, so that Darnay would live and Lucie would be happy. When waiting to be executed, a seamstress who realizes he is not Darnay asks “”“Are you dying for him?””” He answers with “”“And his wife and child. Hush! Yes.””” (Dickens 366) This clearly shows he is sacrificing himself for Lucie and her family.
One way Carton cares for others is the way he confesses his love for Lucie. The chapter where this event occurs is titled “The Fellow of No Delicacy”, the name of this title is ironic because Carton’s proclamation of love for Lucie is much more deep and impressive than Stryver’s who was tiled as “The Fellow of Delicacy”. With the title and the contents of this chapter, it is understood that Carton is extremely caring of others. When Carton is leaving the Manette’s house he says to Lucie””” “O Miss Manette, when the little picture of a happy father’s face looks up in yours, when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!””” ( Dickens 159) This shows that Carton has profound concern about Lucie and her family and therefore is caring for others.
Catron’s biggest obstacle in this book is debatably himself.

Catron constantly feels that negative about himself. In the beginning of the story he describes himself as “”“a disappointed drudge””” (Dickens 90) he also goes on to say that, “”“I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me.””” (Dickens 90) as well as “”“There is nothing in you to like; you know that.””” (Dickens 90) Carton obviously has no self-esteem and thinks very poorly of himself. However at the end of the book, Carton finally feels at peace with himself. This is shown moments before he was going to be killed, and his face was said to be “the peacefullest man’s face ever beheld there. Many added that he looked sublime and prophetic.” (Dickens 385) It is also said that if he could write down his thoughts at this time that he would have wrote “I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy, in that England which I shall see no more. I see Her with a child upon her bosom, who bears my name.” (Dickens 386) This shows that he feels honorable about his decision and himself. He knows that Lucie and Darnay will name one of their children after him and that he will bring a good meaning back to his

name.
In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton, is a major character, who is able to do rigorous legal work while intoxicated, and falls in love with Lucie Mantette, only to recognize they will never be together. Nonetheless, Catron remains is honorable. Honor is placing others before yourself, being courteous, and overcoming demanding obstacles. Carton is honorable because he puts others before himself, cares for others, and overcomes rough challenges.