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Sydney Carton is one of the most important and interesting characters in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. The essence of his character is the dramatic change he makes throughout the book. Even though he starts the book as a miserable drunkard, he gradually shows signs of feelings for other people and ultimately gives up his own life for the sake of others. Dickens demonstrates through Sydney Carton’s trajectory to a hero that people who start life appearing worthless can often make remarkable transformations.

In the beginning of the book, Sydney Carton is set up as intelligent and observant but is portrayed as a drunkard whose low self-esteem leads him to have problems with others. Carton is a lawyer who is defending Charles Darnay, who is on trial for allegedly spying for the French. At first, Carton’s associate, John Stryver, appears to be doing the majority of the work at the beginning of the trial, questioning the witnesses, while Carton aimlessly stares off into space. Their case was falling apart, with witness after witness testifying that they saw Charles Darnay incriminating himself. Carton emerges from his trance and suggests that Stryver point out the remarkable similarity of appearance between Darnay and Carton. This led to credible doubts if the witnesses were really seeing who they thought they saw. Although Carton comes up with this idea, Stryver presents it and therefore takes credit for it. The idea of Carton doing work for Stryver continues. Throughout this scene, Dickens compares Sydney Carton to a “jackal” and Stryver to a “lion”. As Carton works on Stryver’s cases he is described as, (Dickens 91). A jackal is an animal that hunts for lions. However after killing the meat, the lion chases...

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...al actions are those of kindness to a frightened fellow human being. Before he is executed Sydney Carton reflects upon his existence, saying This quote demonstrates the Sacrifice that Carton makes for Lucie and her family, as a result of the change he undergoes in becoming a better man. At the end of his life, he realizes in the past he was not perfect and had made mistakes. The sacrifice and heroism also give him inner peace when he dies.

Sydney Carton died heroically. The fact that he started the book as such a selfish and uncaring person makes this heroism all the more significant. It also makes him seem to be a much more realistic and relatable character: he has flaws but grows to overcome them. Interestingly, if Carton did not have initial flaws he may not have understood the magnitude of what he has “done” and the quality of “rest” he now deserves.