Sydney Carton in a Tale of Two Cities

Sydney Carton in A tale of Two Cities

Sydney Carton is the most dynamic character in A Tale of Two Cities. He is first a lazy, alcoholic lawyer who lacks even the slightest amount of interest in his own life. He describes himself as a complete waste of a life and takes every opportunity to declare that he cares for nothing; but one can sense from the initial chapters that Carton feels something that he perhaps cannot express. In his conversation with the recently acquitted Charles Darney, Carton’s comments about Lucie Manette, while extremely hateful and bitter, betray his interest and blossoming feelings about Lucie. Eventually, he reaches the point where he can admit his feelings to Lucie herself. Before Lucie is wed to Charles, Carton professes his love to her but still considers himself as worthless. This scene marks a vital transition for his character is the foundation for the sacrifice he makes at the end of the novel.

Carton’s death is a predictable conclusion to a book based around the themes of (Perhaps tragedy as well?) redemption,