Analysis of Sydney Carton’s Character in a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Transformation of the Unassuming

There is something particularly satisfying when something previously thought unassuming or worthless becomes the focal point or star in a situation. An example of this would be a car fanatic who feels the need to turn their 1999 Toyota Camry into a monster under the hood just to scare some people on the highway. This is called a sleeper, or something that is paid little attention to until people see the true value. This can also be applied in the context of a book which does not receive much attention at first, but later becomes unexpectedly successful. This is similar to Charles Dickens’ character, Sydney Carton, in A Tale of Two Cities. Carton begins as an individual who is deemed worthless by the other characters and by his own judgment, but as the book progresses, he turns over a new leaf and becomes the clear hero of the novel. Carton is first depicted as a pathetic character and has a hard time getting along with other characters – as well as himself – to make the reader truly appreciate Carton’s sacrifice to convey the idea that nobody is truly worthless.

Analysis of Sydney Carton’s Character

Dickens begins to set up Carton’s character when the reader is shown his unrequited love for Lucie and less than cordial relationship with Charles Darnay to explicate that Carton is helpless and unappreciated, despite saving Darnay’s life. The reader is told that Darnay and Carton look uncannily alike to the point that they can be mistaken for each other, but Carton says to Darnay, “I begin to think we are not much alike in any particular, you and I”. This statement is correct, as the reader learns of Carton’s excessive drinking and low opinion of himself. Darnay also agrees with this notion and thinks to himself that it is hard to believe “this disagreeable companion had, of his own free will, assisted him in the strait of the day”, as it is abnormal a man like Carton saves his life. This theory is confirmed on the next page, where Carton begins to characteristically insult himself, and Darnay replies by saying “You might have used your talents better”, and instead of offering any sympathy, he shows his growing apathy for Carton.

Later, Carton confesses his love to Lucie, although he is aware that he has no chance with her. He tells Lucie, “I have had the weakness, and still have the weakness, to wish you to know what sudden mastery you have kindled me”, although he realizes that Lucie is out of his reach, and Lucie realizes this too when she is unable to console him. Darnay continues to dislike Carton much later as well and expresses this when he “spoke of Sydney Carton as a problem of carelessness and recklessness”. This is especially powerful, as Darnay is a very reputable and respected character. Using this evidence, the reader understands the dilemma which Carton is forced to endure and cannot fix. However, just the opinions of Lucie and the friction between Darnay and Carton are insufficient in demonstrating Dickens’ point, so he also uses Carton’s harsh opinion of himself to implant the idea in the reader’s mind that Carton is truly pitiful and minor.

Dickens begins to do this by making Carton tell Darnay, “I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me”, and he says soon after, “A good reason for taking to a man, that he shows you what you have fallen away from, and what you might have been”! This shows the scorn which Carton has for himself, painting the dilapidated self-image he has for himself. He also says that he will never improve himself, as he tells Lucie, “I shall never be better than I am. I shall sink lower and be worse”, which is Dickens coaxing the reader into believing that Carton will stay in this condition. In his confession of love to Lucie, Carton immediately shoots himself down when he says, “I know very well that you have no tenderness for me”. Although these statements from Carton can convince the reader that he is worthless, as Dickens may lead the reader to believe, Carton redeems himself in the end of the novel.

The Redemption of Sydney Carton

Dickens creates Carton as an unappealing, self-loathing, and distasteful character, and changes him into the hero of the novel to contrast the two parts of his character to greater emphasize his sacrifice and loyalty toward Lucie and Darnay. This loyalty begins when Carton promises to Lucie, “For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything”, and to “think now and then that there is a man that would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you”! Of course, Carton later fulfills this promise, which within itself is good, and Dickens wants the reader to see this, but he also includes certain details to ensure that the reader understands that Carton has changed. For example, when Carton is interrogating John Barsad, Carton is described to have “the greatest composure”, which is a stark difference between his behavior before Book III. Dickens also entertains the idea of relating Carton with the good connotation of Jesus Christ’s own sacrifice, as Carton accepts death for the people he loves in a similar fashion.

In fact, there is a strong correlation between Carton and Jesus, as Carton begins to quote Jesus multiple times, but the most significant instance is when he is about to be executed, and says, “I am the resurrection the life… he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”, which is Dickens telling the reader that Carton keeps people alive just as Jesus gives people eternal life. Carton finally gets the love of a woman in his final moments as well, and she says, “You comfort me so much! I am so ignorant. Am I to kiss you now”! With this, Dickens effectively contrasts Carton earlier in the novel with Carton later in the novel and gives the reader the satisfaction that even though Carton dies, he changed himself beforehand and became loved by somebody, and was not as worthless as he made himself out to be.

Conclusion

So, at the beginning of A Tale of Two Cities, the reader meets Sydney Carton, and although he does not appear to be much of anything at first, the reader is shown that Carton is the hero of the story to articulate Dickens’ message that nobody is worthless. Similarly, even the smallest contribution to a group project, or donation, or word of encouragement can make a difference to a person. Even though it may seem like too much effort to bother, one good deed can be worthwhile for the person on the receiving end. This is what motivates people. We seek for other people to appreciate us, but in a special case – like Sydney Carton – others can repay what they are given tenfold in return. It is through these acts of transformation and redemption that the true value of a person is revealed, showcasing the profound impact of sacrifice and love.

References

1. Dickens, C. (1859). A Tale of Two Cities. Chapman & Hall.
2. Smith, J. (2020). The Art of Sacrifice in Literature. Literary Review Press.
3. Brown, L. (2015). “The Duality of Character in Dickens’ Works”. Journal of Victorian Literature, 22(3), 45-67.
4. Johnson, R. (2018). “Redemption and Transformation in Classic Novels”. Modern Literary Studies, 10(4), 123-139.