Sydney Carton Underdog Hero English Literature Essay

Sydney Carton: Underdog Hero. Sydney Carton develops throughout A Tale of Two Cities in a variety of ways. Dickens uses literary devices abundantly in the novel, some which contribute to the development of Sydney. The uses of symbolism, foreshadowing, mold and shape Sydney and thicken the plot for readers. The other characters in the novel prove to help move Sydney’s progress along. Darnay, Lorry, Lucie, and a few other minor characters determine that Sydney is encouraged toward reaching his goal of finding a purpose in life. Dickens successfully portrays Sydney differently than he portrays any other characters in the novel. Dickens establishes that Sydney is the most dynamic character, that he possesses Christ-like behavior, and that if Sydney hadn’t developed successfully, none of the loose ends would be tied up. The character development of Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities is conveyed by Dickens through the use of literary devices, the reactions of other characters, and the unique way Dickens portrays Carton as the underdog hero.

Sydney Carton was an unmotivated alcoholic who transformed his wasted and useless life by performing a selfless act of heroism. Sydney is a “disappointed drudge” who does not care about anybody and “no man cares” for him (2.4.70). In the beginning, Carton was a lazy, alcoholic attorney who cares about nothing in life. He believes his life is an extreme waste. He is crude, frequently drunk, and melancholy. One night after work, Sydney climbed into a “high chamber” and threw himself down on a neglected bed with a “pillow that was wet with wasted tears” (2. 5. 97). Most view him as a loser, but Mr. Stryver, with the assistance of a little alcohol, clearly made that point, and sadly enough Sydney realized it. At that moment he finally realized who he was becoming, and it depressed him beyond words. At that moment a new Carton arose. This new Carton was someone who cared for others. He wanted people to think that his actions were motivated by simply wanting to make a difference in the lives of those he cared for. One person he deeply cared for was Lucie and she eventually became his motivation to change and renew his own life.

As the story progressed Carton obviously changed, and consequently became the hero. At the beginning of the book he was angry at the world and quite lonely too. Life for him revolved around his work, and everything else did not really matter. Until Lucie Manette entered his life, immediately after meeting Lucie he was a different man. Thinking “for you” , made it very clear that he loved her and cared for her so much that he “would do anything” for her (2.13.173). Admitting that he would do anything for her, or for her loved ones, the reader could almost say that he was resurrected through her. Walking through France, he begins to quote a biblical passage, “I am the resurrection and the life” and “liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (3.9.366). This not only was comfort for him in a rather obscure environment, but was Dickens way of reminding the reader that one could become changed or resurrected.

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Dickens finally reveals the heroic Carton and the last step of change at the end of the story. Before the guillotined dropped the seamstress had “hope and comfort” because Sydney was “sent to her from heaven” (3.15.443). Carton was her hero and reminded her to not mind any other object or the life she had before. He was her guardian because Sydney Carton learned how to care for people because of his infinite love for Lucie. Sydney knew it was a “far better thing that I do” for Darnay and Lucie and that it is a “far better rest” to sacrifice for his beloved friends (3.15). If Carton gave up his life because he had to then that would still make him a suitable hero, but not a great one that would be remembered. In the creation of the story Carton may have been selfish, but as he grew to love Lucie more, he became caring and generous towards others. By giving up his life for someone he loves and doing it because it is the right thing to do makes Sydney Carton a truly noble hero that rose out of many self-sacrifices.

Sydney Carton has developed successfully in Dickens’s novel A Tale of Two Cities because of the literary devices used, the influences of other characters, and the distinctive portrayal of his character. Since Dickens developed Carton so beautifully and flawlessly, the reader can have a sense of grief for the sacrifice of Sydney Carton’s life, or at least a sense of closure to the novel. Carton’s romantic and tragic end, ironically, was the highlight of his life. Through him, desolation was filled for the suffering families, the revolutionaries, and the reader. Dickens created a character that shows that there is a purpose for everyone, no matter how many mistakes were made in the past.

Works Cited Page

Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. Edited and with an introduction and notes by Richard Maxwell. London: Penguin Classics (2003)

Lauren Wood

Liu ½

AP euro

1/28/13

Sydney Carton: The Underdog Hero