Skye Hendricks

English 12
Cindy Rogers
4 December 2015
A15: Memorable Character Essay
In Charles dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, readers are introduced to a dynamic
character, Sydney Carton. Carton is not recognized for his charm. He could not be characterized
as a kind and loving being. Rather, Carton can be described as a lonely, drunken, man with great
unrealized potential and a strong dislike for people. One would wonder then, what would make
such a menacing character worth remembrance? The answer is found through Cartons dynamic
emotional metamorphosis throughout the novel.
As mentioned, Sydney Carton was considered a dreary, seemingly worthless man. Carton
himself described his existence as a supreme waste of life and, as a result, cared for nothing and
no one (Dickens, 63). Searching for a sense of purpose was an underlying motivator for Carton.
Although he does not state so specifically, readers get the motif after his continuous
proclamations of worthlessness. As time passes throughout the novel, Cartons views on life
begin to evolve as he falls in love with Lucie Manette; a dramatic contrast to Cartons dreary
personality. With her influence, Carton realizes that there is more to life than spite and
selfishness. His understanding of this ideal is evident when he selflessly decides to sacrifice his
life, in order to spare the life of Lucie's husband, Charles Darnay, who had been sentenced to
death by guillotine. Sydney cartons emotional transformation from hateful to selfless makes him
a dynamically memorable character. Personally, Cartons example symbolized a glimmer of hope

for humanity. It proves that even the most menacing of people can become kind and generous if
they are influenced correctly.
Despite his originally foul nature, Carton possessed some amiable qualities. For example,
even though I disliked his drunkenness in the beginning of the novel, I admired Cartons
sensibleness when it came to his profession as a lawyer. His input was respected, though he was
not always sober. It saddens me to read how worthless Carton viewed himself. Lack of purpose
was a major reason why Carton disliked his life. Fortunately though, he found value after falling
in love Lucie. The self-sacrificing nature Carton developed throughout the novel was quite
admirable. It takes great bravery for a man to sacrifice his life for someone who may not have
done likewise. In doing so cartoon proves himself worthy of remembrance.
Dickens novel ends with Sydney Cartons execution. The ending is bitter in that the act
itself is quite vulgar, but in a sense the final scene is also sweet. Carton our dynamically
memorable character dies, but dies satisfied that he has found his purpose; his face depicted as
sublime and prophetic (Dickens, 292) at his time of death. The novel ended in a way that made
readers admire and sympathize Carton. If I were to create an alternative ending, though, I would
write it in a way that allowed Carton to live, and truly enjoy the pleasures of life.
As opposed to ending the novel with Cartons death, I would allow Lucie's husband,
Charles Darnay, to be executed. Although death should not occur at the end of a story, Darnays
death would be necessary for Carton to be with his love, Lucie. Following Darnays execution,
Carton would visit Lucie to comfort her, along with your daughter, as they mourn. As time
passes, without Carton making advances towards her, Lucie begins to fall in love with him. The
woman accepts Carton for who he is, despite his imperfections, allowing Carton to find his

purpose in life. His purpose, being the best version of himself for the sake of Lucie and her
daughter.
Sydney Carton's metamorphosis from a vile drunkard into a selfless man makes him quite
worthy of remembrance. May his example prove to be a lesson for us all, that even the most
horrible people have the power to change for the greater good.
Works Cited
Johnson, A., and Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities. Place of Publication Not Identified:
Pearson Education, 2000. Print.