Jackal Unity In A Tale Of Two Cities

Life. The most colossal rollercoaster of them all. An ecstasy of blessings. That is, if one chooses for it to be. All humans are given a place in this world, having no choice of the certain circumstances one might enter. In this century, France can be viewed as a luxurious travel destination, a place to gnaw on large baguettes whilst watching the Eiffel Tower dazzle in the dusk sky. Though, rewind the clock to nearly 250 years ago, and the lavish country was undergoing complete and utter turmoil, led by vicious upheaval and outrage. Ingeniously written by Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities takes place during this disastrous time. However, despite the intense violence during this historical time frame, Dickens is able to beautifully incorporate
This dysfunctional unity can be seen in various situations- war battles, bosses and clients in the workplace, and even in the notebooks and classwork of students. Though, one distinct representation of this flawed cooperation is the harding working jackal, and the advantageous lion. As the agile jackal stalks the precious prey, devising a vicious plan to kill, the bold lion rests in grass, with no worry or responsibility. Though, after the jackal has killed the prey, the lion will pounce, taking the delicious meal and leaving the jackal with nothing. The food goes to the lion. The energy goes to the lion. The credit goes to the lion. The disappointment goes to the jackal. Alike in the novel, Sydney Carton is the jackal, as Mr. Stryver acts as the lion. Dickens brilliantly explains, “Sydney Carton would never be a lion, he was an amazingly good jackal, and that he rendered suit and service to Stryver in that humble capacity” (93). Although both men are lawyers, Carton is plenty more productive than Mr. Stryver. As Carton completes the intense cases, engaging himself deep in thought, Mr. Stryver can be found, “reclining with his hands in his waistband, looking at the fire, or occasionally flirting with some lighter document” (66). Of course, the lion gets the effortless task, while the jackal completely exerts himself,
Despite the fact that the men were “sufficiently like each other to surprise, not only the witness, but everybody present, when they were thus brought into comparison” (81), the beautiful Lucie Manette plans to marry the “aristocrat” of the twins, better known as Charles Darnay. Carton, a man born into an unfortunate life, lacking any real self confidence or positive spirit, of course, loses his dream partner to Darney, a man with great virtue and admirable honesty. Nonetheless, Carton, the hardworking lawyer, is still willing to take on Darnay’s cases. Perhaps the most significant influence, though, is Sydney Carton’s sacrifice of his own life for the prosperity of Charles’. With honorable intentions, Sydney forces Charles to switch clothes with him hours before his life ending trip to “La Guillotine”. Two men. Both innocent. One life. One Death. The French Revolution will go on without a Sydney Carton. Charles Darnay will live happily ever after with Lucie. Carton, consumed with gloomy thoughts and low self worth, truly believes that he can die, as Darnay has a better life worth living than him. As Sydney honorably approaches the guillotine, a poor seamstress notices and asks, “Are you dying for him?” (347). With less sorrow, more respect,