Madame Defarge Vs Sydney Carton Character Analysis

Madame Defarge vs. Sydney Carton

“‘Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop,’ returned Madame; ‘but don't tell me’” (Dickens 606). In A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, the French Revolution is in full effect. Madame Defarge is a wine shop keeper by day and a murderer by night, and Sydney Carton is a pessimistic lawyer with a massive heart. Obsession consumes both Madame Defarge’s and Sydney Carton’s lives. Although they are both obsessive, Madame Defarge is more consumed with an obsession than Sydney Carton is. Madame Defarge is obsessed with revenge due to what has happened to her family. Madame Defarge says, “‘Defarge, that sister of the mortally wounded boy upon the ground was my sister, that husband was my sister's husband, that unborn child was their child, that brother was my brother, that father was my father, those dead are my dead, and that summons to answer for those things descends to me!” Ask him, is that so.’” (Dickens 605). This shows that she has an
Carton tells Lucie, “‘For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything.’” (Dickens 268). This shows that Carton is willing to do anything to keep Lucie happy. This also shows how much Carton loves her, because he would do anything. Carton asks Lucie to remember him as, “a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you” (Dickens 261). This shows that Carton actually would do anything for Lucie. This also shows that he would die for her. Carton also says, "you have been the last dream of my soul …let me carry through the rest of my misdirected life, the remembrance that I opened my heart to you...and that there was something left in me at this time which you could deplore and pity" (Dickens 265). This shows that Lucie inspires him and drives him to improve his life. This also shows that Lucie was the only person that could make his life better. Although Sydney Carton is obsessed with Lucie, he is not as obsessed as Madame