Darney Carton vs Charles Darney

Corrina Hale
H. Sophomore English
Wiesinger per. 6
1/22/13

Man in the Mirror
Symmetry and the use of dopplegangers are prevalent themes in “Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens. There are no greater comparisons then the numerous intentionally made between Sydney Carton and Charles Darney. Dickens makes this clear when he compares the two men saying; "So like each other in feature, so unlike in manner, both reflected in the glass above them." (Dickens 142). The similarities between these two remarkable characters helps build symmetry throughout the book, between not only the characters but between the cities themselves.

Charles Darney is a honorable, respectable man, full of courage. Darnay can be seen as somewhat of a hero, although he does not undergo the inner struggle that Carton and Dr. Manette do. His opposition to the Marquis’s snobbish and cruel aristocratic values is however, extremely venerable, even if he is not an exceptionally dynamic character. Sydney Carton on the other hand, proves to be the most dynamic character in the entire novel. He, at first, seems lazy and is an alcoholic attorney who does not appear to take any interest in his own life. He describes his existence; "I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me." (Dickens 81). But the reader is aware, even in the first few chapters of the novel, that Carton feels something that he cannot quite express. In a conversation with the recently acquitted Darnay, Carton's remarks about Lucie. And although he is bitter, he betrays his feelings for the beautiful kind girl. Eventually, Carton reaches the stage where he can confess his feelings to Lucie herself, and he does so gently; "O Miss Manette, when the little picture of a happy father's face looks up in yours, when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!" (Dickens 150). Before Lucie marries Darney, when Carton tells her of his love for her, he still insists in seeing himself as basically worthless. However, this confession does mark a crucial transition point for Carton and lays the foundation for the amazing sacrifice that he makes at the end of the novel.

The differences between Carton and Darney are overwhelming. Carton is an attorney’s assistant who lives in Paris while Darney is a teacher who lives in London. While Carton was a disheveled, insolent, indifferent and rude man, Darney was a handsome, gentle successful, responsible human being. When Carton sees Darney he realizes what he could have done with his life. Carton realizes he is not good enough for Lucie. Though Carton is less likeable, he is witty, entertaining and has many different levels. In the end however, Darney stays a very respectable person but Carton manages to dig himself out of his dismal existence to become the hero of this novel. These differences between Charles and Sydney supported Dicken’s themes of resurrection and revolution.

The similarities and contrasts between the two men are extremely useful and imperative to the plot itself. Dickens used the symmetry to show revolution, as Carton and Darney become more alike as the story goes along. Dickens’s also uses the two similar men to develop resurrection. The symmetry symbolizes resurrection, as Carton resurrects Darney twice. The first resurrection is in the trial as Carton convinces the jury not to kill him and proves that he is innocent. This is all thanks to the fact that Darney and Carton look extremely similar and the witness could not tell the difference between the men. The second time Carton resurrects Darney is when he takes Darney's place at the execution because he realized Darney has so much to lose, and he has very little. Darney is who Sydney Carton should, could and would be if he was to focus his life and reach his full potential. Carton says, before he is executed; "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." (Dickens 374). Carton also realizes that he, Carton, can never die because he will live on forever in the hearts of the people that love him.

In “A Tale of Two Cities” symmetry plays a key role in developing the theme of the story. The theme of revolution and resurrection is furthered by the similarities and contrasts, as well as creating some exceptional characters in an outstanding novel. Dickens, by mirroring Sydney Carton and Charles Darney, successfully shows how one man sacrifices his own life so his rival, or her husband, may live to see another day with the person whom he loves.