Pages 101 & 102

Essay: A Tale of Two Cities

Whether it is the best of times or it is the worst of times, I find it difficult to see how someone could save a man’s life, twice, and consider his life to be worthless. The novel, A Tale of Two Cities, depicts Sydney Carton as someone who is not content with his life and feels he has wasted it. However, I believe Mr. Carton’s role in the novel was by far the most useful, because all of the important things he did, were done for others. The first notable thing Mr. Carton did was win a case in defence of Charles Darnay, for Mr. Stryver. Another thing Carton did for someone else was to remain friends with Darnay, Stryver and Lucie after all three men tried to win over Lucie’s affection. His final act of helping, which saved Darnay’s life and made Lucie Manette happy, was to replace himself with Charles Darnay and ultimately sacrifice himself. The novel, A Tale of Two Cities, depicts Sydney Carton as a man who believes his life has been wasted. With these paragraphs, I motion to prove otherwise.

Carton’s first act of selflessness was to aid Mr. Stryver in his defence of Mr. Darnay. When Sydney Carton proved that Charles Darnay was innocent of treason against the king of England he rescued Darnay from the exceptionally harsh punishment of being beheaded by a guillotine. This being the first time Carton helped Darnay, and already, I believe Darnay owes Carton more than anyone is able to repay. Another remarkable thing about what Carton did in court that day is that his friend and colleague, Mr. Stryver, would receive the credit and the majority of the pay for getting Darnay acquitted. Although Stryver would admit to Carton that he knew Carton had won the case, it would seem fitting that he let everyone else know as well. However, his role in this trial was primarily selfless because he received nothing substantial out of his freeing Charles Darnay. As far as Albert Einstein is concerned, “The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.” I believe if we asked Einstein himself, he would say that Carton’s life was the most valuable out of every character in the novel. Only a few short chapters after we find out who Sydney Carton is, he has done much in the aid of others. Thus, making it difficult for me to view his life the way he does. Also, he would not stop there.

A second thing that Carton did to be unselfish was to keep his cool after he found out that Stryver and Darnay both wanted the same girl he did, and also after Miss Manette picked Charles Darnay. Even though this act was unselfish because it kept everyone involved content, it was also good for Carton. The obvious reason that it was good for him would be that he kept his friends and people still liked him. However, I think it helped him more in the way that he could’ve just as easily gotten depressed, or worse yet, infuriated, the fact that he did not choose these emotions speaks greatly about his character and probably kept him sane, although, his sanity may be argued. Secondly, his actions meant that he could continue working for Stryver, which meant he could keep making money. With his intelligence he should have had a much better career. This may seem to help Carton but really I believe Stryver, who took the credit for their work, received a lot more out of this partnership than Carton; especially when you take into consideration that at the end of the novel you realize that Carton did not need any money. A final reason why this action was considerate was because even after Lucie Manette chose to marry Charles Darnay, Carton did not grow angry or try to break Manette and Darnay up, in fact, he asked if he could still be their friend and would do things to help preserve their marriage. If I haven’t already proven to you that Sydney Carton’s life is extremely purposeful, then his final act in the novel should prove me right without a paragraph to describe how.

In his greatest feat of compassion Carton would save Darnay’s life, again. The most obvious reason that this was in aid of others would be that he gave up literally everything and saved Darnay’s life. Even though this is painfully obvious, I must make reference to it because, as you know, Darnay already owes Carton more than he can repay him. I realize it is difficult to pay back a dead man, so the least he could do is realize how important Sydney Carton was; as should you. The biggest reason why Carton did this, in my mind, was to make Lucie Manette happy. She will certainly be sad that Carton is dead, however, Carton’s ability to realize that Darnay meant much more to her and she would be happier with Darnay alive rather than him, is part of what makes Sydney Carton such an accomplished human being. At this point you are convinced that Sydney Carton did many things in the aid of others, but if you are not convinced that that makes him a great person than the volume of this final action should. Meaning that this action would not be carried out by very many people and saying that his life was useless at this point would be like saying that Ludwig Van Beethoven didn’t know how to play the piano. I have said what needed to be said and in case you forgot anything, I wrote a conclusion.

Sydney Carton was a great man who led a worthwhile life and if more people acted the way he did the world would be a better place. When we meet Carton he is already helping people in the case against Charles Darnay. As well, Carton remained composed when Lucie did not choose him, which would allow everyone to remain friends. Lastly, in the greatest act of selflessness known to man, Carton gave his own life to save another. Yes, I realize that Charles Dickens invented this character, and yes, I am telling you that he was wrong about his own character. Sydney Carton should not have thought his life was useless or wasted in any way, rather he should have felt some self satisfaction in helping others and he should have died a proud and happy man. To finish I’ll let Einstein tell you one last time why Sydney Carton was a great man. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein.

By: CAZ