Sydney Carton: a man of endless contradiction. A depressed drunkard, and yet the noblest of heroes by the end of Dickens’ tale. In the first part of the book, I found my affections drawn toward both Darnay and Carton. I saw Darnay as the upright hero who is motivated by loyalty and a sense of justice, against all odds. Carton is quite the opposite of this kind of a character, and yet I sympathize with him greatly. Addiction brings him into a dark prison of the soul, and depression chains him there. Though some may denounce his apparent laziness at not rising above what he already recognizes needs to change, I completely understand his immobilization. Depression has a way of enslaving one inside his own mind, and shackling one even further when he realizes his efforts to escape are proving futile. Depression is a disease of the mind, and that in combination with the physical addiction of alcoholism presents a formidable foe to conquer.
However, by the end of the book, I was largely detached from Darnay and absolutely in love with Carton. I originally viewed Darnay’s decision to go to Paris as noble, but upon further consideration, I have come to the conclusion that he is altogether too concerned with his own personal reputation. His decision is based on the appeal to “his justice, honour, and good name,” while giving no thought to how his absence might adversely affect his own wife (257). Lucie and his child should be his first priority! I find him to be quite selfish in being so concerned with his “good name,” and hardly giving his family a passing thought.
As for Carton, I identify strongly with his authentic acknowledgement of and despair in his own depravity and pathetic-ness. Darnay never does such a thing - it’s always that same flat veneer of nobility. And at the end of the day, Carton is the one who shows love in the most authentic way - laying down his life for another. Carton embodies what it’s like to struggle with debilitating sin, and yet overcome it in the end, something I think many people can relate to. He represents the hope that someday, we will be able to conquer that impossible obstacle within ourselves. And that is why I love him. The most hopeless man brings hope to light.
