Madame Defarge Character Analysis

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Madame Defarge proves to be one of the most well-developed and layered characters in A Tale of Two Cities. There are several different themes that are represented through the many various levels of Madame Defarge. She becomes someone that steals the spotlight from others and draws attention to her due to her well-developed complexity. This is a character fueled by determination, anger, and most importantly revenge, which are constant ideas shown throughout the book. Madame Defarge holds two important themes within her and those themes are fate and vengenece. One of many Madame Defarge 's character trait is her talent to knit. Her continuous skill is displayed numerous times throughout A Tale of Two Cities, and that specific skill represents …show more content…

Her actions cut the thin line between justice and ruthless fury. She is blinded by vengeance and breaths off of this belief that she owes her family righteousness. This belief causes Madame Defarge to do immoral actions on those who have crossed her, “It was nothing to her, that an innocent man was to die for the sins of his forefathers; she saw, not him, but them. It was nothing to her, that his wife was to be made a widow and his daughter an orphan; that was insufficient punishment, because they were her natural enemies and her prey, and as such had no right to live. (Dickens 372). She is the embodiment of vengeance punishes those who do wrong to her, specifically Charles Darney 's family who had hurt hers. Her entire drive is to destroy the Evremonde. Vengeance consumes Madame Defarge and ultimately leads her to her death. Her ability to think rationally and morally are tossed out the window because of how controlled she is by one motive. Vengeance is the fuel that she thrives off of and eventually vengeance becomes the end of her. Madame Defarge holds fate in her left hand and vengeance in her right. These themes are what drives Madame Defarge throughout A Tale of Two Cities. She becomes a fearsome foe and proves to be a brilliant complex character. She will forever be known as the omen of fate and