Madame Defarge's Lesson: The Fates In Greek Mythology

Death is one thing that has permeated through the ages and will until the end of time. The Fates in Greek Mythology are three sisters usually depicted as old women who spin the thread of life and determine deaths. Their names were Clotho, the one who spins the thread of life; Lachesis, who draws the lots and determines how long one lives by measuring the thread of life; and Atropos, who chose how someone dies by cutting the thread of life with her shears. The power of deciding fate is granted to only a few, those who have this power are generally more collected and seemingly cold to the world around them. The Fates spend their time playing the crucial role to the balance of reality by knitting and determining who lives and for how long. Similarly,

Madame shows that firmly believes that the events of the Revolution will unfold in her lifetime when she says, “Nothing that we do, is done in vain. I believe with all my soul, that we shall see the triumph” (209; bk. 2, ch.16). Madame’s strong faith in the cause she is fighting for and her belief in her own efforts give her the confidence to be sure that the Revolution will come in her lifetime, just as the Fates are sure that their prophecies will come true. Madame Defarge echoes the Fates’ trust in their own abilities; she waits with patience but is also very passionate about what she does: “When the time comes, let loose a tiger and a devil; but wait for the time with the tiger and the devil chained-not shown- yet always ready” (209; bk. 2, ch. 16). Madame is always ready even though she doesn't show it. Madame Defarge has a level of composure unseen by other characters; like the Fates, she is no-nonsense but also very

Madame determines who should die just like the Fates: “For other crimes as tyrants and oppressors, I have this race a long time on my register, doomed to destruction and extermination” (402; bk. 3, ch. 12). Madame’s register is similar to the yarn used by the Fates in mythology; one’s name being placed on the register is equivalent to their string being cut because at that point one is doomed to die. Madame’s position as wife of Defarge and leader in the revolution gives her the power to determine these deaths, as seen in her attempted condemnation of Little Lucie: “‘Is that his child?’ said Madame Defarge, stopping in her work for the first time and pointing her knitting-needle at little Lucie like it were the ringer of Fate” (316; bk. 3, ch.3). Madame’s place as the wife of Defarge and one of the leaders of the attack on the Bastille gives her authority over many people; her authority gives her power, which is seen in her knitting needles that lead to death in a manner similar to the Fates’ cutting yarn leading to