Sydney Carton Character Analysis

Even though he is a sinner, Carton is not a malevolent person. He refuses to pursue his dream of a better life because he knows that it would bring nothing but disgrace upon Lucy, the woman whom he loves. He often visits the Manette household, always “moody and morose” while he is there (Dickens 148). He can a pleasant person when he wishes to be, but the cloud of caring for nothing, which overshadowed him with a fatal darkness, was very rarely pierced by the light within him” (Dickens 148). This quote makes it clear to the reader that Sydney does have some light inside of him, but it is hidden beneath a facade of carelessness. On one of his visits to the Manette household, Sydney confides in Lucy that it is too late for him to change his life for the better, but assures her that he would never subject her to the same distress that he himself feels. In a rare display of emotion, Carton confesses that “‘[he] shall never be better than [he is]. [He] shall sink lower, and be worse’” (Dickens 149). However, Carton refuses to taint Lucy’s life by pursuing a romantic

Lorry, Lucy, Darnay, and Ms. Pross, talk about Sydney Carton. They agree that he is “a problem of carelessness and recklessness” (Dickens 206). Sydney Carton intentionally presents himself to others in this manner. Later that night, Lucie reveals to Darnay that Sydney is not as heartless as he wishes them to believe. She explains that Carton is “weak in his misery” and does not appear to have ever known true happiness (Dickens 206). Despite all of his flaws, Sydney Carton is still capable of good. Lucie Manette remarks that, even though there is little hope that his life can be redeemed, he is still “‘capable of good things, gentle things, even magnanimous things’” (Dickens 206). Dickens uses the character of Sydney Carton to communicate that, no matter how hopeless a sinner is, he will always be capable of redeeming himself through good