In “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens, the character Sydney Carton possesses an complex character, making him an interesting topic to compare other works to. Marching bands of Manhattan by Death Cab for Cutie involves bringing someone out of a dark or depressive state, and showing them all the world has to offer. Lyrics in this song can directly relate to Sydney Carton's persona in numerous ways involving his feelings and purpose. Throughout the tale, Sydney Carton’s personality becomes comprehensible with the words and actions performed. Although he expresses conspicuous intelligence in working with Stryver, he neglects the possibility of having great purpose in life through alcohol and apathy. The only passion shown in Carton’s lukewarm disposition is his love for Lucie, who he unfortunately cannot be with. Despite the barrier between them, Carton would sacrifice anything for Lucie, even his life.
The mellow song opens with the lyrics, “If I could open my arms and span the length of the Isle of Manhattan, I'd bring it to where you are”. Although the city of Manhattan does not directly relate, these lyrics demonstrate how Sydney Carton would do anything for Lucie and
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Within “A Tale of Two Cities”, Carton affirms that he “[is] like one who died young” and his life could have been much more significant than he permits it to be (Dickens 150). In Death Cab for Cutie’s song, the chorus sings “Sorrow drips into your heart through a pinhole just like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound”. The lyrics personify “sorrow”, and it filling someone's heart with despair, and then finding comfort in this feeling. Rather than making his life full of joy, it seems that Carton choses a wasted life full of self-loathing when he has the potential to achieve eminence. It seems easier for carton to dwell on his sorrows than to act upon them, and he finds comfort in living this