This is a place for us to discuss openly and honestly the literature we are reading. Here we are all just communicating our thoughts on what we are reading. There are no right and wrong answers. However, you are expected to be polite, mature, and on topic.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Duality
Who is Sydney Carton really? What are three words that describe his personality? How and why does he change within the course of the novel?(This post closes at midnight on Monday, December 14, 2009)
Sydney Carton is my favorite character in Charles Dickens's novel A TALE OF TWO CITIES. He is a completely complex character. His true intentions and motivations are not visible on the surface; he generally hides the way he truly feels. When he does open himself up, however, his vulnerability is absolutely endearing. Three words that describe his personality are self-deprecating, interesting, and brilliant. Carton does not see himself as having much worth. He does not value his life above anyone else's even though he is arguably more valuable, at least in court, than Stryver. Carton's complex emotions make him very interesting. The facts that he does not value his life but still professes his love for Lucie are contrasting aspects of his character. He does not love himself, but he deeply loves Lucie, and this contrast is interesting. Finally, Carton is brilliant. Not only is he intellectually gifted in his occupation, Carton is also extremely logical. Even in his love for Lucie, he knows that he is not meant to be with her. He does know, however, that he would sacrifice everything to make her happy. This undying sense of loyalty towards the one he loves is what changes Carton throughout the novel. He is brought out of his perceived self-worthlessness by his intense love for Lucie.
Sydney Carton is a man of great potential. He is a clever, aloof, and self-sacrificing character. When he is first introduced in A Tale of Two Cities, he wanders, usually drunk, through his life and lets others take credit for his intelligence. Later, upon seeing Charles Darnay’s successes and the love within the Manette family (particularly Miss Lucie), he is inspired to change. Carton rises to the occasion in Book the Third when Lucie Manette and her family are endangered by the French Revolution. He becomes the confident man with a plan who saves the day for those he cares about. Carton, I think, is the true hero of A Tale of Two Cities.
Though Sydney Carton originally appears to be a worthless, moody, morose personality in Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, he ultimately proves to be a dynamic character of undying love, honor, and bravery. Early in the novel, Carton’s true characteristics and inner emotions are completely masked by an alcoholic dependency, which disables his ability to find self-worth and purpose. His self-loathing only intensifies as he compares himself to Charles Darnay, a very successful man who looks extremely similar to Carton. Thus, Carton, after a long period of trying to hide his emotions, merely professes his love for Lucie Manette rather than competing with Darnay in the pursuit of her affection. Because Lucie later receives Carton’s confession with such acceptance and compassion that is unprecedented for him, he begins to feel the effects of his transformation, which is primarily catalyzed by his newfound devotion for Lucie and her family. Through the transformative powers of love that finally give Carton a purpose, he overcomes his alcoholic tendencies to reunite Lucie’s family when the revolutionary French Republic tries to kill Darnay for being a member in a notorious family of nobility. Thus, Carton exemplifies the characteristics of honor and bravery as he willingly sacrifices his own life to save Darnay and protect Lucie even though Darnay never really understood nor appreciated Carton. Because he changes from a selfish man of no aspirations into a man of veritable honor and bravery created by his love for Lucie and characterized by his sacrifice to save her and her family, Sydney Carton is undeniably among the most inspiring characters of any literary work of merit.
In the novel A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens, Sydney Carton proves to be an extremely dynamic character. Through the first two books Carton is almost masochistic in his disdain for himself, but he shows his vulnerable side when he professes his love for Lucie in Book the Second. However, by Book the Third, Sydney Carton is a man who has great purpose in life. It is almost ironic that he is a lowly pathetic man while Charles Darnay lives in happiness, but he becomes a powerful man when Darnay is weak. This change in his character shows the parallelism between he and Darnay. Three words that best describe Sydney Carton are intriguing, self-sacrificing, and clever. He presents so many aspects of himself throughout the novel in various ways that make him mysterious and intriguing, and he is willing to do anything for Lucie. He is also always there to aide in conflict with his clever methods that have made him the "jackal."
Sydney Carton is one of the most interesting of all the characters in Charles Dickens's novel A Tale of Two Cities. Sydney Carton is a more secluded character. He tends to hide his feelings and he allows others to basically control his life; however, when he does begin to come out of his shell, he portrays his intellectuality and leadership skills. Three words that could describe Sydney Carton are melancholy, misunderstood, and intellectual. Throughout the novel Carton gains selfconfidence and selfworth. He began this change due to his love for Lucie Mannette.
5 comments:
Sydney Carton is my favorite character in Charles Dickens's novel A TALE OF TWO CITIES. He is a completely complex character. His true intentions and motivations are not visible on the surface; he generally hides the way he truly feels. When he does open himself up, however, his vulnerability is absolutely endearing. Three words that describe his personality are self-deprecating, interesting, and brilliant. Carton does not see himself as having much worth. He does not value his life above anyone else's even though he is arguably more valuable, at least in court, than Stryver. Carton's complex emotions make him very interesting. The facts that he does not value his life but still professes his love for Lucie are contrasting aspects of his character. He does not love himself, but he deeply loves Lucie, and this contrast is interesting. Finally, Carton is brilliant. Not only is he intellectually gifted in his occupation, Carton is also extremely logical. Even in his love for Lucie, he knows that he is not meant to be with her. He does know, however, that he would sacrifice everything to make her happy. This undying sense of loyalty towards the one he loves is what changes Carton throughout the novel. He is brought out of his perceived self-worthlessness by his intense love for Lucie.
-LSt. 0
Sydney Carton is a man of great potential. He is a clever, aloof, and self-sacrificing character. When he is first introduced in A Tale of Two Cities, he wanders, usually drunk, through his life and lets others take credit for his intelligence. Later, upon seeing Charles Darnay’s successes and the love within the Manette family (particularly Miss Lucie), he is inspired to change. Carton rises to the occasion in Book the Third when Lucie Manette and her family are endangered by the French Revolution. He becomes the confident man with a plan who saves the day for those he cares about. Carton, I think, is the true hero of A Tale of Two Cities.
JJ-0
Though Sydney Carton originally appears to be a worthless, moody, morose personality in Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, he ultimately proves to be a dynamic character of undying love, honor, and bravery. Early in the novel, Carton’s true characteristics and inner emotions are completely masked by an alcoholic dependency, which disables his ability to find self-worth and purpose. His self-loathing only intensifies as he compares himself to Charles Darnay, a very successful man who looks extremely similar to Carton. Thus, Carton, after a long period of trying to hide his emotions, merely professes his love for Lucie Manette rather than competing with Darnay in the pursuit of her affection. Because Lucie later receives Carton’s confession with such acceptance and compassion that is unprecedented for him, he begins to feel the effects of his transformation, which is primarily catalyzed by his newfound devotion for Lucie and her family. Through the transformative powers of love that finally give Carton a purpose, he overcomes his alcoholic tendencies to reunite Lucie’s family when the revolutionary French Republic tries to kill Darnay for being a member in a notorious family of nobility. Thus, Carton exemplifies the characteristics of honor and bravery as he willingly sacrifices his own life to save Darnay and protect Lucie even though Darnay never really understood nor appreciated Carton. Because he changes from a selfish man of no aspirations into a man of veritable honor and bravery created by his love for Lucie and characterized by his sacrifice to save her and her family, Sydney Carton is undeniably among the most inspiring characters of any literary work of merit.
BS-0
In the novel A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens, Sydney Carton proves to be an extremely dynamic character. Through the first two books Carton is almost masochistic in his disdain for himself, but he shows his vulnerable side when he professes his love for Lucie in Book the Second. However, by Book the Third, Sydney Carton is a man who has great purpose in life. It is almost ironic that he is a lowly pathetic man while Charles Darnay lives in happiness, but he becomes a powerful man when Darnay is weak. This change in his character shows the parallelism between he and Darnay. Three words that best describe Sydney Carton are intriguing, self-sacrificing, and clever. He presents so many aspects of himself throughout the novel in various ways that make him mysterious and intriguing, and he is willing to do anything for Lucie. He is also always there to aide in conflict with his clever methods that have made him the "jackal."
BK-0
Sydney Carton is one of the most interesting of all the characters in Charles Dickens's novel A Tale of Two Cities. Sydney Carton is a more secluded character. He tends to hide his feelings and he allows others to basically control his life; however, when he does begin to come out of his shell, he portrays his intellectuality and leadership skills. Three words that could describe Sydney Carton are melancholy, misunderstood, and intellectual. Throughout the novel Carton gains selfconfidence and selfworth. He began this change due to his love for Lucie Mannette.
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