Sydney Carton Character Analysis in A Tale of Two Cities

In his youth, Sydney Carton wasted his great potential and mysteriously lost a woman he loved. Now he's a drunk and a lawyer who takes no credit for his work. Carton has no hope for his life. Only Lucie understands his potential for goodness. In his selfless dedication to her and her family, Carton represents the transformative power of love. His self-sacrifice at the end of the novel makes him a Christ figure. By saving Lucie's family, Carton redeems himself from sin and lives on in their grateful memory.

Sydney Carton Quotes in A Tale of Two Cities

The A Tale of Two Cities quotes below are all either spoken by Sydney Carton or refer to Sydney Carton. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Waste forces within him, and a desert all around, this man stood still on his way across a silent terrace, and saw for a moment, lying in the wilderness before him, a mirage of honourable ambition, self-denial, and perseverance. In the fair city of this vision, there were airy galleries from which the loves and graces looked upon him, gardens in which the fruits of life hung ripening, waters of Hope that sparkled in his sight. A moment, and it was gone. Climbing to a high chamber in a well of houses, he threw himself down in his clothes on a neglected bed, and its pillow was wet with wasted tears.

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Page Number and Citation: 95

Explanation and Analysis:

For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything. If my career were of that better kind that there was any opportunity or capacity of sacrifice in it, I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you. Try to hold me in your mind, at some quiet times, as ardent and sincere in this one thing. The time will come, the time will not be long in coming, when new ties will be formed about you […] O Miss Manette, […] when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think now and then that there is a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 159

Explanation and Analysis:

Miss Pross recalled soon afterwards, and to the end of her life remembered, that as she pressed her hands on Sydney's arm and looked up in his face, imploring him to do no hurt to Solomon, there was a braced purpose in the arm and a kind of inspiration in the eyes, which not only contradicted his light manner, but changed and raised the man.

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Page Number and Citation: 310

Explanation and Analysis:

"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die."

Related Characters: (speaker)

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Page Number and Citation: 389

Explanation and Analysis:

Sydney Carton Character Timeline in A Tale of Two Cities

The timeline below shows where the character Sydney Carton appears in A Tale of Two Cities. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...French spy, is defended by two lawyers: Mr. Stryver and the insolent and bored-looking Mr. Carton. When Darnay glances at a young woman and her father sitting nearby (Lucie and Dr.... (full context)

...while Mr. Stryver is unsuccessfully cross-examining a witness who has been called to identify Charles, Carton hands Stryver a note. After reading from the note, Stryver forces the court to notice... (full context)

The jury goes to deliberate. Carton continues to look bored, stirring only to order help when he notices Lucie start to... (full context)

A drunk Sydney Carton emerges from the shadows. His shabby clothes and impertinent manners offend Mr. Lorry, who departs.... (full context)

...to climb the professional ladder. Due to his problem distilling information, he partnered with Sydney Carton, who now secretly does all the work for Stryver to win his cases. If Stryver... (full context)

After leaving the tavern where he dined with Charles, Carton joins Stryver in his apartment. To stay awake, he wraps a wet towel around his... (full context)

Afterwards, Stryver and Carton drink and talk. Stryver comments on Carton's moodiness and lack of direction, which have been... (full context)

After leaving Stryver, Carton stumbles home through the grey dawn, imagining for a moment a city of hope, full... (full context)

Sydney Carton also visits. Sitting out on the veranda as a storm approaches, Lucie tells him that... (full context)

...Manettes' home and bind Lucie closer to her father. Dr. Manette suspects that Stryver and Carton are also interested in Lucie, but promises to vouch for Charles's love for Lucie should... (full context)

That same night, as Sydney Carton plows through heaps of legal papers, Mr. Stryver announces that he intends to get married.... (full context)

Because Carton had previously (though insincerely) insulted Lucie, Stryver breaks the news to him carefully: he plans... (full context)

Although his awkward social skills obscure it, Sydney Carton loves to visit the Manette house. After Mr. Stryver informs him that he's given up... (full context)

Lucie is astonished when Carton breaks into tears over his wasted life during the visit. She asks if she can... (full context)

Carton tells Lucie he loves her, that she is "the last dream of [his] soul." But... (full context)

...first person to visit Lucie and Charles after they return from their honeymoon is Sydney Carton. Carton apologizes for his drunkenness during past encounters, and asks for Charles' friendship. Carton declares... (full context)

At dinner that night, Charles comments to Lucie, Manette, Mr. Lorry, and Miss Pross about Carton's careless and reckless behavior. Later that night in their room, Lucie suggests that Charles was... (full context)

...from the street below. She gives birth to a daughter, Lucie, who particularly likes Sydney Carton. Her second child, a son, dies in childhood. (full context)

Sydney Carton, appearing out of nowhere, tells Jerry the name he is trying to remember: John Barsad.... (full context)

Carton and Jerry escort John Barsad to Tellson's Bank, where Mr. Lorry also recognizes him. Carton... (full context)

...that Cly's body wasn't in his coffin. Barsad realizes he's caught and agrees to help. Carton takes him into an adjoining room to talk. (full context)

After a while, Barsad leaves and Carton explains to Mr. Lorry that if Charles is convicted, Barsad will smuggle Carton into Charles's... (full context)

Carton visits a pharmacy and buys a mysterious packet of drugs that the chemist warns are... (full context)

...a young girl, whom he helps across the street. She kisses him, and once more Carton remembers the prayer. (full context)

Carton arrives at the courthouse the next morning for Charles's trial, where Jacques Three is the... (full context)

Lucie faints. Carton carries her to a carriage and escorts her home. There, he instructs Dr. Manette to... (full context)

Lucie's daughter begs Carton to help. Carton embraces her and, before he leaves, kisses the unconscious Lucie and whispers,... (full context)

Sydney Carton decides to make sure he is seen around Paris. He eventually wanders into a wine... (full context)

Carton eavesdrops on a conversation between Defarge, Madame Defarge, The Vengeance, and Jacques Three, in which... (full context)

Carton hurries home. Soon, Dr. Manette returns too, begging for his shoemaker's bench. Shocked, Carton and... (full context)

...to Dr. Manette. He also writes to Mr. Lorry, but never thinks to write to Carton. (full context)

Suddenly John Barsad opens the cell door and lets in Carton. Carton tells Charles to start changing clothes with him. Then Carton dictates a letter for... (full context)

As Charles writes, Carton waves the packet of drugs under his nose. Charles passes out. Carton finishes swapping their... (full context)

Soon the guards arrive and take Carton, whom they think is Charles Evrémonde, out to join the other condemned prisoners. A young... (full context)

...the papers of the passengers in a carriage: Mr. Lorry, Dr. Manette, Lucie, and "Sydney Carton," who is unconscious. They wave the carriage through. (full context)

The young woman is scheduled to be beheaded by the guillotine just before Carton. She thanks Carton for helping her stay composed, and says he must have been sent... (full context)

The narrator describes Carton's final thoughts. He recognizes that Barsad, The Vengeance, and all the "new oppressors" will die... (full context)

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Sydney Carton Character Analysis

Sydney Carton Quotes in A Tale of Two Cities

Sydney Carton Character Timeline in A Tale of Two Cities

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