Sydney Carton
A Tale of Two Cities
All about Sydney
Sydney Carton is one of the main characters in A Tale of Two Cities. He is charming and smart, yet he hides behind the shadow of Stryver and is a raging alcoholic. Carton does this by being the brains behind all of Stryver's cases, but never revealing himself. He is depressed and regretful of his life, which he thinks is wasted. Carton has no hope left for his future, until he falls in love with Lucie. His love for Lucie boosts him higher; however he is crushed when he learns that she is marrying Charles Darnay, who shares a striking resemblance in physical appearance to Sydney. At the end of the book, Carton takes Darnay's place in death to save Lucie the grief of losing her husband, and he meets his fate at the guillotine. After he dies, Carton has a vision of the future, in which a great city emerges from the terrible times he lived through, and the Manettes live happily, and even name their son after Sydney for having made the ultimate sacrifice.
Wine
This wine represents the blood that is shed in both England and France during this time period.
Jackal
This jackal signifies Carton in that he is inferior to Stryver, who is represented by a lion.
England
England represents one of the settings of the book and the city in which Sydney lives: London.