Character Profiles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joon Park

Period 3

May 23, 2003

Character Profile: Sydney Carton

 

 

Physical Description:

Sydney Carton’s physical attributes show a great resemblance to Charles Darnay. Carton’s facial expressions hint that he is an alcoholic.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Sydney Carton’s physical attributes are contrary to his personality. Although Carton appears to be somewhat furious and offensive, he actually has a very polite and kind personality, especially shown to Lucie Manette as he confesses his love to her.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Sydney Carton is a disrespectful, uncaring, and an alcoholic attorney that has no ambitions in life. Although Carton starts as an indifferent person, after his encounter with Lucie Manette, his feelings for her transforms him from an uncaring person to a compassionate person. Carton behaves in such a way that makes him appear to be very unapproachable and behaves as if he has no interests in his life.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

Sydney Carton is referred as the “jackal”. He is considered a jackal due to the fact that he does not carry out all of the important tasks, but instead commits himself to menial tasks for Stryver.

 

“Mysterious” of “Magical” Traits:

Sydney Carton shows the ability to quickly determine the physical attributes of things and easily manipulates it to use it as a device to help himself.

 

Connections/ Relationships to Other Characters:

Sydney Carton is an attorney working mainly for Stryver. His work saves Charles Darnay’s life and after that incident, he falls in love with Lucie Manette.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Sydney Carton’s main role in the story is helping Lucie Manette and Charles Darnay. His love for Lucie Manette leads him to want to do anything for her. Another job would be to help Stryver with his court cases, since he is more capable of finding a way to win the case.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her

“The utmost good that I am capable of now, Miss Manette, I have come here to realize. Let me carry through the rest of my misdirected life, the remembrance that I opened my heart to you, last of all the world; and that there was something left in me at this time which you could deplore and pity.” (139)

“…For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything…I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you.” (140)

 

 

Character Profile: Lucie Manette-Darnay

 

 

Physical Description:

Lucie Manette is a young lady of little more than twenty with blond hair, referred as the “golden thread”.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Like her physical attributes, her personality is very delicate and frail. Her physical description matches her personality very well, since she appears to be very delicate, and also has a very delicate mental status, making her very fragile and unprotected from stresses and shock.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Lucie Manette has a very frail personality trait that causes her to faint as she is exposed to shock or stress. She also feels sympathy for people and behaves as if she cares for everyone around her. She especially cares for her father, Dr. Manette, and Charles Darnay.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic Reference:

Lucie Manette is referred as the “golden thread”, due to her hair and its resemblance to her mother’s hair. Lucie is also referred as the “golden-haired doll” by Sydney Carton and Stryver because of the fact that they find her to be perfect and pretty that they call her a doll. In addition, Lucie has a symbolic reference of allowing Dr. Manette to regain consciousness and to remember about his family.

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

Lucie somehow has the ability to stun every man around her into falling in love with her. In addition, she also has the ability to have Dr. Manette remember about his family.

 

Connections/ Relationships to Other Characters:

Lucie Manette is the daughter of Dr. Manette. She falls in love with Charles Darnay, whom she eventually marries. Miss Pross is her servant and companion and Sydney Carton and Stryver fall in love with her.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Lucie Manette has the role of supplying a source of strength to all around her. She is the person to help everyone regain their confidence.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“Don’t say that, Miss Manette, for you would have reclaimed me, if anything could. You will not be the cause of my becoming worse.” (139)

“I may not repay him by doing him harm to-day.” (64)

 

 

Character Profile: Charles Darnay

 

 

Physical Description:

Charles Darnay is a “young man of about five-and-twenty, well-grown and well-looking, with a sunburnt cheek and a dark eye.” His physical appearance classifies him as a gentleman of a high class.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Charles Darnay’s physical appearances are corresponding to his personality because his appearance of being a gentleman corresponds to his personality of being very kind and caring, especially to Lucie Manette.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Charles Darnay truly exhibits great mannerism the first time he meets Lucie Manette by lending a had to take care of Dr. Manette. Charles Darnay behaves with a distinct likeability through his actions and reveals very kind and compassionate personality traits.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

Charles Darnay symbolizes the working group that are for the French Revolution because he relinquishes his status of being in the second estate in order to earn a living by himself, without the help of his social status.

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

Charles Darnay somehow shows the ability to acquire sympathies from others even at times where it seems as if it is impossible for him to have anyone that does not oppose him.

 

Connections/ Relationships to Other Characters:

Charles Darnay falls in love with Lucie Manette, whom he eventually marries. His life gets saved by Sydney Carton and Stryver in the trial. He is known to be an enemy of the Defarges for the fact that he is actually one of the St. Evremondes.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Chales Darnay helps with the French Revolution and helps carry it out. He is also responsible for taking care of Lucie Manette and Dr. Manette.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“To the eye it is fair enough, here; but seen in its integrity, under the sky, and by the daylight, it is a crumbling tower of waste, mismanagement, extortion, debt, mortgage, oppression, hunger, nakedness, and suffering.” (114)

“I must do, to live, what others of my countrymen, even with nobility at their backs, may have to do some day-work.” (114)

 

 

 

Character Profile: Dr. Alexandre Manette

 

 

Physical Description:

Dr. Alexandre Manette is “a man of very remarkable appearance in respect of the absolute whiteness of his hair, and a certain indescribable intensity of face: not of an active kind, but pondering and self communing.” (57)

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Dr. Manette’s appearance shows a direct connection to his personality. His age and his weariness cause him to have a very sharp personality. His personality becomes very sensitive as he is exposed to things that might stress of shock him.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Dr. Alexandre Manette behaves much like a father wanting best for his daughter. All he does is for the benefit of his daughter. He behaves very closely with everyone he comes in contact with and shows a very considerate personality.

 

Nickname/ Symbolic Reference:

Dr. Alexandre Manette is referred as being “resurrected” or “recalled to life”. This is because he was dug out after many years of being trapped in the prison.

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

Dr. Alexandre Manette has the characteristic of going back into a relapse and making shoes whenever he is reminded of his past.

 

Connections/ Relationships to other Characters:

Dr. Manette is Lucie Manette’s father, Mr. Jarvis Lorry’s master, Ernest Defarge’s master, and is somehow related to Charles Darnay in the past.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presense in Events:

Dr. Manette is mainly there for the protection of Lucie Manette and looking out for Lucie’s best interests. He also shows the previous events before the French Revolution.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“Almost eighteen years…long ago…they tell me so…I can’t say.”

“She had become familiar to me, when a gracious God restored my faculties; but I am quite unable even to say how she had become familiar.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Character Profile: Mr. Jarvis Lorry

 

 

 

Physical Description:

Mr. Lorry had a quite face with a wig with bright eyes. He had healthy color in his cheeks and his face. He had good legs also.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Mr. Jarvis Lorry’s personality seems to mimic his physical attributes. As his physical appearance suggests, Mr. Lorry acts as a gentleman with a high class.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Mr. Jarvis Lorry is behaves very professionally. He is very formal at things he does. He acts with a strong moral sense and a good, honest heart. He proves himself to be very loyal and trustworthy, especially among the Manettes. He does not show his kind heart out right away, but it is very possible to sense his honesty without him revealing his kind heart.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

Mr. Lorry is seen as a road between Paris and London for the Manettes.

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

Mr. Jarvis Lorry has the trait that makes everyone he meets a friend of him. He rarely encounters someone that he cannot cope with.

 

Connections/ Relationships to Other Characters:

Mr. Lorry is deeply related with Dr. Manette. Mr. Lorry has served Dr. Manette previously and now has returned to serve him again. Mr. Lorry becomes familiar with Lucie Manette because he brings them together.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events

Mr. Lorry’s main job is to secure travel between Paris and London for the Manettes. He also acts like a godparent for Lucie, along with Miss Pross. Mr. Lorry helps to look after the Manettes.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“I would recommend him to sacrifice it. I only want your authority. I am sure it does no good. Come! Give me your authority, like a dear good man. For his daughter’s sake, my dear Manette!”

“And I have no doubt that I was right in the conversation we had. My opinion is confirmed, and I reiterate my advice.”

 

 

 

 

Character Profile: Madame Defarge

 

 

Physical Description:

Madame Defarge is a stout woman about the age of M. Defarge. She had a watchful eye, a steady face, strong features, and a large hand heavily ringed. She appeared to being sensitive to cold, and always knitting something.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

As her physical attributes suggest, Madame Defarge is somewhat shady and suspicious. She is very obsessed with extreme revenge as she watches everything with her eyes.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Madame Defarge is always seen to be knitting something. She does not reveal much about what she does and remains shady. Mme. Defarge behaves as if she has something to hide or cannot be revealed, therefore provoking suspicion to herself, though not much can be found out from the suspicion.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

Madame Defarge is the brains behind plotting revenge on the French aristocrats. She is known to knit names that she feels should be killed.

 

Connections/ Relationships to Other Characters:

Mme. Defarge is married to M. Defarge. Mme. Defarge does not have a close relationship with any other characters but displays a strong hatred towards Charles Darnay because of his roots.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Mainly responsible for plotting revenge against the first and second estate people, she helps to further carry on the French Revolution, as well as the plot by creating a somewhat suspense.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“Madame Defarge knitted steadily, but the intelligence had a palpable effect upon her husband.”

“A great woman, a strong woman, a grand woman, a frightfully grand woman!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Character Profile: Ernest Defarge

 

 

Physical description:

Ernest Defarge is a “bull-necked, martial-looking man of thirty”. He wore no coat, brown arms bare to the elbows, did not ware anything more on his head, good eyes, bold breadth. He was implacable-looking, appeared to have a strong resolution and purpose.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

M. Defarge’s appearance of bold and strong purpose carries into his personality. M. Defarge proves himself to be cruel and merciless as he carries on his plans for the revolution. His personality mimics his appearance by showing that he is capable of doing things that he looks as if he is.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerism:

He is very cruel and merciless as he plans for the revolution. He is obsessed with the revolution and shows his cruelty as he arranges for death of French aristocrats. M. Defarge seems to be shady like his wife and carries many secrets.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

He is referred as one of the “Jacques” being that he had created a group of revolutionaries and named them after himself.

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

M. Defarge is able to have someone killed by just mentioning that he wants them killed, by having his wife put their name in the register.

 

Connections/ Relationships to Other Characters:

M. Defarge is husband of Mme. Defarge. M. Defarge was previously a servant of Dr. Manette and therefore knows him. M. Defarge is not really known to Lucie Manette or Mr. Jarvis Lorry.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Ernest Defarge’s key role is to carry out the revolution. Since his former days of serving Dr. Manette are over, his job is to devote his time to carry out the revolution and to make sure that everything goes as planned.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

Enough, long live the Devil! Go on.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Character Profile: Jerry Cruncher

 

 

Physical Description:

Jerry Cruncher is raggedly bald with stiff, black hair, and growing downwards almost to his broad, blunt nose. He was red-eyed and grim also.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Jerry Cruncher’s red-eyes show connections to his short-temperedness. His other facial structures hint at his cruelty and mercilessness.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Jerry Cruncher is gruff, short-tempered, superstitious, and uneducated. He randomly beats his wife because she is constantly praying about something and Cruncher does not like it. He also seems to be hiding some things.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

Jerry Cruncher is referred to as the “resurrection man” or the “honest tradesman” because of his second job of grave robbing.

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

Jerry Cruncher is able to keep his second job a secret.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Jerry Cruncher does not have a key role in the novel but can be seen as a comic relief.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“At first, he slept heavily, but, by degrees, began to roll and surge in bed, until he rose above the surface, with his spiky hair looking as if it must tear the sheets to ribbons. At which juncture, he exclaimed, in a voice of dire exasperation…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Character Profile: Miss Pross

 

 

Physical Description:

Miss Pross has wild red hair with a bonnet over it. Se likes touching it up with ends of a handkerchief.

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Her physical descriptions show that she cares much about everything so therefore, she is very caring for Lucie Manette.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Miss Pross is very caring and shows extreme loyalty. She has devotion for her work, protecting Lucie Manette. She shows great order and loyalty for her work.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

Miss Pross is able to help Lucie Manette in everything. When Lucie is in shock, Miss Pross helps her out of it. Miss Pross is always there for Lucie.

 

Connections/ Relationships to other Characters:

Miss Pross is a servant and companion of Lucie Manette. Miss Pross does not have any further connections or relationships to other characters, but she gets to know Mr. Jarvis Lorry because both of them act like a fairy godparents to Lucie Manette.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Miss Pross’ key role is to protect Lucie and be a companion. In events she is a part of, she is always there for Lucie Manette in order to be a companion and to protect her from any harm.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“And you in Brown! Couldn’t you tell her what you had to tell her, without frightening her to death? Look at her, with her pretty pale face and her cold hands. Do you call that being a Banker?”

“Mr. Lorry knew Miss Pross to be very jealous, but he also knew her by this time to be, beneath the surface of her eccentricity,  on of those unselfish creatures-found only among women- who will, for pure love and admiration, bind themselves willing slaves, to youth when they have lost it, to beauty that they never had, to accomplishments that they were never fortunate enough to gain, to bright hopes that never shone upon their own somber lives.”

 

 

 

 

 

Character Profile: Stryver

 

 

Physical Description:

Mr. Stryver was a “man of little more than thirty, but looking twenty years older than he was, stout, loud, red, bluff, and free from any drawback of delicacy…”

 

Connection of P.D. to Mental Description or Personality:

Mr. Stryver’s physical attributes fit his personality perfectly because by being stout and red, it makes sense why he has a way of pushing way of shouldering himself into companies and conversations. He also shows that he also argue very well for his shouldering his way up in life.

 

Personality Traits/ Behaviors/ Mannerisms:

Mr. Stryver is an ambitious man. Since he cannot think critically as well as Carton, he must rely on Carton to come up with words for court trials. Stryver acts pretentious, arrogant, and imprudent.

 

Nicknames/ Symbolic References:

Stryver is referred as the lion because he is the attorney that actually speaks, although he cannot do anything without Carton.

 

“Mysterious” or “Magical” Traits:

Stryver has a way of “shouldering” himself into many different places and wanting to go up the social classes.

 

Connections/ Relationships to other Characters:

Stryver is Carton’s law partner and he meets Charles Darnay and Lucie Manette through a trial. He soon falls in love with Lucie but as things don’t work out, he quickly drops out.

 

Key Role/ Job/ Presence in Events:

Stryver’s key role is the object of the satire.

 

Quotes that Reveal Insights about Him/Her:

“Then Mr. Stryver turned and burst out of the Bank, causing such a concussion of air on his passage through, that to stand up against it bowing behind the two counters, required the utmost remaining strength of the two ancient clerks.”

“It was Stryver’s grand peculiarity that he always seemed too big for any place, or space.”