Student Question
Who is more honorable in A Tale of Two Cities, Stryver or Carton?
Quick answer:
In A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton is portrayed as more honorable than C.J. Stryver. Carton, despite his flaws, demonstrates genuine love and selflessness towards Lucie Manette, ultimately sacrificing his life for her happiness. In contrast, Stryver is depicted as arrogant and self-serving, seeking to marry Lucie for personal advancement rather than love. Dickens ironically contrasts their characters in the chapters titled "The Fellow of Delicacy" for Stryver and "The Fellow of No Delicacy" for Carton.
Stryver always comes off to me as a pompous jerk. He has a completely
over-inflated sense of self-worth. Like some 'Ladies-man,' he thinks
Lucie should just fall at his feet. Then when Mr. Lorry is giving him
advice and says he ought to think about the lady first, Stryver insults Lucie,
calling her a "mincing Fool." Stryver may appear to be "The Fellow of
Delicacy," but inside he is rotten to the core.
Sydney Carton may be dissolute, but regarding Lucie Manette, "his feet became animated by an intention" that takes him to the Manette's home. There he tells Lucie that she is the "last dream" of his soul. And, from his soul, Carton resurrects honor as he avows to Lucie,
"For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything. If my career were of that better kind that there was any...
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opportunity or capacity of sacrifice in it, I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you....O Miss manette, when the little picture of a happy ather's face looks up in yours, when you see your own bright beauty springing up anew at your feet, think now and then that there iss a man who would give his life, to keep a life you love beside you!"
And, Sydney Carton honorably keeps his promise, becoming the sacrificial victim in order to save Charles Darnay's life.
Humble about himself, and offering the greatest of loves to Lucie, the love that gives of one's own life, Sydney Carton is far, far more honorable than C. J. Stryver, who "shoulders his way" to advancement, who berates his partner who helps him win his cases, who disparages others in the gossip of Tellson's bank, and who is so obtuse and arrogant that he believes that Lucie Manette should be honored to have him as a husband. As Mr. Lorry tells Stryver when he announces that he is going to announce himself to Miss Lucie,
"But really, you know, Mr. Stryver--...you know there really is so much too much of you!"
Stryver's motive for marrying Lucie is, of course, to advance himself rather than from an honorable feelings such as love. It is ironic, indeed, that Dickens entitles the chapter about Stryver "The Fellow of Delicacy" while the next one which is concerned with Carton is entitled "The Fellow of No Delicacy."