Sydney Carton = Hunchback of Notre dame
Two outcasts with no self-worth or respect for themselves. This pretty much sums up both the hunchback and Sydney Carton at the beginning of their own stories. While the hunchback is ridiculed for his physical appearance. Carton is actually very handsome, a look alike to Charles Darnay, and extremely intelligent. It is his drunk ways and passive attitude that make him an outcast in this novel. This all changes when both characters fall in love with beautiful girls, who they know are out of their league. The hunchback actually wins his girl over , and they fall in love. Carton on the other hand isn't so lucky, but resolves in Book 2 chapter 20 not to have any hard feelings for both Lucie, and Carton's more respected look-alike, Charles Darnay.
“You are good enough to say so, as a fashion of speech; but, I don’t mean any fashion of speech. Indeed, when I say I wish we might be friends, I scarcely mean quite that, either.” ( Book 2, Chapter 20)
The significance of this quote is tremendous, because it shows a shift in Carton's character. He is becoming more mature, and willing to do whatever it takes to make Lucie happy.1.
Discussion time!
Why was Lucie defending Sydney Carton at the end of chapter 20?
In chapter 20, when Carton comes to the home of Darnay and asks for his hand in friendship, Darnay is unsure of how to treat Carton. Afterwards, Lucie notices Darnay’s behavior and immediately comes to Carton’s defense. Lucie defended Carton because she knows “he has a heart he very, very seldom reveals” with “deep wounds in it” (193). Lucie knows of Cartons heart because of Carton’s confession to her earlier in the novel. Carton had his own personal battle going on within him. Carton felt useless and unworthy. Later in the novel he rebels and has a personal uprising and revolution within himself. At this point, only Lucie understands Carton’s true identity and the potential he carries. Lucie is able to see into Carton’s heart. Carton has not yet proved himself, but by the end of the novel Carton will truly redeem himself and show everyone what he is capable of. Lucie defends Carton because she already sees that capability within him.
“You are good enough to say so, as a fashion of speech; but, I don’t mean any fashion of speech. Indeed, when I say I wish we might be friends, I scarcely mean quite that, either.” ( Book 2, Chapter 20)
The significance of this quote is tremendous, because it shows a shift in Carton's character. He is becoming more mature, and willing to do whatever it takes to make Lucie happy.1.
Discussion time!
Why was Lucie defending Sydney Carton at the end of chapter 20?
In chapter 20, when Carton comes to the home of Darnay and asks for his hand in friendship, Darnay is unsure of how to treat Carton. Afterwards, Lucie notices Darnay’s behavior and immediately comes to Carton’s defense. Lucie defended Carton because she knows “he has a heart he very, very seldom reveals” with “deep wounds in it” (193). Lucie knows of Cartons heart because of Carton’s confession to her earlier in the novel. Carton had his own personal battle going on within him. Carton felt useless and unworthy. Later in the novel he rebels and has a personal uprising and revolution within himself. At this point, only Lucie understands Carton’s true identity and the potential he carries. Lucie is able to see into Carton’s heart. Carton has not yet proved himself, but by the end of the novel Carton will truly redeem himself and show everyone what he is capable of. Lucie defends Carton because she already sees that capability within him.