In A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, one of the key characters Madame Defarge embodies the fury and wrath of the French Revolution. Well, America also embodies her own fury and wrath underneath her peaceful and tranquil exterior. Many believe that Madame Defarge is the epitome of evil; where as, America is the light of the new world. America is more like Madame Defarge than most people would like to admit; both have had family brutally killed, seek revenge, and resent certain nationalities or classes of society.
Madame Defarge resembled the common people of France at the time. She was a stout woman (Dickens). The common people of France were looked down upon by the upper class society, and so most people would look down to Madame Defarge because of her shortness. She is bundled up through out most of the book. Common people were cold and hungry during these times. Most had no money for wood for their fires; so, they would throw on all of the clothes that they owned. Madame Defarge is said to have a watchful eye (Dickens). All people of France at this time were watchful of others. One did not know if the person that they grew up with would turn their back and turn you in to the tribunal. Madame Defarge showed much patience at the start of the revolution knitting the names of her victims and not yelling for revenge at that very moment ( Weigel). The citizen too were in essence patient. They waited unhappily in their homes only hoping that justice would come to those who deserved to be on the receiving path.
Madame Defarge also embodied the chaos of the revolution. She was a dark woman with dark hair and eyes. Madame Defarge was always lurking about and eavesdropping on any and every conversation. The revolution was also lurking in the shadows of every corner and waiting for just the right moment to be seen and heard. The dark and brooding air could be seen and heard in every ally and every home.