In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, there are two characters that put duty before desire. Charles Darnay in living his life with a different name, proves his courage by risking his life by returning to Paris to save Gabelle. "Upon those had followed Gabelle's letter: the appeal of an innocent prisoner, in danger of death, to his justice, honour and good name. His resolution was made. He must go to Paris." Pg. 240. Mr. Defarge and his wife Mrs. Defarge both have desires to kill. By doing this they feel satisfied and that it is their duty to stand up for the people of Paris. Darnay and Defarge both show compassion and dignity in what they are trying to accomplish whether it is good or bad. They may not be doing what they truly desire in their hearts but are putting their duty forth. .
It is often thought that Charles Darnay is not as heroic as Sydney Carton. Sydney Carton died for Charles Darnay by switching places because they looked so similar and he felt that Darnay deserved to live. Once in Paris, Charles is fully ready to die for what they said he did. Sydney wanted to die and pretend it was him at the jail but Charles would not let him. Carton insisted that he must die and be executed. Charles kept trying to say that they would be both killed and that it was madness. "Carton! Dear Carton! It is madness. It cannot be accomplished, it never can be done, it has been attempted, and has always failed. I implore you not to add your death to the bitterness of mine." Pg. 343. The Marquis has done what no one else could have done and he was going to try to rescue Gabelle. Darnay had to leave everything behind including his wife, not telling her the whole truth of where he was going. "But, an affectionate glance at his wife, so happy and busy, made him resolute not to tell her what impended." Pg. 242. Charles knowing that he probably will not succeed in saving Gabelle, decided to leave to Paris the next morning.
