Sydney Carton is a dynamic character in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Sydney Carton, together with many of the characters in the novel are driven by an underlying force. The force of true love motivates Sydney Carton. Although Sydney Carton is introduced into the novel as a worthless drunk and a man who has not done well in his lifetime, we see the true character of his being as the novel draws to an end. Sydney Carton is characterized as being considerate and compassionate. Sydney Carton is an example of the ultimate hero in literature. .
Throughout the novel, Carton expresses a negative outlook on life. After the trial of Charles Darnay in England, Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay speak to each other. On page 82 we see a confirmation of Carton's pessimistic beliefs when he says to Darnay , "I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me." Sydney Carton is a man of several distinct characteristics. Originally, Carton is shown to be a distressed and frustrated alcoholic. Evidence of this is shown on page 88 when the narrator says," He threw himself down in his clothes on a neglected bed, and its pillow was wet with wasted tears." The image of "wasted tears" leads the reader to believe that Sydney Carton is not pleased with himself as a person and cries as a result of his unhappiness. In addition, on page 88 the narrator continues to say, "Sadly, sadly the sun rose; it rose upon no sadder sight than the man of good abilities and good emotions, incapable of their directed exercise, incapable of his own help and his own happiness." This clearly shows that although Sydney Carton is a very smart lawyer, he does not apply his intelligence well. The foundation of Mr. Stryver's success is without a doubt Sydney Carton. Sydney carton is described to have no capability of being happy or helping himself.
