In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Sydney Carton proves to be the most dynamic character. He first appears to be a lazy, alcoholic "jackal" that demonstrates no interest in anything in life; however, even in the earlier chapters of the novel, it is sensed that Carton has found a feeling, which he cannot articulate. This triggers a complete revolution in Carton's character and mindset; in fact, his new found feelings of love for Miss Manette causes him to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to spare his counterpart, Charles Darnay. .
Carton is introduced as one of the attorneys whose almost-identical appearance wins Mr. Stryver his case for Darnay's innocence. Carton then escorts Darnay to a tavern and asks how it feels to receive the sympathy of a woman like Lucie. Carton laments, "A good reason for taking to a man, that he shows you have fallen away from, and what you might have been! Change places with him, and would you have been looked at by those blue eyes as he was, and commiserated by that agitated face as he was?" (Dickens 76) Carton's own feelings toward his look-alike waver between admiration and hostility. As Darnay leaves, Sydney examines himself and realized that he is everything that he might have been and therefore a worthy object of hatred.
Lucie Manette also plays a most valuable part in Carton's character development. She surfaces feelings within Carton that is particularly new to him. The usually bitter jackal has learned to love. Soon after his rival, Charles Darnay, asks Lucie's father for his daughter's hand in marriage, Sydney pledges his undying love to Lucie, admitting that, though his life is utterly worthless, she has helped him dream of a better, more valuable existence. "For you, and for any dear to you, I would do anything I would embrace any sacrifice for you and for those dear to you." (140) His pledge foreshadows a time at which his vow will be called upon to fulfill.
