# Charles Darnay — A Tale of Two Cities character guide > Charles Darnay in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Darnay, Darnay, young Mr. Darnay, Charles, Mr. Charles, Charles Darnay, Evrémonde, Charles Evrémonde **First appearance:** 0011-ii-a-sight ## Snapshot A French nobleman who renounced his title and inheritance to earn his own way in England, only to fall in love with Lucie Manette. ## Who they are Darnay lives in London as a teacher of French, having turned his back on the Evrémonde name and the cruelties attached to it. He loves Lucie from the moment she testifies at his treason trial, but hesitates to speak, weighed down by the shadow of his family's past and a promise he must keep to Dr. Manette. His choice to live honestly rather than inherit privilege places him between two nations and makes his fate a test of whether a man can escape the sins of his blood. ## Relationships ### [Sydney Carton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/sydney_carton) _rivalry_ They are romantic rivals for Lucie's love, yet Carton secretly admires and later sacrifices himself for Darnay due to their striking resemblance. ### [Doctor Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/doctor_manette) _family_ Darnay becomes Doctor Manette's son-in-law, and despite initial tension over his family history, they develop a respectful bond. ### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette) _romantic_ Darnay and Lucie are deeply in love and marry, forming the emotional heart of the story. ### [Mr. Stryver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_stryver) _professional_ Stryver is Darnay's defense attorney during his treason trial, and later a rival for Lucie's hand, but they remain civil. ### [Sydney Carton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/sydney_carton) _rivalry_ They are romantic rivals for Lucie's love, yet Carton secretly admires and later sacrifices himself for Darnay due to their striking resemblance. ### [Doctor Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/doctor_manette) _family_ Darnay becomes Doctor Manette's son-in-law, and despite initial tension over his family history, they develop a respectful bond. ### [Doctor Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/doctor_manette) _family_ Darnay becomes Doctor Manette's son-in-law, and despite initial tension over his family history, they develop a respectful bond. ### [Mr. Stryver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_stryver) _professional_ Stryver is Darnay's defense attorney during his treason trial, and later a rival for Lucie's hand, but they remain civil. ### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette) _romantic_ Darnay and Lucie are deeply in love and marry, forming the emotional heart of the story. ### [Sydney Carton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/sydney_carton) _rivalry_ They are romantic rivals for Lucie's love, yet Carton secretly admires and later sacrifices himself for Darnay due to their striking resemblance. ### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette) _romantic_ Darnay and Lucie are deeply in love and marry, forming the emotional heart of the story. ### [Mr. Stryver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_stryver) _professional_ Stryver is Darnay's defense attorney during his treason trial, and later a rival for Lucie's hand, but they remain civil. ## In the story ### [Book the Second: The Golden Thread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/book-the-second-the-golden-thread) Tried for treason; acquitted due to Carton's clever defense. ### [A Sight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/ii-a-sight) The accused, standing trial for treason, remains calm and self-possessed despite the ogreish interest of the crowd and the grim sentence he faces. ### [A Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iii-a-disappointment) The prisoner on trial for treason, accused of passing military lists to France. ### [IV: Congratulatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iv-congratulatory) Recently acquitted of treason, he is congratulated by friends and later dines with Sydney Carton. ### [Hundreds of People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/vi-hundreds-of-people) Joins the family under the plane-tree and recounts a story about a dungeon inscription that unsettles Doctor Manette. ### [IX: The Gorgon's Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/ix-the-gorgon-s-head) The Marquis's nephew who renounces his title and property, expressing guilt over the family's wrongs and planning to live by working in England. ### [X: Two Promises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/x-two-promises) Seeks Doctor Manette's blessing to court Lucie, promises to reveal his true identity on his marriage morning. ### [Nine Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xviii-nine-days) Marries Lucie Manette and departs with her for their honeymoon, leaving Doctor Manette behind. ### [A Plea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xx-a-plea) Generously agrees to Carton's request and later learns from Lucie of Carton's hidden depths, promising to be more lenient. ### [Echoing Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xxi-echoing-footsteps) Charles Darnay is Lucie's husband, whose strong and prosperous step is heard among the echoes; he discusses the unrest in Paris with Mr. Lorry. ### [Drawn to the Loadstone Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xxiv-drawn-to-the-loadstone-rock) Receives Gabelle's letter, feels drawn to Paris by a 'Loadstone Rock,' resolves to go secretly to help his servant and possibly guide the Revolution. ### [Book the Third: The Track of a Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/book-the-third-the-track-of-a-storm) Returns to Paris to aid Gabelle, is arrested and tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal, and is ultimately condemned to death. ### [I: In Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/i-in-secret) Travels from England to Paris under escort, is arrested and sent to La Force prison. ### [The Grindstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/ii-the-grindstone) Imprisoned in La Force after returning to Paris on an errand of generosity. ### [Calm in Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iv-calm-in-storm) Remains a prisoner in La Force for one year and three months; the Doctor visits him weekly and brings messages to Lucie. ### [The Wood-Sawyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/v-the-wood-sawyer) Charles is imprisoned and occasionally sees Lucie from a prison window; he is summoned for trial the following day. ### [Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/vi-triumph) Arraigned as 'Charles Evrémonde, called Darnay' before the Tribunal, accused as an emigrant; defended by Doctor Manette's testimony and acquitted. ### [A Knock at the Door](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/vii-a-knock-at-the-door) Recently saved from the Tribunal, he is arrested again by four armed men who denounce him as Evrémonde. ### [A Hand at Cards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/viii-a-hand-at-cards) Reported to have been arrested again, causing alarm. ### [The Game Made](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/ix-the-game-made) Re-accused and tried before the Revolutionary Tribunal as Charles Evrémonde, denounced as an aristocrat and enemy of the Republic. ### [X: The Substance of the Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/x-the-substance-of-the-shadow) Identified as the nephew of the Marquis Evrémonde and condemned to death based on Manette's denunciation. ### [Dusk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xi-dusk) Condemned prisoner who bids farewell to Lucie, thanks Doctor Manette, and is led away. ### [Fifty-Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xiii-fifty-two) Awaiting execution, writes farewell letters, struggles with thoughts of death, is drugged and exchanged by Carton. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/charles_darnay - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters