# Mr. Barsad — A Tale of Two Cities character guide

> Mr. Barsad in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Barsad, John Barsad, John, Solomon, Solomon John, dear Solomon, John Solomon

**First appearance:** 0011-ii-a-sight

## Snapshot

A sallow, aquiline-nosed turncoat who sells testimony in London courtrooms and information in Paris wine-shops, always to whoever pays last.

## Who they are

Barsad testifies against Charles Darnay at the Old Bailey as a hired witness, then resurfaces in Paris as a jailer and spy — and as Miss Pross's long-lost brother Solomon. Madame Defarge records his description in her knitted register with a laugh at how accurate it is. His double-dealing makes him useful to nearly everyone and trustworthy to no one, a hinge on which several later rescues turn.

## Relationships

### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette)

_rivalry_

Barsad is a spy and informant who threatens Lucie's family, and she is wary of his malicious intentions.

### [Sydney Carton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/sydney_carton)

_rivalry_

Carton outmaneuvers and blackmails Barsad to secure Darnay's escape, making Barsad a reluctant pawn in Carton's plan.

### [Sydney Carton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/sydney_carton)

_rivalry_

Carton outmaneuvers and blackmails Barsad to secure Darnay's escape, making Barsad a reluctant pawn in Carton's plan.

### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette)

_rivalry_

Barsad is a spy and informant who threatens Lucie's family, and she is wary of his malicious intentions.

### [Lucie Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/lucie_manette)

_rivalry_

Barsad is a spy and informant who threatens Lucie's family, and she is wary of his malicious intentions.

### [Sydney Carton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/sydney_carton)

_rivalry_

Carton outmaneuvers and blackmails Barsad to secure Darnay's escape, making Barsad a reluctant pawn in Carton's plan.

## In the story

### [A Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iii-a-disappointment)

Testifies as a patriot witness; cross-examined about his past as a spy, debtor, and gambler.

### [Still Knitting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xvi-still-knitting)

Introduced as a new English spy commissioned for Saint Antoine; visits the wine-shop and is identified by Madame Defarge.

### [A Hand at Cards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/viii-a-hand-at-cards)

Exposed as a spy and Miss Pross's brother, Solomon; threatened with denunciation by Carton.

### [Fifty-Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xiii-fifty-two)

Assists Carton in the exchange, bringing men to carry the unconscious Darnay away.

### [The Footsteps Die Out Forever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xv-the-footsteps-die-out-forever)

Observes the tumbrils and identifies Evrémonde (Darnay) to a hostile onlooker.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_barsad
- 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