A Tale of Two Cities · Character
Mr. Stryver
A shoulder-first barrister who rides Sydney Carton's brains to fortune, then mistakes another man's brilliance for his own heart's entitlement.
supporting
Also known as Stryver, Bully Stryver
First appearance: The Jackal
As a supporting figure in A Tale of Two Cities, Mr. Stryver is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Darnay's defense attorney; Carton does the actual work.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Stryver bullies his way through the Old Bailey and the Temple, dragging Carton behind him like a towed boat, and grows rich on verdicts his jackal actually won. Encouraged by a courtroom triumph, he decides to marry…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Mr. Stryver sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Mr. Stryver in The JackalCharacter Web
12 connectionsA slice of how Mr. Stryver sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Revolutionary and Aristocratic Forces
- Protagonist
+7 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as Lucie, the story’s emotional anchor, hears the…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Sydney Carton
professional · ambivalent
Stryver is Carton's legal superior and friend, relying on Carton's legal brilliance to… How this plays out →
- Charles Darnay
professional · ambivalent
- Sydney Carton
professional · ambivalent
Stryver is Carton's legal superior and friend, relying on Carton's legal brilliance to… How this plays out →
- Charles Darnay
professional · ambivalent
- Sydney Carton
professional · ambivalent
Stryver is Carton's legal superior and friend, relying on Carton's legal brilliance to… How this plays out →
- Charles Darnay
professional · ambivalent
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Mr. Stryver in The JackalIn the story
Mr. Stryver appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Book the Second: The Golden Thread
- IV: Congratulatory
- The Jackal
- X: Two Promises
- A Companion Picture
- The Fellow of Delicacy
- The Fellow of No Delicacy
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Stryver unlock in the free preview.
See Mr. Stryver in The Jackal