# Sydney Carton — A Tale of Two Cities character guide > Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Carton, Sydney, Syd, dear Carton, Mr. Carton, poor Mr. Carton **First appearance:** 0014-v-the-jackal ## Snapshot A brilliant, self-loathing barrister who drinks away his gifts and confesses to Lucie that he is beyond saving. ## Who they are Carton works as Stryver's silent legal mind, a man whose talents are wasted on drink and whose chief occupation is despising himself. He loves Lucie with a hopeless clarity, telling her plainly that he would only drag her down, and asking nothing in return but that she remember him now and then. His confession in Soho is one of the novel's most tender scenes, and it plants the seed of a devotion that will prove, in the end, to be the most selfless force in the book. ## Relationships ### [Charles Darnay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/charles_darnay) _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) _friendship_ Lucie shows compassion and kindness to Carton, inspiring him to become a better man, though he loves her unrequitedly. ### [Mr. Stryver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_stryver) _professional_ Stryver is Carton's legal superior and friend, relying on Carton's legal brilliance to win cases while taking the credit. ### [Mr. Barsad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_barsad) _rivalry_ Carton outmaneuvers and blackmails Barsad to secure Darnay's escape, making Barsad a reluctant pawn in Carton's plan. ### [Doctor Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/doctor_manette) _friendship_ Doctor Manette grows to trust and appreciate Carton, who ultimately sacrifices his life to save Darnay, the doctor's son-in-law. ### [Charles Darnay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/charles_darnay) _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) _friendship_ Lucie shows compassion and kindness to Carton, inspiring him to become a better man, though he loves her unrequitedly. ### [Mr. Stryver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_stryver) _professional_ Stryver is Carton's legal superior and friend, relying on Carton's legal brilliance to win cases while taking the credit. ### [Mr. Barsad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_barsad) _rivalry_ Carton outmaneuvers and blackmails Barsad to secure Darnay's escape, making Barsad a reluctant pawn in Carton's plan. ### [Doctor Manette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/doctor_manette) _friendship_ Doctor Manette grows to trust and appreciate Carton, who ultimately sacrifices his life to save Darnay, the doctor's son-in-law. ### [Mr. Stryver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/mr_stryver) _professional_ Stryver is Carton's legal superior and friend, relying on Carton's legal brilliance to win cases while taking the credit. ### [Charles Darnay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/charles_darnay) _rivalry_ They are romantic rivals for Lucie's love, yet Carton secretly admires and later sacrifices himself for Darnay due to their striking resemblance. ## 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) Secures Darnay's acquittal by exploiting their resemblance; shows early signs of self-loathing. ### [A Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iii-a-disappointment) Appears in court with a careless, almost insolent manner; speaks briefly to Darnay about Lucie Manette. ### [IV: Congratulatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/iv-congratulatory) Assists in Darnay's defense but remains aloof; later drinks heavily and expresses bitterness and self-hatred. ### [The Jackal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/v-the-jackal) Referred to as the 'jackal,' Carton labors behind the scenes for Stryver, drinking heavily and showing signs of self-loathing and wasted potential. ### [X: Two Promises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/x-two-promises) Mentioned as having visited Doctor Manette recently with Mr. Stryver. ### [A Companion Picture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xi-a-companion-picture) Exhausted from working double tides, drinking heavily, and displaying his characteristic self-loathing and incorrigibility. ### [The Fellow of No Delicacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xiii-the-fellow-of-no-delicacy) Reveals his deep love for Lucie, his self-loathing, and his vow to sacrifice anything for her happiness. ### [A Plea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xx-a-plea) Humbly asks Darnay for permission to visit as a tolerated, useless piece of furniture, revealing his self-loathing and hidden longing for connection. ### [Echoing Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xxi-echoing-footsteps) Sydney Carton visits the family half a dozen times a year, never drunk, and is affectionately remembered by little Lucie and the deceased boy. ### [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) Travels to Paris, orchestrates Darnay's escape by switching places with him, and dies on the guillotine. ### [A Hand at Cards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/viii-a-hand-at-cards) Plays a high-stakes game of blackmail against Barsad, revealing his cunning and resolve. ### [The Game Made](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/ix-the-game-made) Resolves to sacrifice himself; walks through Paris, meditates on resurrection, obtains chemicals, and prepares for the next day. ### [Dusk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xi-dusk) Emerges from a corner to carry Lucie, comforts little Lucie, kisses the unconscious Lucie murmuring 'A life you love,' and urges Doctor Manette to try to save Darnay. ### [Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xii-darkness) Sober and determined, Carton executes a careful plan to save Lucie and her family, overhearing Madame Defarge's murderous intentions and coordinating with Mr. Lorry. ### [Fifty-Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xiii-fifty-two) Enters Darnay's cell, drugs him, exchanges clothes, and arranges for Darnay's escape, taking his place to die. ### [The Footsteps Die Out Forever](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/chapters/xv-the-footsteps-die-out-forever) Goes to the guillotine in place of Charles Darnay, comforting a young seamstress and facing death with serene resolve. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_tale_of_two_cities_se/characters/sydney_carton - 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