Throughout well-known narratives. writers tend to develop memorable characters in order to heighten the secret plan ; although they may non ever be portrayed in the most considerate mode. In Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities. he besides uses such characters. First. Lucie’s function of over dramatic demoiselle in hurt. Second. Miss Pross’ engagement as the over protective female parent figure. And 3rd. Mme. Defarge as the bloodthirsty crazed scoundrel. Through these characters. Dickens portrays adult females in the three most stereotyped demeanours: weak and delicate. a unreassuring female parent and a psychotic married woman.
Throughout the novel. Lucie is a lame miss who can non stand up to the adversities of life. “Perfectly still and soundless. and non even fallen back in her chair. she sat under his manus. utterly insensible ; with her eyes fixed upon him and with that last look looking as if it were carved or branded in to her forehead” ( Dickens 25 ) . This is Lucie’s reaction to the intelligence from Mr. Lorry that her male parent. presumed to be dead. has been found alive after passing 18 old ages in the Bastille. Alternatively of a normal reaction of cryings and joy. she is merely so amazed that she can non even move ; her look of daze and fright is frozen upon her face. She reacts really likewise when she goes to run into her male parent for the first clip.
Dickens writes. “Mr. Lorry got his arm firmly round the daughter’s waist. and held that she was sinking… ‘I am afraid of it’ she answered. shivering. ‘Of it? What? ’ ‘I mean of him. Of my father’ ” ( 36 ) . Of class it would be intimidating for her to run into her male parent for the first clip in her life but she is on the brink of conking a 2nd clip merely from believing about her male parent. She besides does non even see him as homo mentioning to him as “it” . non even desiring to near her male parent.
Finally. when her hubby is taken off to prison. once more she displays failing. “As he went out at the prisoners’ door. she turned laid her caput fondly on her father’s chest. tried to talk to him and fell at his feet” ( 324 ) . Yes it atrocious to hold her hubby sentenced to decease and is taken off to prison. But. she has a 6 twelvemonth old girl. she can non give in to self-pity and failing. it is the clip for her to be strong non merely for herself but for her girl as good. It is of import for her to see her female parent strong and able to be at that place for her. but when she faints. her hope falls alongside her mother’s organic structure. It seems Lucie has ne’er had to truly contend or be strong for anything in her life before. She acts like she ever needs to trust upon person else ; she is really dependent upon others.
Miss Pross’ function in the novel. although non really big. was however really of import. particularly for Lucie. Miss Pross was the female parent figure in Lucie’s life. ever caring for her and ever fostering her. When Lucie swoons at the reference of her male parent. it is Miss Pross who is the first to her side: “ ‘Why. expression at you all! ’ bawled this figure. turn toing the hostel retainers. ‘Why don’t you go and fetch things. alternatively of standing there gazing at me? …if you don’t conveying smelling salts. cold H2O. and acetum. speedy. I will’ ” ( 26 ) . She rapidly takes charge of the state of affairs and gives out orders in the same urgency as if it was her ain girl.
It is besides ever Lucie for whom she is most concerned about: “ ‘O me. O me! All is lost! ’ cried she. contorting her custodies. ‘What is to be told to Ladybird? He doesn’t cognize me. and is doing places! ’ ” ( 187 ) . Dr. Manette has a backsliding and is no longer coherent. Miss Pross’ first concern is non reconstructing Dr. Manette back to wellness. but what the impact of seeing her male parent like this will make to Lucie. Finally. Miss Pross demonstrates her love for Lucie because she is willing to put down her life for Lucie: “ ‘I am a Briton. ’ said Miss Pross. ‘I am despairing. I don’t care an English tuppence for myself. I know that the longer I keep you here. the greater hope there is for my ladybird’ ” ( 356 ) .
This demonstrates Miss Pross’ love for Lucie. put on the lining her life in the hope that her forfeit will maintain Lucie safe. Miss Pross means good and is ever looking out for Lucie and would make anything for her. However at times her actions are a spot bizarre.
Finally. there is Mme Defarge. a really angry and vindictive adult female. Mme Defarge takes it upon herself to do a registry of all the aristocracy whom she proclaims as enemies to the revolution: “ ‘Knitted in her ain stiches and her ain symbols. it will ever be every bit field to her as the Sun. Confide in Madame Defarge. It would be easier for the weakest craven that lives. to wipe out himself from being. than to wipe out one missive of his name of offenses from the knitted registry of Madame Defarge’ ” ( 166 ) .
This is M. Defarge explicating his wife’s registry to others of the revolution. and stating that any who make it onto the registry ; will run into certain decease. Not merely does she register all aristocracy in her knitwork. but Mme Defarge besides makes a point to retrieve the faces of anyone who is an enemy to the revolution: “ ‘His visual aspect ; is it known? ’ ‘Age. about 40 old ages ; height. about five pess nine ; black hair ; skin color dark ; by and large. instead fine-looking countenance ; eyes dark. face thin. long and sickly ; nose aquiline. but non directly. holding a curious disposition towards the left cheek’…‘It is a portrayal! ’ said madame. express joying. ‘He shall be registered to-morrow’ ” ( 171 ) . Merely from this short description. Mme Defarge already has a mental image of this adult male and even commits it to her memory.
Finally. one time she decides to kill person. she will halt at nil to kill them: “ ‘I have been in the streets from the first. nil has stopped me. I will rupture you to pieces. but I will hold you from that door’ ” ( 356 ) . This is Mme Defarge when she is facing Miss Pross. stating her that she has been contending in the streets for the revolution since twenty-four hours one. and nil will maintain her from killing Lucie every bit good. Mme Defarge’s fury and thirst for blood did greatly assist the revolution. However. it became something that finally consumed her and turned her in to what she set out to destruct in the first topographic point.
It is through these characters that Dickens portrays adult females really unjustly. Lucie as delicate and onionskin. non being able to manage life’s adversities. Miss Pross as the overprotective female parent. sometimes taking her occupation to the extreme. Mme Defarge as the deranged married woman. ever full of choler and force. Even though adult females display these qualities from clip to clip. is it truly just to state that these traits define their whole character.
