Charles Darnay

   

          Charles Darnay is a young adult living in England, but born in France, and an Aristocrat through blood. Darnay plays an important part in Charles Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities when having a love interest in the protagonist, Lucie Manette. Darnay is portrayed in the book as strong, intelligent and selfless. The poorly drawn muscle in the image represents Darnay's strength, his mental strength, not physical. "...we[Darnay's Family] have done wrong, and are reaping the fruits of wrong"(Dickens 94). Charles Darnay here is explaining to his uncle (who is an Aristocrat) that the actions done by their family are wrong and should be stopped. Darnay depicts strength because it can take a lot of effort and strength to admit that you or someone you love, has done wrong. He is mentally strong enough to deal with a situation like this and stand up to a family member. He is showing that he has the capability to put an end to something (his family's wrong doings)that he disagrees with, and that takes a lot of strength and courage. Another characteristic of Charles Darnay is intelligence, the brain is used to display that. "...Mr.Charles Darnay was established in English as a higher teacher of the French Language who was conversant with French literature"(Dickens 99). Being a teacher takes  a great amount of intelligence and hard work. For Darnay to leave his family in France, and stay in England for a year to become a teacher, shows great intelligence and passion. Darnay is intelligent for taking the time to learn information about something he enjoys and then teaching others that. Darnay's intelligence is not only from what he has learned, but also how he's spinning his time. Time that is being put forward to become a teacher. Charles Darnay is also selfless (displayed by the heart.) "...I look only to sharing your fortunes, sharing your life and home, and being faithful to you to death. Not to divide with Lucie her privilege as your child, companion, and friend; but to come in aid of it, and bind her closer to you, if such a thing can be" (Dickens 103). Darnay is asking Dr.Manette for his daughter's hand in marriage. Dr.Manette is soon worried that his relationship with his daughter would be postponed once again, but Darnay is able to reassure him that that is not his intension. Darnay is being selfless when putting his future father-in-law before himself. He promises Dr.Manette that he would not steal his daughter away from his life. Charles Darnay obviously holds a large place in his heart for Lucie, and wants to have a life with her away from everyone else. But for him to think of other's needs (specifically Dr.Manette's because of his interest in his daughter) before his own is very selfless. Darnay is making other's happiness a priority than his own. Lastly, an object that would symbolize Charles Darnay is a horse and carriage. A horse and carriage represents travel and work, and it constantly seems like Darnay is traveling and working. He is repeatedly going between England, his home, and France, his birth place. Darnay explains "This property and France are lost to me" (Dickens 95). He says that France is lost to him because his family lives there, and it almost feels like they have betrayed him with the actions and pain they have caused for others. With Darnay having family conflicts, he is always moving to and from France. When wanting to get away from those problems, he falls back on England to delay them. His past in France are still a big part of his life, but England his is where his current life is held. A horse and carriage are bringing him along on these numerous amount of travels. In conclusion, strength, intelligence, selflessness and a horse and carriage all represent Charles Dicken's character, Charles Darnay.