Pd 1 totc character watcher-alyssa tice
I chose to follow Carton. He has changed a lot throughout the story. In the beginning he was rude and didn’t really want to deal with people. By the last chapters he is more mature and is willing to do things for others. For example, in chapter 4 Carton says to Darnay, “I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me.” This makes him sound like a misanthrope that doesn’t want to bother with anyone and wants to be left alone. But in the last chapter Carton demonstrates some kindness. When Darnay has been condemned his family is very upset, so Carton switches clothes with him and dies in his place. I think that was very considerate of him, and I see him as a hero. That is not an easy task, Carton has definately grown a lot.
What do you think caused the change in Carton? Why was he so willing to do what he did for Darnay? Do you think you could have done the same thing?
=)
Alyssa
Category: Character Watcher 2 comments »
March 7th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
This is going to sound cheesy, but I think that what changed Carton was love. He feel in love with Lucie like all of the others, but I don’t think that he ever really had a chance with her because he had so many personality problems and issues. This might have been the reason he changed. If he truly was in love with her, he would have wanted to do anything to make him happy. Her “rejection” of him could have also forced him to think about his life and reflect on all sourness in it. I’m sure there are other things that made him change, but love is one that probably impacted him the most.
I think that Carton died for Darnay because he was able to see how Darnay’s death affect so many more people than his own would. Without Darnay, Carton could see how Lucie, Lorry, Dr. Manette, and so many other lives would change. While Carton certainly affected their lives, Darnay’s life or death was the one that would control each character’s destiny. But that is just one reason for Carton to sacrifice himself. Perhaps the greatest motivator for Carton was the chance to be a hero. Up until this point, his life had been going downhill and this was the one chance for him to be the person he always wanted to be.
If I was Carton, then yes, I probably would have done what he had. From what we know about his character and motivations, I most likely would have made the same decision. But if you are asking about making this choice in my life right now, I would have a different answer. I would like to say that I could have done the same thing in Carton’s position. But truth be told, I don’t think that I could have done it. I really don’t know. I don’t think anyone could know the answer to that question until they were right in the moment. It’s one thing to think about the situation and question yourself, but it is a totally different thing to be in the moment and feel the emotions.
Erin B
March 8th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I agree with you Erin, as I was reading Alyssa post and got to the first question I thought of his love for Lucie. I think that he realized throughout the book that Lucie loved Darnay and not him. This brought the change from him old self who would probably try to do anything to get her to him now whp grows up and realizes that her feelings will never change and that if he really loves her than he just wants her to be happy. I think that this is what caused the change.
Once again I think that it was his love for not only Lucie but maybe his friendship with Darnay. I think that he was willing to sacrafice his life for Lucie to be happy but also for Darnay to be happy. Also for what Erin said I think that he realized that Darnay’s death would have affected so many people and he didn’t want to see that happen. I also think this was another growing moment for Cartonl. I think this was the final test to see if he really changed. His action to take is own life for others shows us that he really changed for the good throughout the book.
I think that if I was in Carton’s place that I would give my own life for someone I loved and a good friend. But as a teenager in today’s age I think I would have different answer. Like Erin said I don’t think anybody at our age would be able to make that decision right now.
~Lauren Gress~