s of madams “watchful eye that seldom seemed to look at anything, a large hand heavily ringed, a steady face, strong features and great composure of manner”. This description is a total contrast to the delicate fainting figure of MISS manette and further establishes the defarges as enemies of poor breeding and harsh circumstances. Furthermore Mrs defarge is a Frenchwoman born and living in France amongst the pitiful French peasants who become bloodthirsty revolutionaries out to get Lucies husband. In what can sometimes arguably be called the nooks first sentimental and touching scene. The character of Lucie goes through a lot of trouble in coaxing her father from his insanity, laying her head on his shoulder in complete trust of a man she has never met. Thus displaying her exceptional ability for love and trust. When Madame defarge sought vengeance for the cruel injustice committed against her kin, she looked not only the innocent descendant of the culprit, but also the lives of his family. This being Darnay, Lucy, Dr manette &Lucy and darnay’s daughter. These two characters, Madame and Miss “love and hate” are unconditional and total, with absolutely no depth of character. Could not Madame have showed one miniscule crumb of femininity, of human kindness? / Could Lucie not have stolen a vindictive, disdainful glance at the persecutors of her husband? No not with Dickens controlling the characters. Lucie and defarge are created with a solid conviction, and once the plot was laid the barriers he placed on his characters allowed only one route for them to follow. Perhaps this was primitive structure and style, but modern characters are usually painted with more varying actions and human weaknesses. Thus giving a more rounded effect of their role to the reader. Maybe Dickens’s would have won more readers if his characters had been depicted with more humane qualities and believability?Even Dickens’s...
