Sydney Carton is one of the most important and interesting characters in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. The essence of his character is the dramatic change he makes throughout the book. Although he is a miserable drunkard at the beginning of the book, he gradually shows signs of feeling for other people and eventually gives up his own life for the sake of others. Dickens demonstrates through Sydney Carton's path to a hero that people who start life appearing worthless can often make remarkable transformations. At the beginning of the book, Sydney Carton is presented as intelligent and caring, but is portrayed as a drunkard whose low self-esteem causes him to have problems with others. Carton is a lawyer who defends Charles Darnay, on trial on charges of espionage for the French. At first, it appears that Carton's partner, John Stryver, is doing most of the work at the start of the trial, questioning witnesses, while Carton stares aimlessly into space. Their case was falling apart, with witness after witness testifying that they had seen Charles Darnay incriminate himself. Carton emerges from the trance and suggests that Stryver point out the striking similarity in appearance between Darnay and Carton. This led to credible doubts as to whether the witnesses were actually seeing who they thought they were seeing. Although Carton came up with this idea, Stryver presents it and then takes credit for it. The idea that Carton works for Stryver continues. Throughout this scene, Dickens compares Sydney Carton to a “jackal” and Stryver to a “lion.” While Carton works on Stryver's cases he is described as (Dickens 91). A jackal is an animal that hunts lions. However after killing the meat, the lion chases...... middle of paper ...... all actions are those of kindness towards another frightened human being. Before being executed, Sydney Carton reflects on his existence, saying that this quote demonstrates the sacrifice Carton makes for Lucie and his family, as a result of the change he undergoes to become a better man. At the end of his life, he realizes that he has not been perfect and that he has made mistakes. Sacrifice and heroism also give him inner peace when he dies. Sydney Carton died heroically. The fact that he began the book as such a selfish and uncaring person makes this heroism even more significant. It also makes him seem like a much more realistic and relatable character: he has flaws but grows to overcome them. Interestingly, if Carton had no initial flaws, he may not have realized the magnitude of what he “did” and the quality of “rest” he now deserves..