In Charles Dickins’ A Tale of Two Cities, the character of Lucie Manette is a singularity. One of the few women characters, her role in the novel itself is vital for the advancement of the plot, however in the story she is nothing but a tool. This pattern is held through the novel. Lucie’s singularity and useful yet hollow character can be seen in many places, but particularly in the passage starting on page 94 and continuing on 95, when Lucie and Doctor Manette have just returned from a walk and she is being fussed over by Miss Pross and her father. Here, the passage is initially misleading because it seems as though she is the main object of the event, which is true, however it serves more to illustrate the characters of the people around her and how her presence has affected them and the novel rather than Lucie herself.
From Miss Pross’ affectionate fussing, to Doctor Manette’s fond remarks and Mr. Lorry’s contented observation of the whole affair, it is clear each of these reactions are prompted by their devotion to Lucie. Such devotion that is more an indication of their characters and her effects on them than a further insight into her character. We see more of Miss Pross’ nature in the fact that she would have “retire to her own chamber and cried” had Lucie meaningfully protested against the attention, than we do of Lucie’s nature in her compliance to Miss Pross. Similarly, when Doctor Manette comments on how Miss Pross spoils Lucie, despite himself doing the same, it gives more insight on his constitution, and consequently how it has improved from when the reader first met him, than it gives to Lucie’s character. Though she may be the main figure in this passage, the insights provided are not about her.
Another way Lucie is used as a tool in this passage, as well as in the rest of the novel, is to provide a singularity in the form of a sharp contrast to the rest of the story. The atmosphere of this scene is pleasant, gentle and happy which contrasts sharply to the death, danger and despair in the rest of the novel. As seen in this passage, Lucie is a light in the dark world depicted in the story. She saves her father, “recalling him back to life”, and is the object of affection and desire for most of the characters so far. She is also one half of the marriage plot that propels the story forward. However, despite all this, she is portrayed as nothing but a pretty face and lovely disposition. While she is absolutely vital for the advancement of the novel, she herself gets no dimension.
The phrase Lucie is a light in a dark world depicted in the story reminds me of Peter’s post because Lucie is seen to be a rather innocent character. Peter says that Lucie is supposed to be seen as a virgin which has many positive connotations associated with it. More specifically, it could be one of the reasons the male characters are so drawn to her. Her innocence and view of the world are attractive and unlike any other character in the novel.
It is interesting to read your post in consideration of Victoria’s observations of Lucy. You note some very specific ways Lucie functions, but you speak of them much more clinically and cynically of the value of Lucie’s character. Victoria on the other hand grants Lucie a much more seemingly important roll, as a light. I don’t, however, think yours and Victoria’s posts counteract each others. Rather, you are both observing the way in which Lucie is a positive force on those around her, but this does not do much within the novel besides give various characters something to focus on besides the death and decay going on around them. However, in a novel where there is so much death and decay, perhaps being an (often irritating) source of positivity can be in fact a rather essential roll.
Your argument about the significance of Lucie’s character, but insignificance of her development is very interesting, and something I also noticed as I was reading. However, do you not think this is more of a reflection of the thoughts surrounding young beautiful women of the time? If you think back to the discussion we had in class on Tuesday, which compared the significance/power of the characters Lucie and Mrs. Defarge, I find your analysis/argument very interesting. Though, I feel that Lucie’s lack of importance is more reflective of the society’s regard of young, particularly, beautiful women.