[quote float=”right”]It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.[/quote]
Marquis St. Evrémonde
Charles Darnay’s uncle and twin brother of Charles Darnay’s deceased father, symbolises the arrogant, French aristocracy. Referred to in the novel as “Monseigneur” and “Monsieur”.
Charles Darnay.
A French aristocrat and nephew of Marquis St. Evrémonde, he moves to London to start a new life and becomes a teacher. In disgust at the cruelty of his family to the French peasantry he renounces his rights to the Evrémonde title and changes his surname.
Sydney Carton.
Alcoholic lawyer who bears a striking resemblance to Darnay.
Doctor Alexandre Manette.
Once a highly respected Doctor, Manette was falsely imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years. He was placed there because he knows a secret of the Evrémonde family that they are afraid he will release.
Lucie Manette.
Dr. Manette’s devoted and compassionate daughter.
Monsieur Defarge.
The owner of a French wine shop and leader of the Jacquerie. Once a servant to Dr. Manette. One of the key revolutionary leaders, he embraces the revolution as a noble cause, unlike many other revolutionaries.
Madame Defarge.
The vengeful revolutionary wife of Monsieur Defarge.
Jerry Cruncher.
Messrs. Cruncher and Son. Illustration by Fred Barnard dating from the 1870s.
Jeremiah “Jerry” Cruncher is employed as a porter for Tellson’s Bank in Fleet Street, London. He earns extra money as a body snatcher, removing bodies from their graves for sale to medical schools and students as cadavers.
Cruncher lives in lodgings in Hanging-sword-alley, which was ‘not in a savoury neighbourhood’, with his wife, who he is abusive to, and son, also called Jerry.
During the story of A Tale of Two Cities, Cruncher accompanies Jarvis Lorry and Lucie Manette to Paris to retrieve Dr. Alexandre Manette.