S-W Charles Dickens Characters
Sydney Carton, Madame Defarge, Uriah Heep, Mr. Micawber
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) created numerous memorable characters. Some characters were socially significant, others simply amusing, but each emerges larger than life from the pages of Dickens’ fictional volumes.
His characters often reveal something about the author, his literary style, the society of his era, or human nature in general. Many of the character names are often mentioned, but which of these names sound familiar?
Continuing from M-R Charles Dickens Characters, have these characters from the “Dickens Dictionary” of character names from S-W populated your imagination? Do you know from which novels each originated or the literary or historical importance some acquired?
Sydney Carton
Shrewd sharp-witted barrister, who indulges in intoxication and self-pity about his wasted life, Sydney Carton is a central character of A Tale of Two Cities. His indulgent lifestyle is in direct parallel to the character he resembles in appearance, Charles Darney.
Both men come to love the sweet beauty Lucie Manette, who initially unaware of Sydney’s affection, falls in love with Charles, whom she marries. Sydney continues his decadent ways, but his appreciation of Lucie’s goodness remains his salvation.
When the bloodshed following the French Revolution threatens to claim the goodhearted Charles, Sydney unselfishly takes it upon himself to make the ultimate sacrifice to spare Lucie and her innocent child from sorrow, leading to the uttering of the often quoted words, “It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done…”
Therese Defarge or Madame Defarge
Madame Therese Defarge is another character from A Tale of Two Cities. She is a vigilant supporter of the French Revolution because she seeks revenge on the aristocracy for the wrongs committed against her family.
Unfeelingly knitting at the foot of the guillotine at each execution, Madame Defarge is a darkly embittered character, and as the behavior of Sydney juxtaposes to that of Charles, the personality of Therese juxtaposes to the forgiving Lucie.
Uriah Heep
The insincerely humble, Uriah Heep is an antagonist from David Copperfield. A scheming, greedy, and ambitious creator, he is also somewhat deformed in figure and socially inept. He commits several treacherous acts, only being foiled when he attempts to blackmail the good and intelligent Agnes Wickfield into marrying him.
Vincent Crummles
Head of a theater troupe, who gives employment and guidance to the title character of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Vincent Crummles enjoys the acting profession, but sometimes longs to retire with his family to the country. Like many Dickens characters, Crummles is larger than life in his fluctuating jolliness and desire.
Wilkins Micawber
One of Dickens’ most famous characters, Mr. Micawber is a featured character of David Copperfield. Jovial, good-natured, but irresponsible, Micawber spends an extended period in debtors' prison. Although used by Dickens to make comment on the irony of debtor’s prison, Micawber and his long suffering wife are permitted a happy ending.
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