There were many powerful women in A Tale of Two Cities including Miss Pross, Madame Defarge and of course, Lucie Manette. At this time in history, women not only had an impact on this book but they also had an impact on the French Revolution. In actual history, women participated in virtually every aspect of the revolution but their part in the revolution was almost always controversial. Women were viewed differently during the revolution than men. In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens portrays three women characters in his work that all obtain the trait of strength but each one displays it differently within the ways they act and interact throughout the book.
Lucie Manette, the first female character introduced in the book, has strength that derives from her compassion which could be why some readers could possibly believe she is a little too emotional. Despite the turmoil that surrounds her, she remains innocent. You begin to realize the depth of her character within her relationship with Sydney Carton. You become more exposed to her undeniable compassion for those she loves, similar to her nanny Miss Pross. “ If it will do you any good, Mr. Carton, if it would make you happier, it would make me very glad!” (Dickens 135) Lucie is a very interesting character in this book. She finds pleasure in others happiness and strength within her compassion for what she believes in and who she loves. “ No, Mr. Carton. I am sure that the best part of it might still be; I am sure that you might be much, much worthier of yourself” (Dickens 135). Here, she is assuring Sydney Carton that although he may not see it, she knows there’s a man inside of him that is capable and much worthier than the man he makes himself out to be. One of Lucie’s best traits happens to be her ability to see the good in others when they are not able to see it themselves. Carton portrays a man vs self conflict in which his internal problems seem to be greater than the ones going on around him. He…