Sydney Carton: The Sacrifice of a Shadow

By kelseyrappe on Wed, 01/16/2019 - 05:19
The ever-pensive, never-noticed Sydney Carton: the Jackal in the flesh.

 

S Y D N E Y  C A R T O N

The acclaimed character from Charles Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities is, like so many other characters in this story, "reclaimed to life" throughout its course. Carton's is a journey that was destined to end from the beginning, and yet, the transformation he undergoes until this end is remarkable. Death, for Carton, is the happiest ending he could imagine, no longer because he sees life as pointless, but because in death, he can provide life to those he cares for. Without further ado, let us further understand the character of Sidney Carton through the soundtrack of his life.

1. Waving Through a Window by Ben Platt

 

Give them no reason to stare

No slipping up if you slip away

So I got nothing to share

No, I got nothing to say

 

When Dickens first introduces the reader to the character of Sidney Carton, he is acting as the quiet, yet observant counterpart to the dominating, arrogant lawyer, Stryver. In this first introduction, it is Carton who gives Stryver the idea for the argument that exonerates the defendant against all odds. However, rather than take credit or even speak the argument himself, Carton "wrote a word or two on a little piece of paper, screwed it up, and tossed it to [Stryver]" to deliver (75). He draws no attention to himself by having “nothing to say” himself.

 

Step out, step out of the sun

If you keep getting burned

Step out, step out of the sun

Because you've learned, because you've learned

 

On the outside, always looking in

Will I ever be more than I've always been?

'Cause I'm tap, tap, tapping on the glass

I'm waving through a window

 

After the decision is made, Carton, "who had so long sat looking at the ceiling of the court, changed neither his place nor his attitude, even in this excitement," (77). I point this out to show that Carton's existence is a mere shadow, despite his capacity to shine with his clear intelligence. Carton has chosen to "step out of the sun" as the song indicates because he doesn't believe he is worthy of the light. Instead, he chooses to act as Stryver's shadow with "nothing to share" and "nothing to say" and remains the silent observer, "on the outside, always looking in."

 

The sonic elements of this song also reflect Carton's shadow-like presence as it begins with a quiet, hesitant stream of piano notes, guitar strings, and synthesizers. Instead of a continuous increase in power and volume, these notes pick up speed and sound, only to fall down again in a cyclic pattern, representing Carton’s continuous retreat into the shadows. While the song's various points of stringed crescendo represent the possibility of victory and present of talent within Carton's being, the ending decrescendo matches Carton's portrayal of life as mere existence.

 

The vocal elements of this piece further describe Sydney’s clear capacity to be someone significant, and yet his choice and desire to avoid the spotlight and continue existing in the shadows. As instruments are added one by one, and echoes of voices join with Platt’s in the bridge, a voice that was so clear at the beginning is soon fighting over a beautiful, but chaotic symphony of sound. Platt’s wide range and emotion-filled voice give the listener an expression of vulnerability throughout the piece, and while Sidney often chooses to remain in silence amongst the noise in his own life, one could expect that if he were to speak, his voice might deliver his words in such a manner. Keep this vulnerability in mind, as further songs down the list will touch on Sidney's secret treasure. But for now, let us move on to another Carton classic.

 

2. Hero by Family of the Year

So let me go
I don't wanna be your hero
I don't wanna be a big man
I just wanna fight with everyone else 
 
In addition to his knack for quiet observation, the characteristic next revealed to the reader is Carton’s desire, and ability, to be invisible. Not only is he unwanting of praise, but he purposefully acts through others in order to avoid it altogether, and to view himself as unworthy of it. Though the acquitting argument was his idea, we see Carton passing off a note to Stryver, to play out Carton’s plan without anyone noticing who the plan belonged to. And his plan works, more often than not. Even after his heroic actions in acquitting Darnay, Dickens describes that “nobody had made any acknowledgment of Mr. Carton’s part in the day’s proceedings; nobody had known of it,” (84). Carton’s invisibility is represented well in this song, from its relatively static nature to its lyrics. Carton clearly doesn’t want to be anyone’s hero, though his actions may be deserving of the label to anyone but him, if only he were to let them see they were his own.
 
Your masquerade
I don't wanna be a part of your parade
Everyone deserves a chance to
Walk with everyone else
 
But instead, Carton is determined in letting the world and everyone in it live as though his existence were nullified. He expresses that his greatest desire is “to forget that [he] belongs to the [great terrestrial scheme],” (87) favoring instead the fade away represented in the end of this song and throughout its verses. Rather than starring in anyone’s parade, he just desires “to walk like everyone else” and fade away into a crowd of uncaring, unnoticing people.
 
While the simple sonic nature of this song is beautiful, its rather static nature of repeating the same guitar-plucking cord progression over and over represents Carton's ability to fly under the radar in the presence of many louder, more attention-grabbing players in the game of life. While the song does gain more instruments in the final chorus, giving it more body and dynamics, the end of the song is nearly the same as the beginning. The final sounds you hear are not ones of a powerful drum, thunderous applause, or even the final notes the singer's soothing and understated voice. Instead, the song ends the same way it began: with a simple series of guitar plucks that slow down until they fade away into invisibility. Invisible Man, meet Sidney Carton.
 

3. Nobody Can Save Me by Linkin Park

Although Linkin Park's heavy metal, rather upbeat song may not initially seem like it belongs on Sidney's playlist, if we uncover its sonic elements in addition to its poignant lyrics, this undercover dirge reflects his predicament beautifully.

The guitar plucking that is hidden beneath the layers of music in this song represent Carton's inescapable reality: just as the plucking can’t break out on top of the other layers, Carton can’t break out of his own depression and hopelessness. He is incapable of breaking himself free. Furthermore, the chaotic mixes of music within the song further represent his own chaotic mental cycle of purposelessness and powerlessness. The true tragedy is that this man of “good abilities and good emotions, [is] incapable of their directed exercise … and of his own help and happiness, sensible of the blight on him, and [yet] resigning to let it eat him away.

I’m dancing with my demons
I’m hanging off the edge
Storm clouds gather beneath me
Waves break above my head

I’m holding up a light
Chasing up the darkness inside
'Cause nobody can save me
 
These lyrics further expound upon his predicament of life and his incapacity to make it worthwhile. Carton has done an incredible job at being invisible, and thus states that “[he] cares for no man on this earth, and no man cares for [him],” (87). Thus, Carton would have to agree with Linkin Park’s words: “nobody can save me.”
 
If only I can save me now
I’m holding up a light
Chasing up the darkness inside
And I don’t wanna let you down
But only I can save me
 
But the tragedy of Carton’s character goes even further than his lack of meaningful relationships, or relationships in general. As Stryver points out, Carton’s life in his own hands is not a promise of power, but acquiescence to nihilism: “Carton, your way is, and always was, a lame way. You summon no energy and purpose,” (91). While Linkin Park portrays the idea that only Carton is in a position to save himself, he is incapable of doing so. He’s given nobody the power or reason to save him... if only he could save himself. Or find someone who could give him the strength to… which brings us to our next song.

4. I'll Be by Edwin McCain

 

While necessary to include a love song on this playlist, it’s important to note that this song in particular is a ballad of heartbreaking unrequited love, and therefore perfectly fitting for our Sydney Carton. Although “the cloud of caring for nothing, which overshadowed him with such a fatal darkness, was rarely pierced by the light…” it is Lucie Manette, known as the Golden Thread, that is able to turn his shadow into a spark that may “light nothing, and idly burn away,” but burns nonetheless (148, 151). Carton’s character here is shown to find purpose in his love, unreciprocated as it may be.

Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

The violin's airy presence in this song offers a small bit of hope throughout its heartbreaking lyrics, a hope evident in Carton's discovery. Though she may be “the last dream of his soul,” this statement proves that his soul is capable of love and attachment (150). He finds himself clinging to his love as purpose, whether that be "hanging from [her] lips [or] the gallows of heartache" that McCain describes.

I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

The sad truth of the matter is, from the beginning, Carton doesn’t see himself as worthy of Lucie’s love and never hoped to gain it in the first place; even the whimsical strings in this song provide an element of happily-ever-after that is too good to be true for Carton. But his heart’s capacity to love brings him a sense of purpose he never thought possible, as McCain is able to express so soulfully in this song. His ability to be something for Lucie, in his mind, is far more realistic than being anything to Lucie, and just as purposeful considering his history of invisibility and incapacity. Just as Lucie's existence grounds him from his dark thoughts, the steady beat of the tambourine throughout the various instrumental melodies act as a call back to the moment... a reason for living in Carton's case. His soul and his purpose are anchored to her, and thus, “for [her], [he] would do anything… embrace any sacrifice for [her] and those [dear to her],” (152). He is the literal embodiment of McCain’s “love suicide,” as we’ll proceed to see with the next song.

5. When You Love Someone by Bryan Adams

 
 
 
This penultimate song overwhelmingly showcases Sydney's newfound, but resolute determination to follow through on his promise to Lucie and for once, act on a purpose he has. In a sense, he has not changed, as he continues to act against his own physical health and well-being, but he has found a purpose in doing so: a love worthy of his own sacrifice. The melancholy, but beautiful flute and stringed introduction to this song portray this twist on Sydney's life journey. Although he is nearing the end of his course, there is a "braced purpose in his arm and a kind of inspiration in [his] eyes, which not only contracted his light manner, but changed and raised [him]," (297).
 
When you love someone, you'll sacrifice
You'd give it everything you got and you won't think twice
You'd risk it all, no matter what may come
When you love someone
You'll shoot the moon, put out the sun
When you love someone
 
As the lyrics indicate, when you love someone, your life is no longer yours. Well for Sydney, his life never really was his own or anyone's, but now he is willing to give it away, "risk[ing] it all, no matter what may come." He remarks that "this is a desperate time, when desperate games are played for desperate stakes... and I will play the losing [game]," (298). The violin notes in the bridge emanating the victory of love are juxtaposed with a more somber final chorus, reflecting the tragic beauty of Carton's newfound purpose. The addition of Adam's raspy voice and the progressive introduction of the drums reflect the depths Carton is willing to go to in order to offer Lucie the best of life: his voice, his actions, and ultimately his life. The song says it all: "When you love someone, you'll sacrifice... everything you've got." On that note, let us take the last steps with Carton along his journey as he listens to this final rather unlikely dirge.
 

6. Harry's Sacrifice by Alexandre Desplat

This final element of the playlist begins and ends with silence: quite fitting for the character of Sydney Carton, whose role in the book is bookended with the theme of silence. But more than the first or last few seconds, the middle of the song represents how the silence turns to music, and how in the end, it is not an empty sound but a heavy silence, marking the weight of Carton's sacrifice for both Lucie's family and his own soul. This emotional instrumental ballad expresses what words, even Carton's words cannot, in the end.

After all his actions, and this music, speak louder than words ever could. For though he was unable to truly say goodbye to Lucie, Darnay, or any other character, his sacrifice to save both of their lives carries the weight of purposeful end, something Carton never would have dreamed of having prior to meeting Lucie. His end is not a fade, but a symphony of sacrificial love. The violins, after a brief period of somber silence in the middle of the song, grow to a quieter rendition of Harry's theme song until the end, and therefore are reflective of a sense of identity, an identity Carton has found in death.

He does not look at death as a tragic end to his suffering, but recognizes upon it, that he has an identity in the lives of Lucie, Darnay, and their child: a legacy that will live on. "I see that child... who bore my name as a man winning his way up in that path of life which once was mine... winning it so well that my name is made illustrious there by the light of his," (372). He has gone from a shadow to a light through the lives of those he secures in death. His final words represent the transition from invisibility and detachment to selflessness and love as the quiet beauty of this song depicts: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known." Rest well, Sydney, the ending to the playlist of your life is not a dirge of defeat, but the sound of quiet victory.

Comments

maureenosei Wed, 01/23/2019 - 01:17

I think you did a great job situating the character and the plot of novel. I have never read "A Tale of Two Cities", but the character and plot descriptions that are embedded into your character descriptions do a really good job of informing the reader. Even though I did not read the book, every song that you chose made sense because of these inclusions. I also think you did a good job incorporating both sonic and lyrical elements into your song description, designating a single paragraph to each of the elements in some cases. I also liked how you incorporated quotes from the novel into your descriptions. This helped further indicate how Sydney's characteristics and actions paralleled the lyrics and sonic elements of each of the song's chosen. Overall, I think your song choices were great and your descriptions were very in depth, allowing me to understand Sydney in greater detail than I would've by simply looking him up online.

karisprice Wed, 01/23/2019 - 05:31

You did a great job with your playlist. I haven't read this book, but I thought that you situated the character and story effectively. Each song was appropriate for the character trait you were trying to depict. Your in-depth descriptions of both sonic and vocal elements really helped the playlist to flow and showed that you really knew your character, Sydney, and took time to find the right songs. Overall, I think your playlist is really good and the only improvement I would suggest is changing fonts and font sizes so that the entire playlist lines up visually. This playlist definitely helped me understand you character.

iamdan Thu, 01/24/2019 - 20:01

I like the tone of voice taken up in the introduction. The analysis also provides great insights into Carton by going into detail about aspects of the story. The way the sonic details are linked to the character in the discussion of Waving through a Window is working quite well. The sonic discussions in general are quite strong. In some segments, you might think about whether breaking up the pattern with which you deliver the information makes sense--e.g., starting the Linkin Park segment with sonic description, or other variations in different segments. I see this happens in the last segment. In addition to possibly reworking the structure, pushing on the tone and approach of the descriptions even more to engage the reader might be helpful. I like that the analysis in spots includes first person and in other spots addresses the reader. The insights into the character and the details from the story and songs are quite strong. Playing with these strategies, distilling down the text, and experimenting with the level of formality and the prose might be a great way of highlighting them even further. Nice work.