Both Lucie Manette and Madame Defarge of A Tale
of Two Cities are flat characters; that is, they do not change throughout the
narrative. Lucie is the stereotypical Victorian heroine who swoons when she feels a
little ill. She is the idyllic heroine, virtuous and devoted to her husband and father.
Throughout the novel, Lucie acts as the "golden thread" that keeps Dr. Manette
functional and ties Sydney Carton to her as well as her devoted husband, Charles
Darnay. Thus, Lucie is a catalyst for other characters inspiring, for instance, Sydney
Carton to emerge from his dissipation to heroism. With her name meaning "light," Lucie
supplies the impetus to resist the darkness of the revolution represented by Therese
Defarge.
While Lucie Manette functions as a flat character
who acts as a catalyst for others, Therese Defarge, also a flat character, acts as
symbol of the evils brought forth by the revolution. As a result of the tragedy
involving her family who become victims of the aristocracy, Mme. Defarge vows vengenance
against the Fremch nobility, particularly the Everemondes of whom Charles Darnay is
part. A killing machine, Madame Defarge makes no distinction between the grandson of one
of the brothers who molested her sister; she feels no guilt for the Everemondes and
expects no forgiveness from others. Charged by the revolution for which she has waited,
Madame Defarge delights in the bloodlust, but Lucie Darnay is terrified by
it.
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