In Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Darnay and his lawyer, Sydney Carton, exhibit many similar and different characteristics. One of the first similarities between the two is how they both act heroically. The difference there is that Carton seems to be more of a hero than Darnay. Another similarity is their love for Lucie Manette. The problem with that arises as Darnay marries her, and Carton is too depressed to even to consider furthering a relationship with her. The last similarity is Darnay and Carton's resemblance to one another. The problem is that the resemblance makes Carton see that he could have been someone better like Darnay. As the qualities are compared and contrasted, Darnay and Carton seem to be very equal. One character is not better than the other.
             Carton and Darnay both emerge in one way or another as a hero in this story. Darnay is a hero for facing his condemnation without fear. "After a hard contest with that eccentric action of thought which had last perplexed him, he got the better of it...The worst of the strife was over." (363) As he calmed himself in his cell, he was able to settle his mind and prepare himself for what lay ahead. Carton though tops Darnay's heroic acts by being able to save Darnay's life, not once, but twice. The first time Carton spares Darnay's life is during Darnay's first court trial where he is tried for treason. Carton persuades the jury with his swift thinking. "Something especially reckless in his demeanor, not only gave him a disreputable look but so diminished the strong resemblance he undoubtedly bore to the prisoner (which his momentary earnestness, when they were compared together, had strengthened)..." (79). Because of the two's resemblance, it was able to change the jury's thoughts on Darnay. This caused Darnay to be acquitted at his trial and not to be condemned to death. The second time Darnay's life was saved was when Carton switched places with him at the end of th...