A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of Two Citie

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Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’A Tale Of Two Citie, 2010.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN MISS PROSS AND MADAME DEFARGE IN CHARLES DICKENS’A TALE OF TWO CITIES

A PAPER

BY

INDRA ISMAYUDI TANJUNG 062202063

DIPLOMA III ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LETTERS

NORTH SUMATERA UNIVERSITY

MEDAN

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Approved by

Supervisor

Drs. Siamir Marulafau, M. Hum NIP: 195805171985031003

Submitted to Faculty of Letters University of Sumatera Utara

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for DIPLOMA (D-III) in English.

Approved by

Head of Program Study

Dra. Syahyar Hanum, DPFE NIP: 195109071979022001

Approved by the Diploma III of English Study Program,

Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara

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Accepted by:

The board of examiners in partial fulfillment

Of the requirement for the Diploma III (D3) of English Department

Faculty of Letters, North Sumatera University

The examination is held on the:

Faculty of Letters North Sumatera University

DEAN

NIP 132098531

Drs. SYAIFUDDIN, M.A, Ph.D

Board of Examiner and Reader:

Examiner : Drs. Siamir Marulafau

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to thank Allah SWT the most gracious and most

merciful, who has blessed me with health from the time I have started writing this

paper until I am able to finish this paper, prayers maybe presented upon his last

prophet and messenger. Muhammad SAW.

Therefore, on this occasion, he would like to express his earnest gratitude

to all of them. First, his special thanks are addressed to Drs. Siamir Marulafau as

my supervisor for his guidance, super vision, and correction during the process of

writing this paper and Drs. Syafi’i Siregar, M.A as the reader of his paper. I also

thank to Dra. Syahyar Hanum, DPFE as the Head of English Diploma Department

and Drs. Wan Syaifuddin, M.A, Ph.D as the Dean of Faculty of Letters, North

Sumatera University. He also grateful to all of the lecturers that have lectured his

wisely during the academic years.

I would also like to express his thanks to my best friends, Deddy Lesmana,

Yoze, Rio Aryuda for their attention.

However, it is not easy to finish this paper to fulfill his satisfaction;

although I have done my best. I realized that this paper is still far from being

perfect. Therefore, any constructive criticism as well as warmly suggestion will be

welcomed and highly appreciated.

Medan, December 2009

The Writer

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ABSTRAK

Kertas karya ini berjudul A Comparison Between Miss Pross and Madame

Defarge in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities

Pada dasarnya sebuah novel mengisahkan sesuatu yang sifatnya imajinatif, baik dalam bentuk perbuatan, peristiwa ataupun kisah. Tokoh merupakan hasil rekaan penulis. Melalui tokoh penulis dapat menunjukan kualitasnya, hal yang disukai maupun yang tidak disukai kepada pembaca.

Pada novel kita dapat menemukan beberapa unsur penting. Tokoh adalah salah satu unsur terpenting yang terdapat pada film yang terbagi dari beberapa jenis dalam hal pemilihan dan pengembangan karakter.

Penulis memilih film karya Charles Dicken yang berjudul A Tale of Two

Cities karena penulis menemukan bahwa cerita dan karakter Miss Pross dan

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Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’A Tale Of

1.1 The background of study... 2

1.2 The objective of study... 2

1.3 The scope of study... 2

1.4 The method of writing... 2

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

... 3

2.1 Theory of Characterization ………. 3

2.2 Theory of Conflict... 4

2.3 The Concept of Feminism... 5

2.4 The Concept of Common Victorian Women... 7

2.5 The Definition of Love and Hate... 8

3. A COMPARISON BETWEEN MISS PROSS AND MADAME

DEFARGE IN CHARLES DICKENS A TALE OF TWO

CITIES

………. 9

3.1 The Similarity Between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge………... 9

3.1.1 Miss Pross Who Steps Ahead of Her Time………... 10

3.1.2 Madame Defarge Who Steps Ahead of Time………... 13

3.2 The Difference Between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge... 18

3.2.1 Miss Pross as the Representative of Love ……… 19

3.2.2 Madame Defarge as the Representative of Hate……… 23

4. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

... 30

4.1 Conclusions... 30

4.2 Suggestions... 30

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The Background of Study

Charles Dickens' work titled A Tale of Two Cities is different from other

Dickens' works because it seems to give another theme indirectly, that behind the

condition of France Revolution at that time, there is a story about human life among

the main characters. I see that through the riot that happens in France and England,

there are strong friendship, hatred, family relation and heroic self-sacrifice.

Moreover, it seems that Dickens shows his other side through this novel related to

his own life and point of view indirectly about women at that time. It is different

from Dickens' other works because Dickens seems to show different kind of female

characters in this novel, which can be seen in the characters of Miss Pross and

Madame Defarge.

I choose the comparison between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge as the

topic. Here, I find that both of them have a similarity that differentiates them from

the common women. However, I also notice that these two female characters also

seem to have a difference. Talking about the similarity, I view that the similarity

between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge are in their characteristics, which are

different from the common women and therefore, they are considered as women

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1.2. The Objective of Study

Through this paper, I want to discuss and to find the particular

characteristics of Miss Pross and Madame Defarge which make them similar and

different one from another.

1.3. The Scope of Study

The scope of this study is defined under the discussion on the comparison

between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge, that reveals to the particular similarity

and difference characteristics of these female characters. I want to limit the

discussion on the two female characters namely Madame Therese Defarge and Miss

Pross.

1.4. The Method of Writing

In researching the data and analyzing the novel, I use library research, and

includes A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens as the primary data. In order to

collect data, information and sources to support the analysis, I also takes notes,

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2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

It is important to provide theories that will be used in the analysis. In

chapter II, I discuss some related theories, which are useful to analyze the topic.

In understanding and analyzing the topic, I use literary theory of characterization

and theory of conflict. Finally, the concept of Feminism, the concept of common

women, and the definition of love and hate are also used as the supporting

theories.

2.1. Theory of Characterization

As one of the most important aspects in a novel, a character can be as

interesting as plot to be analyzed. Characterization is the technique used to

portray clear images of a person or character in the story. In understanding the

theory of characterization, it is important to know what the definition of a

character is. Character is the person in a novel, which referred to as characters.

The role and the quality of a character are expressed through his or her

performance, behavior, feeling, emotion, principle, the way she thinks and speaks,

and also the other's comment about this certain character. The technique which

is used to analyze the points above is called Dramatic Technique, which is a

technique of describing the character indirectly and explicitly. In this technique,

the certain characters explain and describe themselves by doing various activities,

through various verbal actions, non - verbal actions and the events that happen

and influence their life. They can also be described through their physical

appearance and the conversations that happen in the novel (how other characters

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This theory is related to the concept of common women, in order to show that

Miss Pross and Madame Defarge actually step ahead of their time. Later, their

existence as women who step ahead of their time is considered as the similarity,

which exists in the characters of these two female characters in A Tale of Two

Cities. Furthermore, this theory can also help to show the difference that exists in

these two female characters, that actually Miss Pross and Madame Defarge

represent two different things in A Tale of Two Cities, which are love and hate.

2.2. Theory of Conflict

Conflict is any important event or moment, which is defined into essential

element in developing the plot. In 1995, Hornby utters that conflict also means a

serious disagreement or argument, or a serious difference of opinions. It happens

in the characters and reveals to something negative. A story will be more

interesting if there is a conflict, which improves the plot. An event in human life

can be considered to be a story if there is conflict, a sensational and dramatic

problem, which makes stories become interesting.

Jones (1958) also defines social conflict as a conflict that happens

between humans because of the problem arises in the relationship of human

beings. Meanwhile, internal conflict is a conflict that happens inside the person

himself.

I try to recognize more about the conflict that happens between Miss

Pross and Madame Defarge, in order to support the theory of characterization

and add more details to these two female characters. This theory of conflict is

expected to prove that through their conflict, the characters of Miss Pross and

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to act differently from the common women. Later, this theory can help to show

the difference that exists in this two female characters, that through their conflict,

the characters of Miss Pross and Madame Defarge actually represent two

different things in A Tale of Two Cities, which are love and hate.

2.3. The Concept of Feminism

Women's studies have concept and method that women are

gender-neutral, as long as they do not make assumptions that reflect a focus on man's

reality only. Meanwhile, the term of Feminism means a movement seeking the

reorganization of the world upon a basis of sex-equality in all human relations; a

movement which would reject every differentiation between individuals upon

the ground of sex, would abolish all sex privileges and sex burdens, and would

strive to set up the recognition of the common humanity of woman and man as

the foundation of law and custom (Ruth, 1995, p. 5). The feminists believe that

the quality of human beings (included women) must not be judged in the terms of

the gender. According to Ruth (1995), Feminists tend to reject both the practice

of separating human qualities into two categories-one of them for men and one

for women and the valuing of one of those categories above the other. Feminists

recognize that all such characteristics of masculine and feminine may appear in

either sex.

Those Feminism points of view above have just been recognized in

1960s. However, as Gorham (1982) informs, it is believed that Victorian era has

become the starting point of the feminist movement, especially during mid-

Victorian period. The first reason was because there was consideration of the

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likely to be kept out from the public to do domestic sphere of home and family

and women's work. The activities done by men were considered more important.

The next reason of the existence of feminism or women's study was because of

the misconception about humans, particularly about women. There have been

many misconceptions about women's bodies, mental capacities, activities and

achievement, compared with the concept of men who control everything. This

misconception has been widely recognized in the society. Society influences deep

matters of behavior, personality and intellect.

Because of the missing information and the misconception about women,

the feminists then try to "correct" the point of view about women among the

society. The feminist perspective looks at many similarities between the sexes

and concludes that women and men have equal potential for their individual

development. It means that feminists have tried to raise the status of women and

to see that women also have the same potential like men have. Feminism tries to

create new women, who are different from the traditional women. In this case,

some women who are considered to step ahead of their time may be the examples

of what the feminists call "'new women".

I use of the concept of feminism only as a supporting concept in order to

recognize that there has been a little bit of aspiration of Feminist idea inside the

characteristics of Miss Pross and Madame Defarge as two women who step ahead

of their time. That also may prove that even though the concept of Feminism has

just recognized broadly in 1960s, probably some women at that time has begun

to think and to realize, that women are not merely considered as "inferior" human

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2.4. The Concept of Common Victorian Women

In 19th century, the image of ideal women had been fixed in the society.

First, a woman was considered to be normal if they got married (and they did

expect to do it). She wished to settle down with her husband and made a home

together. She decorated the house and cared for the children (a woman surely

was expected to give birth children). Gorsky (1992) gives information that a man

wanted his woman pure, charming, sympathetic, domestic, self-sacrificing,

subservient or gives much respect, to be an "Angel of the House". Men really

appreciated and praised obedient, submissive, helpless and innocent women.

Even in facing the facet of sick and dying, the women at that time took

responsibility for nursing with little medicine and no training. They faced the

death with sentimental, domestic and religious feeling.

In this paper, I use the concept of the common Victorian women in order

to show the different characters that Miss Pross and Madame Defarge have in

Charles Dickens’ A Talc of Two Cities. Their different characters, which are

different from the general women at that time, may explain that Miss Pross and

Madame Defarge actually step ahead of their time. It seems that these two female

characters break the old norms bravely and dare to improve themselves as human

being who have the same position and right with men.

2.5. The Definition of Love and Hate

Because of the complexity of these two strong feelings in human life, love

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action and a practical human power, which can only exist in the freedom of

human life. He also stated that only a productive person who can experience love,

since giving is the highest expression of the potentiality inside of her self. For

Fromm, by giving, this woman also feels that she has richness to give to others

and therefore, she feels the happiness in her life. Meanwhile, according to Albin

(1983), hate is a kind of emotion that becomes the opposite of love. Smedes

(19S4) also states that hate can happen because of the condition in which certain

people hurt her and therefore, she feels that she has the right to hate them. Many

people experience an aggressive hatred, which Smedes (1984) confirms as a kind

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3. A COMPARISON BETWEEN MISS PROSS AND MADAME

DEFARGE IN CHARLES DICKENS’ A TALE OF TWO CITIES

In this chapter, I analyze the characteristics of the two female characters

namely Miss Pross and Madame Defarge, in order to find out the similarity and the

difference between these two female characters. I try to show that these women

have the similarity in term of their existence as women who step ahead of their

time. Furthermore, I also analyze that these women also have their difference,

which is their existence as two characters who represent two different things in A

Tale Of Two Cities: love and hate. This chapter is divided into two sub chapters.

The First sub chapter is about the similarity between Miss Pross and Madame

Defarge as two women. Meanwhile, the second sub chapter is about the difference

between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities.

3.1. The Similarity Between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge

In this novel, the two female characters namely Miss Pross and Madame

Defarge have their own unique characteristics. Miss Pross can be considered as the

protagonist, meanwhile Madame Defarge can be viewed as the antagonist.

However, these two women have a kind of similarity. Miss Pross and Madame

Defarge can be considered as women who step ahead of their time. In the novel,

Miss Pross is pictured as a woman whose manner and attitude are different

compared with the common women at that time. She is also pictured as a woman

who has a spirit of a liberated woman, a kind of spirit which was not owned by the

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find out the similarity that exists in themselves, which are to be the women who

step ahead of their time.

3.1.1. Miss Pross Who Steps Ahead of Her Time.

In A Tale of Two Cities, Miss Pross can be considered to step ahead of her

time because of her manner, which are quite different from the common women.

In 1992, Gorsky states that in the early period, the ideal of the Perfect Lady, the

genteel ornament of feminine innocence, gave way to the Perfect Woman, the

polite confirmation of moral virtue, symbolic goddess of the very small universe

of the private home. However, Miss Pross' manner is not really appropriate with

the society point of view about what a woman should be. In A Tale of Two Cities,

Dickens portrays Miss Pross as a housekeeper who has a masculine manner and

attitude. Even though most of the housekeepers are only considered as minor

characters in society and literature world, but they are usually pictured as a

woman who has a gentle manner and attitude since they take care of home and

the family, and they have to deal with feeling in doing their duties. The different

manner and attitude of Miss Pross can be seen in the following description:

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The different manner of Miss Pross is also stated directly by Mr. Lorry,

when Miss Pross lays her strong hand upon his chest and sends him back against

the nearest wall. The masculine manner of Miss Pross makes Mr. Lorry states:

“I really think this must be a man!’ was Mr. Lorry's breathless reflection, simultaneously with his coming against the wall”

(p. 22)

Miss Pross as a new woman who steps ahead of her time because she

seems to have a spirit of a liberated woman. According to the legal norms. Miss

Pross should realize her "common" existence in the society and therefore, obey

the rule. She should be a "good" woman and consider her duty. A "good" woman

is a woman who is suitable with the traditional rule in the society. She has to be a

submissive woman, who realizes her inferiority compared with man and then

acknowledges her best role as a wife and a mother. She has to be the master of her

home only. A "good" woman should not decide what she is going to be and what

she is going to do, because her faith as an inferior person has decided her inferior

role in the society. However, Miss Pross may understand that the traditional rule

is not always suitable for her. Her awareness seems to release her from the

compulsiveness of traditional role. It seems that she is aware that she has her

own right to choose her own way to be a common woman, that a woman should

face the difficulties in her life with her own strength. As a woman, she has her

own freedom of choice. In the novel, Miss Pross' freedom is reflected in the way

she lives and acts.

First, Miss Pross chooses to remain single and to earn money by herself.

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aware, that her role as a woman can be achieved by being an independent woman

who works as a servant. Since she is not married, she dares to work to earn money

for herself, although it is not common for the women at that time to work, since

they depend on their husbands to earn the money for living. Even though she

becomes a servant, Miss Pross feels free to serve Lucie Manette as the one whom

she loves very much, like what the next quotation states:

“I have lived with the darling-or the darling has lived with me, and paid me for it; which she certainly should never have done,...” (p. 76)

In brief, her existence as a single woman, who is able to earn money for

her own living. Miss Pross actually can be considered as a woman who steps

ahead of her time.

Second, Miss Pross is also aware of her freedom in facing the difficulties,

which reveals her to be a loyal person. Miss Pross is aware of her own choice to

defend the other person's life with her own strength. She feels free to have her

own choice, to face the problem with her own way. A perfect example of her

characteristic as a liberated woman is performed when Miss Pross has to face

Madame Defarge who wants to kill Lucie Manette, just like what I quote here:

“and I was an English four poster, they shouldn’t loose a splinter of me. No, you wicked foreign woman; I am your match.” (p. 299)

Miss Pross may be aware that she faces a cruel and strong woman, but

she chooses to stay there and fight against Madame Defarge so Lucie Manette

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lose her hearing in her battle against Madame Defarge. Miss Pross does not seem

to care about herself. Once, she says these words to Madame Defarge :

“I know that the longer I keep you here, the greater hope there is for my Ladybird. I'll not leave a handful of that dark hair upon your head, if you lay a finger on me!” (p. 299)

The quotation may reflect her awareness in doing her action. It seems that

Miss Pross feels that she has her own freedom and belief, that there's no other

thing that can stop her from her own decision, and it means. Miss Pross decides

to keep on defending the person whom she loves, whatever the risk is.

3.1.2. Madame Defarge Who Steps Ahead of Time

In A Tale of Two Cities, Madame Defarge is considered as a woman who

steps ahead of her time since she has a spirit as a liberated woman, a woman who

is aware of the choices open to her. Madame Defarge's spirit as a liberated

woman can be seen in some of her action and thought in her life. Madame

Defarge's hard childhood and the unfairness of her present life motivate her will

to have revenge. Therefore, it has leaded her to some thought that actually there

are some choices in front of her to do anything she wants in having the revenge.

In this novel, it seems that Madame Defarge has realized that she has freedom to

choose her own way in defending her family honour, which is by having the

revenge. Although she seems to be possessed by the hatred, Madame Defarge is

still free in term of her decision, whether she will keep on having the revenge or

nol. Furthermore, she is free to decide that she will keep on having the revenge,

no mailer how long it will take time. Madame Defarge never thinks to give up.

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and think, it seems that Madame Defarge never gives up in her belief that

somehow she has to get her achievement, something that she trusts. For her, she

has her own freedom to have her role as a woman who defends the honour of her

family. When the common women seem to be dependent, Madame Defarge is

surely different from those women: She is independent. She does not seem to be

afraid of what may happen to her, in the process of having the revenge. For her,

nothing can slop her freedom in defending the pride of her family. Once she

states :

“Then tell the wind and fire where to stop,” returned madame; “but don't tell me.” (p. 278)

Beside her rude characterislics, Madame Defarge actually has already had

her own faith and trust, a kind of achievement in her life: to defend the pride and

honour of her family. For Madame Defarge, neither time nor feelings of pity can

quench her will. She is aware, that she has to be very patient, waiting for the right

time to have the revenge. For her, preparation is important although it takes a

long time, and il is the only way to get the revenge. In her patience, she believes

that soon the time will come, and she can have her revenge satisfactorily. The

following conversation between Madame Defarge and her husband may support

the explanation above :

“Well, then,” said Defarge, as if a thought were wrung out of his breast, “it is a long time.”

“It is a long time,” repeated his wife; “and when is it not a long time? Vengeance and retribution require a long time; it is the rule.”

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“How long,” demanded madame, composedly, “does it take to make and store the lightning? Tell me.”

Defarge raised his head thoughtfully, as if there were something in that too.

“It does not take a long time,” said madame, “For an earthquake to swallow a town. Eh well! Tell me how long it takes to prepare the earthquake?”

“A long time, I supposed,” said Defarge.

“But when it is ready, it takes place, and grinds to pieces everything before it. In the meantime, it is always preparing, though it is not seen or heard. That is your consolation. Keep it.” (p. 144)

Women can be in the same degree of choice that men have. The women

may be submissive and truly gentle. However, it seems that Madame Defarge has

proved that woman has the same ability and chance with the men, that woman

has her own freedom to have her right and choice in life, her own way to express

her will, just like this quotation states :

“ To me, women!” cried madame his wife. “What! We can kill as well as the men when the place is taken! “ (p. 174).

Madame Defarge's thought may be reflected through the quotation. She

can and will do anything to get her achievement: to do her revenge. Madame

Defarge thinks that although she is a woman, she is also aware of the chance that

is offered to her in her life, that she is free to do what she wants to do with her

great ability, even though she is only a woman.

Finally, Madame Defarge's existence as a woman who seems to dominate

can reveal to her consideration as a woman who steps ahead of her time. In 1992,

Gorsky states that "the common knowledge said women lacked men's physical,

intellectual, and moral strength" (p. 27). That's why the society believes that a

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and his words are absolute. However, I see Madame Defarge as a different

woman. Besides her different appearance, she is also different in role and

position. Dickens seems to perform Madame Defarge as a dominant woman in A

Tale of Two Cities, especially when she joins the revolution as the leader among

the marginal women, and when she acts as a housewife.

In brief, her environment in the past and present has helped her to create

her as a woman who seems to dominate in society and in home, to be a strong

woman who has a strong thought and faith in doing something. Her suffering in

her childhood and the unfairness in her present life in French have created her as

a woman who is motivated to defend herself and her society in order to find a

better condition of living. The tragic death of her family has been the strongest

motivation in having the revenge toward the Aristocracy. Because of her strong

motivation in defending the honour of her family and the marginal society,

Madame Defarge is believed to lead the women, together with her husband in

having French Revolution. In the novel, she is believed to lead the women in

having the revolution. Once, she stated :

“I go,” said madame, “with you at present. You shall see me at the head of women, by-and-by.” (p. 174).

From the quotation, she has her own self-confidence in leading the

women in the revolution. It is true that Monsieur Defarge, her husband, is a great

revolutionary, who becomes the center of the revolution. However, Madame

Defarge becomes the real motivator and supporter of her husband and the

marginal society in having the revolution. Her dominant role does not seem to

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weaker, since he does not really believe that the revolution will be done

successfully.

Even though Madame Defarge is a married woman, it seems that her role

is showed more than her husband, even in their home. Madame Defarge's

dominant role among the women in the revolution seems to influence some of

her role as a housewife. Considering their superiority, men expect to work hard

and reap the benefits, and they expect women to remain inside the home. Woman

who has suffered when she was a child, Madame Defarge has been motivated and

influenced to be a hard worker and an independent woman. It seems that she

keeps on doing her job as a caring wife toward her husband, but she also

performs herself as a great woman who can do every duty by her own effort. The

quotation below may show that Madame Defarge seems to dominale her

husband's job by being a dutiful wife :

They turned into the wine shop, which was closed (for it was midnight) and where Madame Defarge immediately look her post at her desk, counted the small moneys that had been taken during her absence, examined the stock, went through the entries in the book, made other entries of her own, checked the serving man in every possible way, and finally dismissed him to bed. Then she turned out the contents of the bowl of money for the second time, and began knotting them up in her handkerchief, in a chain of separate knots, for safe keeping through the night. All this while, Defarge, with his pipe in his mouth, walked up and down, complacently admiring, but never interfering; (p. 143)

The quotation above can be a good example of Madame Defarge's

character as a dominant wife, where she seems to manage the business of the

wine shop, while her husband does not try to interfere her at all. Probably, her

strong characteristics have motivated her in doing her duly directly. Because of

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Defarge seems to have a strong acknowledgement that his wife is not just a

common woman, but a strong woman that even stronger than himself, as the

following quotation states:

Her husband smoked at his door, looking after her with admiration. “A great woman,” said he, “strong woman, a grand woman, a frightfully grand woman!" (p. 150)

3.2. The Difference Between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge

Dickens surely has several messages in A Tale of Two Cities and one of

the messages is related to love and hale, that somehow love and hate always

appear in the human life, in every way. It seems that Dickens wants to show the

theme of love and hate indirectly and through a representative. Although Miss

Pross and Madame Defarge have similarity (by being women who step ahead of

their time), both of them can also be considered as the representalive of two

different feelings that exist in every human, which are love and hate.

3.2.1. Miss Pross as the Representative of Love.

In A Tale of Two Cities, the character of Miss Pross seems to be the

representative of love. As a person who has a spirit of liberated woman, surely

Miss Pross is aware of her own freedom in her life. Miss Pross has an ability to

raise her strong feeling of love. Whether she is conscious or not. Miss Pross'

actions and speeches may be based on love, a strong feeling that comes from her

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First, Miss Pross has lots of love for her brother Solomon. As a single

woman, she has a lot of love to give and therefore, she feels a deep sisterly love

toward her brother. Even though her brother has left her and taken all of her

money, she does not hate him. She just cannot understand her brother's attitude

toward her. This disappointment happens because women believe that loving and

caring are two important things in their life, which are considered as the function

that must be owned by a woman. However, Miss Pross never stops loving her

brother Solomon. Her grievance in the quotation below seems to express how

much she loves Solomon and how she cannot understand his cruel attitudes

toward her when Solomon says something rude toward her in their first meeting

after the long separalion :

“The gracious and merciful Heavens forbid!” cried Miss Pross. “Far rather would I never see you again, dear Solomon, though I have ever loved you truly, and never shall. Say but one affectionate word to me, and tell me there is nothing angry or estranged between us, and I will detain you no longer.” (p. 241)

In this novel, Miss Pross loves Solomon so much that she thinks to give

every good thing to him. A good example of this explanation can be seen from

the next quotation, which shows that Miss Pross is actually eager to match Lucie

Manette and Solomon to be husband and wife, since Miss Pross loves both of

them. Once, when Miss Pross feels jealous about the attention that is gotten by

Lucie Manette from her father and other men. Miss Pross states :

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Second, most of Miss Pross' love is given to Lucie Manette, the one

whom she also cares about. Miss Pross is aware to give all of her love and care

for Lucie Manette. One of the examples of her love and care toward Lucie

Manette is pictured in how she treats her physically:

Miss Pross was a pleasant sight, albeit wild, and red, and grim, taking off her darling's bonnet when she came upstairs, and touching it up with the ends of her handkerchief, and blowing the dust off it, and folding her mantle ready for laying by, and smoothing her rich hair with as much pride as she could possibly have taken in her own hair if she had been the vainest and handsomest of women, (p. 79)

Her love brings positive result toward others' life, especially toward Dr.

Manette's and Lucie Manette's own life. Miss Pross' love toward Lucie Manette

has brought some affection toward her father, Dr. Manette. It is proved by her

will to help the recovery of Dr. Manette, when he suddenly gets amnesia after the

wedding of his daughter. The statement may be explained by the following

quotation :

“Miss Pross and he divided the night into two watches, and observed him at intervals from the adjoining room.” (p. 159)

However, it is obvious that most of Miss Pross' love brings positive

result toward the life of Lucie Manette. Miss Pross has taken care of Lucie

Manette as if she was her own daughter, and she has been Lucie Manette's loyal

servant in her life. She may feel that Lucie Manette has been the part of her life.

Here, all of Miss Pross' actions and treatments toward Lucie Manette are done

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seeks for other's happiness. It seems that all of Miss Pross’ actions always come

back to love. The most perfect proof of Miss Pross’ love toward Lucie Manette

is pictured when she decides to fight with Madame Defarge in order to protect

Lucie Manette and her family from being killed. Miss Pross has some potential in

herself, something to give to other people. Even though she is a woman, she may

feel that she can give something from herself toward the person whom she loves

so much. When Madame Defarge comes and looks for Lucie Manette, Miss Pross

knows that she must do something to protect her. Miss Pross feels afraid, since it

is a big decision, which has to be taken. That is why she seems to be anxious

when she decides to stay in home, waiting for the right moment to face Madame

Defarge, as the following quotation states :

Afraid, in her extreme perturbation, of the loneliness of the deserted rooms, and of half-imagined faces peeping from behind every open door in them. Miss Pross got a basin of cold water and began laving her eyes, which were swollen and red. Haunted by her feverish apprehensions, she could not bear to have her sight obscured for a minute at a time by dripping water, but constantly paused and looked around to see that there was no one watching her. (p. 298)

However, Miss Pross then decides to face Madame Defarge by herself, so

Lucie Manette and her family can escape themselves. As a person who has a

spirit of a liberated woman, it seems that Miss Pross is aware that she somehow

has two choices, to leave or to face Madame Defarge in order to protect Lucie

Manette's life. Here, it is obvious that actually Miss Pross has a kind of inner

conflict deep in her heart and mind. However, because of Miss Pross'

consideration as a woman who can be productive and can give herself for the

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liberated woman, Miss Pross has got her own choice consciously. Miss Pross’

decision to slay and fight against Madame Defarge is the proof of her love

toward Lucie Manette and her family. Miss Pross' great love seems to turn her lo

be a brave woman and therefore, she decides to take the risk. The quolation

below may explain Miss Pross' will lo stay al the house, in order lo keep

Madame Defarge there:

“I am doubtful,” said Mr. Cruncher, hesitating and shaking his head, “about leaving of you, you see. We don't know what may happen.”

“Heaven knows we don't,” returned Miss Pross, “but have no fear of me. Take me in at the cathedral, at three o'clock, or as near it as you can, and I am sure it will be better than our going from here. I feel certain of it. There! Bless you, Mr. Cruncher! Think-not of me, but of the lives that may depend on both of us!” (p. 298)

Miss Pross' decision lo be there and to face Madame Defarge seems to be

her fixed choice, as the following quotation stales :

“I know that the longer I keep you here, the greater hope there is for my Ladybird. I'll not leave a handful of that dark hair upon your head, if you lay a finger on me!” (p. 299-300)

Miss Pross realizes her pure love for Lucie Manette, she seems to give all

of her life to her. The external conflict that happens between Miss Pross and

Madame Defarge seems to be the most perfect example about how Miss Pross

represenls love, that she somehow sacrifices herself for the sake of Lucie Manette

and her family. Miss Pross does not seem to pay much attention toward her own

life and then decides to Fight against Madame Defarge, in order to save Lucie's

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Madame Defarge made at the door. Miss Pross, on the instinct of the momenl, seized her round the waist in both her arms, and held her tight. It was in vain for Madame Defarge to struggle and to slrike; Miss Pross, with the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger lhan hate, clasped her tight, and even lifted her from the floor in the struggle then they had. The two hands of Madame Defarge buffeted and tore her face- but. Miss Pross, with her head down, held her round the waist, and clung to her with more than the hold of a drowning woman. (p. 300)

Miss Pross has become the representative of love, since she does several

actions based on love. Moreover, it is also clear that Miss Pross' love can bring

positive result toward the others. Even though Miss Pross has to lose her hearing

after having the struggle, her sacrifice has given great contribution toward the

life of others. All of her actions always come back to a strong feeling called love.

3.2.2. Madame Defarge as the Representative of Hate.

In A Tale of Two Cities, Madame Defarge can also be considered as the

representative of hate. For the thesis writer, her character may represent hate. As a

woman who has a spirit of a liberated woman, Madame Defarge chooses to wait

for the right moment to have the revenge toward the people whom she hates. In

the novel, I consider that there are at least 3 people whom she hates so much. The

first person is the Evremonde brothers. Madame Defarge hates them for they

have caused the tragic death of her family. Madame Defarge feels that the

Evremonde brothers are responsible for the death of her family. She feels that

they deserve to be hated. As the result, Madame Defarge never thinks about

giving up her plan of having revenge, since her haired has become a part of her

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Evremonde brothers and tells the exact reason why she does not want to remove

her revenge plan from her mind :

‘I communicate to him that secret. I smite this bosom with these two hands as a smite it now, and I tell him, “Defarge, I was brought up among the fishermen of the sea-shore, and that peasant family so injured by the two Evrémonde brothers, as that Bastille paper describes, is my family. Defarge, that sister of the mortally wounded boy upon the ground was my sister, that husband was my sister’s husband, that unborn child was their child, that brother was my brother, that father was my father, those dead are my dead, and that summons to answer for those things descends to me!” Ask him, is that so.’ (p. 277-278)

It is obvious that Madame Defarge's willingness to have the revenge is

caused by her great hatred toward the Evremonde brothers. All of Madame

Defarge' s heart and mind seem to be covered by hatred only.

The second person whom she hates is every member of the Aristocracy.

In the novel, Madame Defarge is shown to have a purpose to harm them cruelly.

This may happen since the Evremonde brothers come from the Aristocracy.

Therefore, she may have the negative stereotype toward this noble class. It also

happens since the aristocrats have done some cruel and unfair treatment toward

the marginal society at that time (therefore, the French revolution arises). Her

hatred seems to support Madame Defarge to lead the women in French

revolution, to fight against and kill the aristocrats. Madame Defarge has her own

self - confidence in reaching her achievement, to have the revenge. All of

Madame Defarge's self confidence in getting her achievement reveals to her

great hatred toward the members of aristocracy. Moreover, she also seems to feel

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the explanation, Madame Defarge actually experiences an aggressive hatred. In

the novel, Madame Defarge seems to experience this aggressive hatred and to

have her own way to have the revenge cruelly. Since Madame Defarge is

motivated by her hatred, she seems to have her own way to persuade people

indirectly to follow her plan and to show that the revolution is merely done for the

sake of the marginal people. In the novel, Madame Defarge also tends to have the

revenge cruelly toward the members of aristocracy, as the following quotation

states:

“If you were shown a great heap of dolls, and were set upon them to luck them to pieces and despoil them for your own advantage, you would pick out the richest and gayest. Say! Would you not?” “Truly yes, madame.”

“Yes. And if you were shown a flock of birds, unable to fly, and were set upon them to strip them of their feathers for your own advantage, you would set upon the birds of the finest feathers; would you not?”

“It is true, madame.” (p. 141)

In the novel, since Madame Defarge is influenced by her aggressive

hatred, she is also motivated to harm the Aristocrats, although probably these

members of Aristocracy do not suffer her directly. That one of the reasons why

Madame Defarge tends to harm the aristocrats is because the Evremonde

brothers (who cause the tragic death of her family) belong to this noble class.

Madame Defarge's tendency to have the revenge cruelly toward the members of

aristocracy, can be read in the following quotation:

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his destination, and began to be struck at from behind; remained immovable close to him when the long gathering rain of stabs and blows fell heavy; was so close to him when he dropped dead under it, that, suddenly animated, she put her foot under his neck, and with her cruel knife-long ready-hewed off his head. (p. 178)

Here, her willingness and patience to have the revenge toward the

aristocracy reveal her great hatred. The way she plans the revenge and the cruel

treatment toward the people whom she hates may prove that haired actually has

controlled her.

The third person whom Madame Defarge hates is every person who has a

family relationship with the Evremonde brothers. In the novel, the only

descendant of the Evremonde brothers is Charles Darnay. Since Madame Defarge

cannot express her anger and hatred toward the Evremonde brothers (since they

have already been dead), Madame Defarge tends to hate their descendant. After

such a long time, Madame Defarge cannot even forget the tragic death of her

family. She also cannot erase the will to have the revenge. The only reason why

Madame Defarge cannot forget or forgive the action which has been done by the

Evremonde brothers (although they have already been dead) is because her

hatred has controlled all of her heart and mind. Madame Defarge's hatred is too

big to be removed from her mind and heart. There seems to be the only hatred

and the will to have revenge inside Madame Defarge's heart and mind. Since the

Evremonde brothers have already been dead, Madame Defarge decides to have

the revenge toward their descendants. Madame Defarge tends to turn Charles

Darnay to be the scapegoat who deserves to get the punishment, which actually

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does not seem to be satisfied by the death of Charles Darnay only. She feels that

it is better to have the revenge toward his family, too. It is Madame Defarge's

purpose to kill all of the Evremonde family, although they do not know anything

about the Evremonde brothers' crime in the past time. Madame Defarge's strong

wish to kill Charles Darnay and his family prove that she has a kind of strong

hatred deep inside herself. Her hatred even becomes greater and it seems to

influence Madame Defarge. The following quotation may explain how Madame

Defarge really wants the death of Charles Darnay and his family, when she says :

“I care nothing for this Doctor, I. He may wear his head or lose it, for any interest I have in him; it is all one to me. But, the Evremonde people are to be exterminated, and the wife and child must follow the husband and father.” (p. 292).

Madame Defarge's hatred also influences her will to kill everyone who

prevents her to have her revenge. In this case. Miss Pross becomes the one whom

Madame Defarge wants to kill since Miss Pross tries to keep her still in the house,

when Lucie Manette and her child escape themselves from that place. Here, the

hatred really influences Madame Defarge and therefore, it motivates her to kill

Miss Pross as well. Once, Madame Defarge states her anger and will to kill Miss

Pross, who tries to prevent her from killing Lucie Manette and her family. She

says :

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Here, Madame Defarge's will to have a revenge toward Charles Darnay

and his family is caused by her deep hatred.

At the end of the novel, Madame Defarge's conflict with Miss Pross

seems to be the final scene that determines whether Madame Defarge can have

the revenge successfully or not. The novel seems to picture directly that the

conflict which happens between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge seems to be

the final fight between love and hate, as the following quotation state:

Miss Pross, on the instinct of the moment, seized her round the waist in both her arms, and held her tight. It was in vain for Madame Defarge to struggle and to strike; Miss Pross, wit the vigorous tenacity of love, always so much stronger than hate, clasped her tight, and even lifted her from the floor in the struggle that they had. (p. 300)

One thing that Madame Defarge does not know may be the negative

effect of her hatred and revenge toward herself. She is not aware that her hatred

has controlled her and someday will crush her. It seems that there is only a will

to have revenge in her mind and heart, but she does not think the possible effect

that she may get. At the end, her hatred seems to kill herself. The final struggle is

ended by the death of Madame Defarge at the hand of Miss Pross, as the

quotation below states:

Madame Defarge’s hands were at her bosom. Miss Pross looked up, saw what it was, struck at it, struck out a flash and a crash, and stood alone-blinded with smoke.

All this was in a second. As the smoke cleared, leaving an awful stillness, it passed out on the air, like the soul of the furious woman whose body lay lifeless on the ground.

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Here, through her characteristics, Madame Defarge actually can be

considered as the representative of hate, since she does several actions based on

hate. It is obvious that Madame Defarge's hate only brings negative result

toward other people and also toward herself. It is proved since Madame Defarge,

as the representative of hate, is defeated by love, which is represented by Miss

Pross. It seems that Dickens has an implicit message in A Tale of Two Cities, that

love somehow is stronger than hate.

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4. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS

4.1 CONCLUSION

From the discussion in the previous chapter, I would like to conclude:

• Miss Pross and Madame Defarge have similarity in their characteristics, that

they actually step ahead of their time

• Miss Pross and Madame Defarge actually represent two different things in

human life, two strong feelings that exist in every human being: love and

hate.

4.2

Suggestion

After analyzing A Tale of Two Cities, I would hope that the readers and

audiences can more clearly understand about the character and who has not read

the novel will interested. This paper also can be as a guide to other students in

analyzing other literary works especially novel. I would hope that other students

can analyze A Tale of Two Cities novel from other elements of literary works,

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