Character+Analysis-Madame+Defarge

Madame Defarge

Madame Defarge embodies the bloodthirsty, homicidal ferver of the revolutionaries who Dickens uses to symbolize the reoccurring themes of hatred, mercy and vengeance.

Madame Defarge appears to be a composed individual who is actually twisted with evil because of atrocities done to her family by the nobles. Dickens chooses for her to never reveal her thoughts, keeping very quiet unless it's the heat of battle. He adds to her mystery and darkness by choosing to depict her as a woman of few words. She is constantly "knitting away assiduously''(138). In her knitting, she keeps record of all of the aristocrats that should be slaughtered. Dickens depicts her as always planning death and revenge as she has no pity or remorse. She would destroy any man, woman, or child for the cause of the revolution which she has warped into decimating all of the nobles, innocent or not. Dickens also often accompanies her with the presence of shadows to add to her dark demeanor and villainous nature. She has a "stony manner" similar to the Marquis who is described earlier (207). Madame Defarge cannot change and is incapable of feeling emotions unrelated to rage. Even in the face of pure good (Lucie), she cannot feel an ounce of sympathy. Dickens uses her to portray the opposite of mercy, and that some are unable to grant any. She wears a "mask of perfect composure" that hiders her cruelty and wickedness (207). Dickens compares the Marquis and Madame Defarge as being extremely similar, as he is one of the people Madame Defarge hates most. She ends up following in his footsteps, turning into the definition of evil. Dickens doesn't try to take a side of the nobles or revolutionaries, but stresses they are both wrong. Although she often appears calm, Dickens lets the reader know it's merely a trick to hide her wicked grin of bloodthirsty motives. Her husband refers to her as a "great woman... a strong woman, a grand woman, a frightfully grand woman"(143). It's almost as if the Harry Potter series alluded to this when Olivander remarks that Voldemort was a great wizard that did terrible, but great things. Dickens is trying to make a distinction between people of immense (great) power and good-hearted people. Madame Defarge represents the antithesis of the kind, warm Lucie. Lucie embodies purity and innocence, but Madame Defarge represents bitterness and fury. Lucie is terrifed of her, believing "the dreaful woman seems to throw a shadow on [her]" (208). This foreshadows Madame Defarge's potential threat to Lucie's happiness and her life. Lucie is kind and forgiving whereas Madame Defarge is cold and merciless. She has an unquenacble thirst for vengeance. Even her best friend goes by the title "The Vengeance", and they are inseparable. However, just like every story, the chaotic villian must die as Madame Defarge will most likely be the cause of her own demise due to her failed morals and blackened heart.

Dickens uses Madame Defarge as a plausible extreme that can happen in a time of chaos. However, when someone becomes too extreme and is incapable of chance, than they must die. The odd thing about her death is that she isn;t accompanied by the vengeance. The definition of vengeance is punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong. However, Defarge had no right to kill Lucie, who isn;t related to the Evremondes, and who has committed no wrong. When she tries to kill the symbol of light and hope, it actually has to be her who dies. Madame Defarge has no vengeance for this act because there is no justice for it. it is an empty vengeance. Dickens chooses for her to die by her own gun to stress the importance of the consequences from actions. Although he proves sympathy for her character, he never chooses to acknowledge she is ever in the right. The quote i best believe describes Madame Defarge is when she states, "Tell the Wind and Fire when to stop, but don't tell me" (264). In is important to note that at this point, Madame Defarge will not be stopped. She is planning to destroy France, similar to a powerful wind or fire. WInd and fire cannot be stopped by mere measures, and she is proclaiming nothing can ever stop her. THis is the point that relefcts on her chaotic and insane manner. She is no longer sympathetic at this exact point, but simply mad with revenge. She had our sympathy through all of her other motives, but not when she wants to kill an innocent child and her mother. Madame Defarge causes her own death. Dickens chooses to kill her like this to warn others from going down the same path filled with hate and misery. He wants the people of England to change before it's too late. He doesn't want them to become the Marquis or Madame Defarge (both extremes). Although Madame Defarge played a strong game, she eventually lost. I salute you, Thérèse Defarge.