behind the scenes He prepares legal cases for Stryver but gets no recognition He is like a jackal that serves the lion in the wild Carton uses his intelligence and skill to help Stryver succeed Dickens writes Although Sydney Carton would never be a lion he was an amazingly good jackal Book Two Chapter V Symbolic Meaning The Lion Stryver stands for visible success confidence and authority The Jackal Carton stands for quiet hard work support and sacrifice These nicknames also reflect their personalities Stryver is proud and ambitious while Carton is careless about himself but deeply intelligent Deeper Contrast Although Carton is underestimated he later shows true greatness His final act of sacrificing his life to save Charles Darnay proves his moral courage This makes him far nobler than Stryver despite being in the Jackal role earlier In short the Lion stands for pride and power while the Jackal stands for hidden talent and sacrifice Dickens uses them to show the difference between open success and silent bravery