Though Sydney used to lead a dissolute and simple lifestyle he is an intelligent and talented person He is a successful lawyer However his potential is destroyed because of his self-destructive manners Personality In the novel's beginning we can see Sydney Carton is depicted as a gloomy and disillusioned man He is not a highly ambitious person He leads a purposeless life He often seeks comfort in alcohol He is known for his sharp wit and intelligence Carton is deeply self-critical and bears a profound sense of self-loathing Professional Life Carton is a skilled and well-educated lawyer but he wastes his potential Despite being capable of excellence he chose to modest life He symbolizes an indifferent outlook on life Selfless Love for Lucie Carton's love for Lucie is pure and selfless Through his unrequited love for Lucie Manette Darnay's wife he finds a reason to change his life He says It is a far far better thing that I do than I have ever done it is a far far better rest that I go to than I have ever known Carton experiences an awakening of purpose and a desire for redemption Symbol of Resurrection Sydney Carton is a symbol of resurrection He converts from a wasted and dissolute man into a heroic figure and redeems himself through his utmost sacrifice by saving Darnay's life from ultimate death Redemption and Sacrifice The most illustrative part of Sydney Carton's character is his journey towards redemption He sacrifices his own life for the sake of others In the climax scene of the novel Carton exchanges places with Charles Darnay in the prison cell Because they are physically alike After the place replacement he is imprisoned and faces execution Thus his self-sacrifice action creates an opportunity for Darnay to leave the guillotine and live with his family This sacrifice is a powerful symbol of Carton's redemption and his ultimate nobility In summary Sydney Carton's character in A Tale of Two Cities is a complex and multi-layered individual who transforms from a disillusioned and dissolute man into a selfless and heroic figure His journey of redemption and sacrifice makes him one of the most memorable characters in literature