W11, #2: Considering Carton on a Big Screen

Below are 2 scenes from the 1935 film version of "A Tale of Two Cities".  In both clips, the character of Sydney Carton (played by actor Ronald Coleman) takes center stage.

Challenge:

Part 1: Which scene -- in your opinion -- best showcases the 'personality' of Carton based on how you read the book. Explain why in 5+ sentences.

Part 2: You may -- if you'd like -- add an 'opinion' about the accuracy of this film version to the way you think the film should have been made, but please do Part 1 (5+ sentences) first.

Film clip 1 -- Carton and Darnay in a tavern, after Darnay's trial in England:

Film clip 2 -- Carton and Lorry; Carton and Barsad in the streets of Paris; Carton and Darnay in the cell:

Comments

[Student #1]

The first video in my opinion best captures the personality of Carton. He is what some people would call a "drunk", yet he still seems to have his wits about him. He also brings up Lucie before Darnay who is to marry her. I really like the idea that Carton is also in love with Lucie, yet is still friends with Darnay. Even in the time of the book, Dickens could still not escape the typical love story. Not having finished the book, I think there is still much room for this "side-story" to develop even more. I personally think that the spirit of Carton and Darnay's conversations is very well captured in the first video.

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Mr. Long's response:Definitely curious what your thoughts were when you finished the book re: the "side-story" concept you mentioned above. Glad you also spoke about the "spirit" of the conversation b/w C and D.

[Anonymous student]

Um every video including the song ones just say "We're sorry, this video is no longer available." ???

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Mr. Long's response: Not sure what to tell you. They are showing up for me at school and at home; other students are getting them as well. Keep trying.

[Student #2]

I thought the second video conveyed Carton more accurately. The first video shows him as a foolish drunk. This does not quite fit him. I think he would be more bitter and cynical,not bemussed and drunken when he says his lines. The second video conveys him more seriously. You can see his bitterness, but you also see his heroism. This is a much more accurate version of the man.

I feel the presentation was odd. The movie seemed more of a love story than a commentary on the revolution. The warm and fuzzy music doesn't do much for me. I feel that if this movie is to be an accurate representation of the book, it must be conveyed much more seriously. This movie makes all the characters look almost comical as well.

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Mr. Long's response: A very wise early statement: "I think he would be more bitter and cynical,not bemussed and drunken when he says his lines." I think that many will agree with you re: the tone of the film (music, attitude, joking, etc.) being a bit unexpected given the focus of our conversations inside the novel.

For many, however, the 'love' story -- and its related 'heroic' elements -- is the central concept, and therefore the '35 version really lets that come alive. I wonder if our approach to analyzing the novel biased our thinking...or if the directors of the '35 version chose a tone that would ensure viewers (at that time) to choose this film (differently than perhaps we'd do so today). What do you think?

[Student #3]

I actually liked the first video alot better then the second. I thought the first may have portrayed Carton as a drunk but also pointed out his true character. Even though he may have been intoxicated, his true character was still evident, just a little blurry. Carton shows his selflessness throughout the entire book. Still befriending Darnay even though he had feelings for Lucie, and in the end giving his life for the sole benefit of Lucie.

[Student #4]

The first clip is almost exactly like I would have imagined Carton. Carton seems to be very sarcastic and very quick on his feet. His comedic personality makes it seem as though he is trying to hide something by putting up this carefree persona. The movements he makes also remind me of Carton such as the snap at the beginning. His tone of voice also impresses me, like he understands the characters point of view and pain.

[Student #5]

The first scene is the most accurate to Carton’s true emotions. The tavern scene gives a superior illustration of the contradictory feelings that Carton holds inside. The second scene is almost the opposite. Even though he is in accord with himself I feel that he seemed to flat for that scene. Carton would not be as calm or coolheaded. People are dying and all of the people you love are at stake. I highly doubt anyone (backsides me of course) could keep there composure like Carton in the seconded scene.

[Student #6]

I believe that the first video portraits better Carton’s personality because in that scene with Darnay, Ronald Coleman really pulled out Carton’s careless and unpleasant characteristics from the beginning of the novel. Word wise, I don’t think that the two videos differ a lot since the movie uses the same dialogue as Dickens, but Carton’s self-centered and provocative nature was dug up during the short video. I particularly liked the part where Carton brings up his own jealousy while looking himself in the mirror; it really seems that he’s talking to himself and his expression suggests true doubts, yet indifferent to those questions. I also loved Carton considering Darnay as “what he might have been”, even though later he declares hating the fellow due to his own jealousy. However, I’m surprised that Carton did not openly blame his birth for his plight, as he did with Stryver.

[Student #7]

I would have to say the second video is more accurate, but truly both videos were correct. The first one portrays Carton as a drunk, who doesn’t care. A drunk who has an attitude and will say anything to your face, with no respect. He also in my opinion hints how he dislikes Darnay, in a way implying silently he’s jealous of him, due to him having Lucie.
In the second video though, he shows his growth as a person. He went from being a complete loser to the hero. He ends up being a hero, who doesn’t care about his death, he just embraces it.

[Student #8]

I think the first video captures the character of Carton in acting form the best. In the novel he is depicted as sort of a "drunk" which not only is depicted in the clip but his infatuations for Lucie are as well. Also how he is troubled by what he feels of his life as unmeaningful is transfered from story to film. In my mind I always depicted Carton as a character who uses his drinking to numb the pain of his grief at believing his life is unmeaningful while struggling to find a way to give his life meaning. I think, because the clip accomplishes a close depiction of the character in my mind and that of the one depicted in the novel, it best displays the personality of Carton in the novel.

[Student #9]

The first clip portrayed Carton as I had pictured him in the beginning. I think both captured Carton's personlity at different points in his life but the first really hints at things to come. When he mentiones switching places at the end of the clip it would appear to be just a throw away line to one who does not know the outcome of the story but something much more to one who had read the novel. Carton seems cynical while still remaining genuine which is a hard balance to acchieve. When he talks about Lucie you can see that spark in his eye which is exactly what I had imagined. My favorite line of this clip was, "I care for no man and no man cares for me." This line perfectly embodies everything that Carton was in the beginning which allows it to mean even more when he sacrifices himself. On a side note, I love how we can see the other people in the bar slowly leaving until it is just the two left.

[Student #10]

Although I liked both clips of Carton the first clip I think captured him best. It showed how pathetic he started out in the book and yet also the caring side of him. It also foreshadowed the part where he will open up to Lucie. I think this scene left him open to the changes he will experience later and let it seem believable as Dickens did that he really is a good person inside. This clip let you in to his mind to a point showcasing the side of him you are supposed to hate and also pity. It gives you the good balance of Carton's character.

In addition I really didn't like the man they cast as Lorry, I didn't find him fitting at all.

[Student #11]

The second video portrays Carton better, in my opinion. The second Carton seems more heartfelt and rational. The first Carton says he 'cares for no man' drunkly, it's a very bad interpretation no less. If I was to be introduced to the first video, not knowing the story or Carton's character I would believe that Carton was no more than that of a drunkard of his time. The second Carton seems more noble and responsible, he appears as someone who could be trusted. However, neither of the Carton's look the way I would have imagined.

[Student #12]

Well, the first video captures what i first thought of Carton. A drunk and sarcastic person. It shows the love he has for Lucie and the jealousy of Darnay. He aspired once to be like him but then he fell away from it. The second video captures what I thought of Carton after we finished this novel. The fact that he is a changed man and a caring man, would not have struck me at the beginning. Both video's in my opinion showed who carton really is, and I also thought that they captured who is is accurately. Not only did they show him as a drunk but they showed him as a loving and loyal person.

[Student #13]

The first video of carton in the tavern depicts the Carton I would’ve imagined because of his frivolous attitude and inconsideration for others up until his confrontation with Lucie. Sheer comical and cynical ambience carton spews in his disdainful speech really captivate his worthlessness and hollow shell of man at the beginning of the novel. It clearly expresses how Carton’s help in acquitting Darnay was by mere chance and luck, not of consideration. His lack of meaning allows for the great impact of his transformation to truly envelop the reader with a sense of awe. On the other hand there were moments in the scene where I felt that Carton broke from the novel’s atmosphere and took a Hollywood spin.