What is the function of female characters in A Tale of Two Cities?

The three main female characters (Lucie Manette, Miss Pross, and Madame Defarge) have widely different functions. Lucie is the innocent “Madonna,” a static character who does not really change. She moves smoothly through the roles of daughter, wife, and mother, the three main roles that were allowed to women during the Victorian era. Her inner strength never changes though it is often tested. She does not break in the face of any possible tragedy. Her emotions are muted and generally controlled.

Miss Pross is the comic relief. Despite the seriousness of the tone of the novel, Miss Pross is a type of “fool,” humorous yet capable of presenting the true view of things. This is a common character in Shakespeare's plays, and Dickens uses this type in many of his novels. Like Lucie, however, Miss Pross is capable of great heroism, such as her protection of her “lady bird.” She stands up to Madame Defarge in the end, even to the point of losing her hearing when the gun goes off and kills Madame Defarge.

Madame Defarge is the antagonist. She symbolizes “Lady Liberty” of the French Revolution: she stands for “liberty, equality, fraternity,” yet achieves this only through violence. As such, she is stronger and more aggressive than her husband. Her mindless hate for all the nobility justifies her actions. All she wants is revenge. In a twisted version of Lady Justice (blindfolded holding a pair of scales), Madame Defarge dispenses justice blindly, but blinded by her own hate.