Two groups are shown to use power for evil in the French Revolution as related in A Tale of Two Cities. The nobility is represented by the Marquis of Evrémonde, Charles Darnay’s uncle. His estate is his sole concern, not the people who live and work in it. He has no compassion for the poor, despite his great wealth. He uses the power of his money to crush them and then thinks that a little money alone will satisfy them. He throws a coin at Gaspard after his carriage runs over Gaspard’s son.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Madame Defarge, who represents the peasants who are trying to overthrow the nobility. Her method is murder, killing many people herself and turning others over to the tribunal for execution. She uses her power of persuasion to rouse the people to revolt. In the process, many people die.
Charles Darnay, in contrast, relinquishes his power, giving up his title of marquis, as well as his estate, in favor of living in peace in England. He tries to use that power for good, to save his former servant, even though it is dangerous for him to return to France. As a result, he is captured by the revolutionaries and is imprisoned. It is only the power of self-sacrifice of Sydney Carton that saves him.
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