To the outside world, he is a lazy, alcoholic, soulless, and 'jackal' English lawyer. Although his intelligence and legal knowledge are actually far superior to Stryver's, he possesses no ambition to take him to the top, nor any joy to cling to life. Since his youth, he has been content to remain in the shadow of others (especially Stryver), a lonely vagabond who wastes his days away wrapped in towels in bars. At Charles Darnay's trial at the Old Bailey, he used his genius through his exact resemblance to Darnay to save him from death. Beneath this gruff appearance lies a highly fragile romantic character who is aware of his own misery. The presence of Lucie Manette dawned like a star in his life, transforming into a sacred vow that, for the sake of this golden-haired woman, he could erase all the evil and dishonorable life in the world. By giving his word, 'Know that I would sacrifice my life for all you love and care for,' he will be the victim figure at the center of 'resurrection' and salvation themes, proving his existence on the scaffold not for heroism or applause, but solely for a quiet and firm peace of conscience by trading his life for Darnay's.
An unhappy type who could never get anything done on his own since childhood days, doing the homework of other students during his school years. No success has fallen to his share in his life between Paris and London; while he was a lion with immense potential, he accepted himself as a wreck floating in muddy waters, just because of his weariness and lack of trust in life and people.
Tall, black-haired, and possessed of highly capable features, he looks like the exact double of Charles Darnay. However, compared to Darnay's orderly face, his own is dominated by a derelict void, a dishevelled alcoholic sloppiness, with his gown even draped carelessly.
Stryver
His foolish boss, whom he drags along with disgusting fatigue and obedience, working day and night to put him in the front row.
Jarvis Lorry
The person whom he occasionally needles with irritation, including his sensible banker with whom he maintains a proper relationship, but whom he respects deep down.
Lucie Manette
To him, she is an unshakeable idol, his eternal beloved whom he is content to let remain merely a dream and whom he always wished to keep away from his own dark world, which he could not save.
Charles Darnay
The annoying twin whom he resembles exactly, and whose sense of honor and happiness in life is being lived as if by someone else, but whom he finds honorable deep down.