Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of
Two Citie, 2010.
Defarge seems to have a strong acknowledgement that his wife is not just a common woman, but a strong woman that even stronger than himself, as the
following quotation states:
Her husband smoked at his door, looking after her with admiration. “A great woman,” said he, “strong woman, a
grand woman, a frightfully grand woman p. 150
3.2. The Difference Between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge
Dickens surely has several messages in A Tale of Two Cities and one of the messages is related to love and hale, that somehow love and hate always
appear in the human life, in every way. It seems that Dickens wants to show the theme of love and hate indirectly and through a representative. Although Miss
Pross and Madame Defarge have similarity by being women who step ahead of their time, both of them can also be considered as the representalive of two
different feelings that exist in every human, which are love and hate.
3.2.1. Miss Pross as the Representative of Love.
In A Tale of Two Cities, the character of Miss Pross seems to be the representative of love. As a person who has a spirit of liberated woman, surely
Miss Pross is aware of her own freedom in her life. Miss Pross has an ability to raise her strong feeling of love. Whether she is conscious or not. Miss Pross
actions and speeches may be based on love, a strong feeling that comes from her heart.
Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of
Two Citie, 2010.
First, Miss Pross has lots of love for her brother Solomon. As a single woman, she has a lot of love to give and therefore, she feels a deep sisterly love
toward her brother. Even though her brother has left her and taken all of her money, she does not hate him. She just cannot understand her brothers attitude
toward her. This disappointment happens because women believe that loving and caring are two important things in their life, which are considered as the function
that must be owned by a woman. However, Miss Pross never stops loving her brother Solomon. Her grievance in the quotation below seems to express how
much she loves Solomon and how she cannot understand his cruel attitudes toward her when Solomon says something rude toward her in their first meeting
after the long separalion :
“The gracious and merciful Heavens forbid” cried Miss Pross. “Far rather would I never see you again, dear
Solomon, though I have ever loved you truly, and never shall. Say but one affectionate word to me, and tell me there is
nothing angry or estranged between us, and I will detain you no longer.” p. 241
In this novel, Miss Pross loves Solomon so much that she thinks to give
every good thing to him. A good example of this explanation can be seen from the next quotation, which shows that Miss Pross is actually eager to match Lucie
Manette and Solomon to be husband and wife, since Miss Pross loves both of them. Once, when Miss Pross feels jealous about the attention that is gotten by
Lucie Manette from her father and other men. Miss Pross states :
“There never was, nor will be, but one man worthy of Ladybird,” said Miss Pross; “and that was my brother
Solomon, if he hadnt made a mistake in life.” p. 77.
Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of
Two Citie, 2010.
Second, most of Miss Pross love is given to Lucie Manette, the one whom she also cares about. Miss Pross is aware to give all of her love and care
for Lucie Manette. One of the examples of her love and care toward Lucie Manette is pictured in how she treats her physically:
Miss Pross was a pleasant sight, albeit wild, and red, and grim, taking off her darlings bonnet when she came upstairs,
and touching it up with the ends of her handkerchief, and blowing the dust off it, and folding her mantle ready for
laying by, and smoothing her rich hair with as much pride as she could possibly have taken in her own hair if she had been
the vainest and handsomest of women, p. 79
Her love brings positive result toward others life, especially toward Dr. Manettes and Lucie Manettes own life. Miss Pross love toward Lucie Manette
has brought some affection toward her father, Dr. Manette. It is proved by her will to help the recovery of Dr. Manette, when he suddenly gets amnesia after the
wedding of his daughter. The statement may be explained by the following quotation :
“Miss Pross and he divided the night into two watches, and observed him at intervals from the adjoining room.” p. 159
However, it is obvious that most of Miss Pross love brings positive result toward the life of Lucie Manette. Miss Pross has taken care of Lucie
Manette as if she was her own daughter, and she has been Lucie Manettes loyal servant in her life. She may feel that Lucie Manette has been the part of her life.
Here, all of Miss Pross actions and treatments toward Lucie Manette are done based on love. It seems that all of her treatment indicates her love, where love
Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of
Two Citie, 2010.
seeks for others happiness. It seems that all of Miss Pross’ actions always come back to love. The most perfect proof of Miss Pross’ love toward Lucie Manette
is pictured when she decides to fight with Madame Defarge in order to protect Lucie Manette and her family from being killed. Miss Pross has some potential in
herself, something to give to other people. Even though she is a woman, she may feel that she can give something from herself toward the person whom she loves
so much. When Madame Defarge comes and looks for Lucie Manette, Miss Pross knows that she must do something to protect her. Miss Pross feels afraid, since it
is a big decision, which has to be taken. That is why she seems to be anxious when she decides to stay in home, waiting for the right moment to face Madame
Defarge, as the following quotation states :
Afraid, in her extreme perturbation, of the loneliness of the deserted rooms, and of half-imagined faces peeping from
behind every open door in them. Miss Pross got a basin of cold water and began laving her eyes, which were swollen and
red. Haunted by her feverish apprehensions, she could not bear to have her sight obscured for a minute at a time by
dripping water, but constantly paused and looked around to see that there was no one watching her. p. 298
However, Miss Pross then decides to face Madame Defarge by herself, so Lucie Manette and her family can escape themselves. As a person who has a
spirit of a liberated woman, it seems that Miss Pross is aware that she somehow has two choices, to leave or to face Madame Defarge in order to protect Lucie
Manettes life. Here, it is obvious that actually Miss Pross has a kind of inner conflict deep in her heart and mind. However, because of Miss Pross
consideration as a woman who can be productive and can give herself for the sake of Lucie Manette, she decides to be there and to face Madame Defarge. As a
Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of
Two Citie, 2010.
liberated woman, Miss Pross has got her own choice consciously. Miss Pross’ decision to slay and fight against Madame Defarge is the proof of her love
toward Lucie Manette and her family. Miss Pross great love seems to turn her lo be a brave woman and therefore, she decides to take the risk. The quolation
below may explain Miss Pross will lo stay al the house, in order lo keep Madame Defarge there:
“I am doubtful,” said Mr. Cruncher, hesitating and shaking his head, “about leaving of you, you see. We dont know what
may happen.” “Heaven knows we dont,” returned Miss Pross, “but have no
fear of me. Take me in at the cathedral, at three oclock, or as near it as you can, and I am sure it will be better than our
going from here. I feel certain of it. There Bless you, Mr. Cruncher Think-not of me, but of the lives that may depend
on both of us” p. 298
Miss Pross decision lo be there and to face Madame Defarge seems to be her fixed choice, as the following quotation stales :
“I know that the longer I keep you here, the greater hope there is for my Ladybird. Ill not leave a handful of that dark
hair upon your head, if you lay a finger on me” p. 299-300
Miss Pross realizes her pure love for Lucie Manette, she seems to give all of her life to her. The external conflict that happens between Miss Pross and
Madame Defarge seems to be the most perfect example about how Miss Pross represenls love, that she somehow sacrifices herself for the sake of Lucie Manette
and her family. Miss Pross does not seem to pay much attention toward her own life and then decides to Fight against Madame Defarge, in order to save Lucies
life, as the quotation below explains:
Indra Ismayudi Tanjung : A Comparison Between Miss Pross And Madame Defarge In Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of
Two Citie, 2010.
Madame Defarge made at the door. Miss Pross, on the instinct of the momenl, seized her round the waist in both her
arms, and held her tight. It was in vain for Madame Defarge to struggle and to slrike; Miss Pross, with the vigorous
tenacity of love, always so much stronger lhan hate, clasped her tight, and even lifted her from the floor in the struggle
then they had. The two hands of Madame Defarge buffeted and tore her face- but. Miss Pross, with her head down, held
her round the waist, and clung to her with more than the hold of a drowning woman. p. 300
Miss Pross has become the representative of love, since she does several actions based on love. Moreover, it is also clear that Miss Pross love can bring
positive result toward the others. Even though Miss Pross has to lose her hearing after having the struggle, her sacrifice has given great contribution toward the
life of others. All of her actions always come back to a strong feeling called love.
3.2.2. Madame Defarge as the Representative of Hate.
