Stryver
{{For|the assistant to John Daggett|The Dark Knight Rises}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Stryver
| series = A Tale of Two Cities
| image = T2C Mr Stryver at Tellson's Bank, by Phiz.jpg
| caption = Mr Stryver at Tellson's Bank by Phiz, 1859
| creator = Charles Dickens
| occupation = Lawyer
| gender = Male
| nationality = English
}}
C.J. Stryver is a character in Charles Dickens's 1859 novel A Tale of Two Cities and in the television and film adaptations of the story. He is a barrister in London, with the character Sydney Carton working under him.
Development
The real-life inspiration for the character is likely the 19th century British barrister, Edwin James.{{cite book|author=M. C. Rintoul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eJcOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA541|title=Dictionary of Real People and Places in Fiction|date=1 January 1993|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-05999-2|page=541}}
Depiction in the novel
He first appears in the novel as counsel for the defense of Charles Darnay.Dickens, Charles (1997). A Tale of Two Cities and Related Readings, p. 90. McDougal Littel. {{ISBN|0-395-77544-2}} He then reappears in Sydney Carton's introductory chapter as his friend, drinking companion, and partner in law;Dickens, Charles (1997). A Tale of Two Cities and Related Readings, pp. 140-111. McDougal Littel. {{ISBN|0-395-77544-2}} however, while he cuts a very impressive figure in court, it is apparent that Carton seems to have all the true legal knowledge and ability. While he and Sydney Carton were students at the same university of law, it appears that Stryver may have graduated due to Carton's doing all his scholastic work for him. Based on repeated descriptions of him as a "shoulderer" and a "thruster" and his own name, it can be implied that Stryver is a very ambitious man determined to push himself to the top of his profession and in society. He later tells Sydney that he intends to marry Lucie Manette; however, after consulting Jarvis Lorry he decides against it and even talks himself into such a state that he congratulates himself upon his decision.Dickens, Charles (1997). A Tale of Two Cities and Related Readings, pp. 169-182. McDougal Littel. {{ISBN|0-395-77544-2}} He is also a man of strong prejudices; at Tellson's bank in Chapter 24 when Charles Darnay says that he knows the new Marquis St. Evremonde, Stryver says "I am sorry a man who instructs youth knows him,"Dickens, Charles (1997). A Tale of Two Cities and Related Readings, p. 294. McDougal Littel. {{ISBN|0-395-77544-2}} not knowing that the Marquis St. Evremonde is Charles himself.
Depiction on stage
Wayne Schroder played "C. J. Stryver" in "the Broadway-aimed musical by Jill Santoriello."Kenneth Jones, "[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/111819.html "Best of Times" Is Now: Tale of Two Cities Musical Begins Pre-NYC Run Oct. 13]," Playbill (13 Oct 2007).
Reception and analysis
Stryver has been described as " a caricature of the conquering bourgeoise",{{Cite journal|last=Rignall|first=J. M.|date=1984|title=Dickens and the Catastrophic Continuum of History in A Tale of Two Cities|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2872938|journal=ELH|volume=51|issue=3|pages=575–587|doi=10.2307/2872938|jstor=2872938|issn=0013-8304|url-access=subscription}} and a "minor character with a comic function".{{Cite journal|last=Bossche|first=Chris R. Vanden|date=1983|title=Prophetic Closure and Disclosing Narrative: "The French Revolution" and "A Tale of Two Cities"|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44371738|journal=Dickens Studies Annual|volume=12|pages=209–221|jstor=44371738|issn=0084-9812}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- "[https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0026334/ Stryver (Character) from A Tale of Two Cities (1935)]," The Internet Movie Database.
{{A Tale of Two Cities}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stryver, C.J.}}
Category:Literary characters introduced in 1859
Category:A Tale of Two Cities characters
Category:Fictional British lawyers