Stryver
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C.J. Stryver is a character in
Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, journalist, short story writer and Social criticism, social critic. He created some of literature's best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by ...
's 1859 novel ''
A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by English author Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long impr ...
'' and in the television and film adaptations of the story. He is a
barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdiction (area), jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include arguing cases in courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, jurisprud ...
in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
, with the character
Sydney Carton Sydney Carton is a central character in Charles Dickens' 1859 novel '' A Tale of Two Cities''. He is a shrewd young Englishman educated at Shrewsbury School, and sometime junior to his fellow barrister Stryver. Carton is portrayed as a brillia ...
working under him.


Development

The real-life inspiration for the character is likely the 19th century British barrister, Edwin James.


Depiction in the novel

He first appears in the novel as counsel for the defense of
Charles Darnay Charles Darnay, Charles D'Aulnais or Charles St. Evrémonde is a fictional character in the 1859 novel '' A Tale of Two Cities'' by Charles Dickens. Overview Darnay is a wealthy gentleman who spends time in both France and England during the tim ...
. He then reappears in
Sydney Carton Sydney Carton is a central character in Charles Dickens' 1859 novel '' A Tale of Two Cities''. He is a shrewd young Englishman educated at Shrewsbury School, and sometime junior to his fellow barrister Stryver. Carton is portrayed as a brillia ...
's introductory chapter as his friend, drinking companion, and partner in law; 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 Jarvis Lorry is a character in Charles Dickens' 1859 novel, '' A Tale of Two Cities''. Overview Jarvis Lorry is one of the oldest employees of Tellson's Bank, and he frequently deals with the bank's offices in London and Paris. He is a confirm ...
he decides against it and even talks himself into such a state that he congratulates himself upon his decision. 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," 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."


Reception and analysis

Stryver has been described as " a caricature of the conquering
bourgeoise The bourgeoisie ( , ) are a class of business owners, merchants and wealthy people, in general, which emerged in the Late Middle Ages, originally as a "middle class" between the peasantry and aristocracy. They are traditionally contrasted with ...
", and a "minor character with a comic function".


References


External links


Stryver (Character) from ''A Tale of Two Cities'' (1935)
" ''The Internet Movie Database''. {{DEFAULTSORT:Stryver, C.J. Literary characters introduced in 1859 A Tale of Two Cities characters Fictional British lawyers Fictional English people Male characters in literature