C.J. Stryver is a character in
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...
's 1859 novel ''
A Tale of Two Cities
''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by 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 imprisonment in ...
'' and in the television and film adaptations of the story. He is a
barrister in
London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
, with the character
Sydney Carton working under him.
Development
Real life inspiration for the character was 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 time o ...
. He then reappears in
Sydney Carton'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 confirmed ...
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", 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