C.J. Stryver
Encyclopedia
C. J. Stryver is a character in A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens
as well as in the ten television and film versions of the story. He is a barrister
in London
, with the character Sydney Carton
working under him.
. He then reappears in Sydney Carton
's introductory chapter as his friend, drinking companion, and partner in law. He later tells Sydney that he intends to marry Lucie Manette
; however, after consulting Jarvis Lorry
he decides against it. At Tellson's bank in Chapter 24, Charles Darnay says that he knows the Marquis St. Evremonde, and Stryver says "I am sorry a man who instructs youth knows him," when in actuality the Marquis St. Evremonde is Charles himself.
A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With well over 200 million copies sold, it ranks among the most famous works in the history of fictional literature....
by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
as well as in the ten television and film versions of the story. He is a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, with the character Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton is the central character in the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He is a shrewd young Englishman and sometime junior to his fellow barrister C.J. Stryver. In the novel, he is seen to be a drunkard, self-indulgent and self-pitying because of his wasted life...
working under him.
Name
"C.J." is not Mr. Stryver's first and middle initials, as many believe, In the book, Dickens once refers to the barrister as "Stryver, C.J."; however, at the time, Stryver is rehearsing his part in a future case, during which he plays the parts of both plaintiff and defense counsel. He also realizes that the jury would have no choice but to decide in his favor and that he, "Stryver, C.J., was satisfied that no plainer case could be." It is clear that C.J. are not his initials. They most likely stand for "Chief Justice."Real life inspiration for the character
Dickens based the character on Edwin James, Q.C., a counsel whom Dickens had observed in "only one sitting."Depiction in the novel
He first appears in the novel as counsel for the defense of Charles DarnayCharles Darnay
Charles Darnay, or Charles St. Evrémonde, is a fictional character in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.-Overview:A French aristocrat by birth, Darnay chooses to live in England because he cannot bear to be associated with the cruel injustices of the French social system...
. He then reappears in Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton is the central character in the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He is a shrewd young Englishman and sometime junior to his fellow barrister C.J. Stryver. In the novel, he is seen to be a drunkard, self-indulgent and self-pitying because of his wasted life...
's introductory chapter as his friend, drinking companion, and partner in law. He later tells Sydney that he intends to marry Lucie Manette
Lucie Manette
Lucie Manette is a character in Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities.-Overview:She is the daughter of Dr. Alexander Manette. She is wise beyond her years; unfailingly kind and forgiving of people's faults. Her compassion for her father is what first attracts Charles Darnay to her. She...
; however, after consulting Jarvis Lorry
Jarvis Lorry
-Cinematic and Theatrical Portrayals:In the 2008 Broadway musical adaptation of 'A Tale of Two Cities,' Jarvis Lorry is played by Michael Hayward-Jones.-External links:*...
he decides against it. At Tellson's bank in Chapter 24, Charles Darnay says that he knows the Marquis St. Evremonde, and Stryver says "I am sorry a man who instructs youth knows him," when in actuality the Marquis St. Evremonde is Charles himself.
Depiction on stage
Wayne Schroder played C. J. Stryver in "the Broadway-aimed musical by Jill Santoriello."External links
- "Stryver (Character) from A Tale of Two Cities (1935)," The Internet Movie Database.