What are synergistic pairs? The Miriam-Webster dictionary defines synergism as: “The interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.” In short, these are people who are essential to each other, and in a sense inseparable.
Of the pairs, the most synergistic would be the Defarges. Earnest and Therese Defarge are an amazingly compatible couple contrary to what most people would get out of the book. Before separating these two for further analysis, one needs to think about the front they put on to cover their illegal activities. A wineshop in France is not very odd, so it presents the unique opportunity to make legal money and have a meeting place that would appear perfectly normal. The Defarges undoubtedly chose a wineshop for that reason, if not Madame Defarge herself as she is a very shrewd woman. At first glance, Madame Defarge appears to be a very controlling lady. She runs the show and calls the shots, makes the hit list, informs people that there is a spy in the wineshop, and has the cold heart needed to keep the revolution under keeps until the proper time has arisen. It could appear that she controls her husband with an iron fist, but taking a deeper look at Monsieur Earnest Defarge, one realizes that is not entirely the case.
Monsieur Defarge has an equally important, if not more necessary role than his wife. While Madame alerts people and knits away, her husband uses his speech to quell any rumors, make the necessary arrangements for spiriting away Dr. Manette, and tactfully rebutting questions from various spies. Monsieur may be the ancillary of the relationship, he is nonetheless indispensable.
The most interesting synergistic pair may just be Sydney Carton and C.J. Stryver. Stryver is the muscles of the pair, having the eloquence to woo the jury and even the crowd over to his point of view. However, Stryver could do nothing without Carton, as Sydney Carton is the brains of the pair. Carton is the one who notices the resemblance of himself to Charles Evermonde, called Darnay, therefore getting Darnay the very rare acquittal from the treason charge. This is what makes Carton and Stryver, as earlier mentioned, a very interesting pair. Stryver has a very big personality, seeming to be the dominant, but definitely not controlling partner. He is described as a “big man”, presumably referring to his personality, as the book gave no mention of his physical size. Stryver is a very intriguing character in that he appears to have no sense of propriety. He declares to Carton that he will do Lucie Manette a favor by marrying her (which in response Carton drank his alcoholic punch with “great haste”) and then tells Carton that he should get a woman to marry as well. Stryver recognizes that Carton needs to start taking his life seriously, but doesn’t seem to want to do anything about it.
Carton on the other hand, as much as he knows his life isn’t good, also doesn’t want to change. Carton is resigned to stay at his station in life, although there are times when he desires that he was better. Carton is in love with Lucie Manette but he grants to himself that fact that she will never love him back. He sheds a few tears about it and then moves on from his depression, but not his love. Carton in relation to Stryver presents an interesting analysis. Carton is smarter than Stryver, just as Stryver is better at public presenting than Carton. Carton is too sloppily dressed, hung-over, and generally appearing apathetic to stand in front of a judge with any hopes of winning a case. Stryver is neither observant nor smart enough legally to be a one man team. Even though they are opposites, they are indissoluble.
Most people wouldn’t think of Jarvis Lorry and Dr. Alexandre Manette as a synergistic pair. Yet by taking a closer look, one realizes that they are inalienable from each other. The entire Manette family gives Jarvis Lorry something he has always longed for. Lorry will never admit (being the man of business that he is) that he has forever desired a place to call home, and people to call family. The Manettes give him that and Dr. Manette in particular gives him someone to look after. Manette is a fragile person after being in the Bastille for so long, and has a tendency when faced with stress to resort to his shoe-making, in essence having a relapse of when he first was set free. Lorry is the one who is always there for Manette, who decides to eventually throw out his shoe-making paraphernalia in an effort to curb Manette’s relapses. Lorry gives to Manette stabilization in his life. As much as Alexandre Manette loves his daughter, he realizes she is an attractive woman and will not only be garnering the attention of men, but returning it as well. Lorry is someone Manette can always count on to be there for him when times turn rough. Lorry will be able to bring him back to reality and save him from the depression that tries to overtake him.
Lorry also pairs with Jerry Cruncher the “honest tradesman”. Cruncher has a very auspicious but definitively not legal night life. Cruncher derives money from the sale of cadavers and therefore has to exhume the bodies from the graves quickly and inconspicuously. Lorry unknowingly gives Jerry a cover for his evening work by employing him legally to carry messages for Tellsons bank. Jerry now can explain how he makes money should anyone come asking around as being a messenger for Tellsons bank happens to be a very reputable job.
Jerry gives to Lorry information that he wants. Jerry can get into places inconspicuously and garner information that is vital to Lorry. Jerry doesn't pry into Lorry's business although he does wonder sometimes what Lorry's cryptic messages are. Jerry refers to himself as an honest businessman several times, and works very hard at his night life as a gravedigger. Jerry also is Lorry's protector, a bodyguard of sorts. Lorry is an old man and although he will stay at Tellsons bank, he's not stupid enough to think he doesn't need protection. While Jerry physically protects Jarvis Lorry from harm, he likewise looks after him, even moving into the same house to ensure he is fine.
The last synergistic pair would be Miss Pross and Lucie Darnay. Not only do these two have a incredibly strong relationship (Miss Pross having raised Lucie), they offer each other exactly what the other needs. Miss Pross, after her brother left and being a single woman, didn't have work or a place to live, and Lucie gave that to her. Lucie needed to be looked after and Miss Pross was the perfect match. Lucie, not having a mom, wouldn't get the female attention and guidance that she needed, but Pross came to the rescue. Miss Pross offers the most important thing to Lucie, and that would be stabilization, someone to trust, to confide in. Miss Pross fulfills the role of mother and also the role of best friend, strengthening and protecting her Lucie.
So what is synergism? It is the elements combined producing something greater than when those same elements were apart. One could also say that it means two are better than one, in fact the Bible even say that a cord of three strands is not easily broken. While these synergistic pairs are not made up of three people, a cord of two strands is likewise not as easily broken as a cord of one strand.
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