payment page
Although Miss Pross is not the most dynamic character in terms of her development throughout the novel, her presence nevertheless influences the way in which the Manettes navigate their struggles. She is the epitome of a devoted servant, treating Lucie and her father as if they were her own family, and serves as a source of stability for everyone around her. Dickens highlights the magnitude of Miss Pross’s loyalty to the Manettes through her physical appearance as a “wild red woman” who is “strong of hand.” The literal strength she possesses and the bold attitude she exudes give her the power to support Lucie, her “Ladybird,” and Dr. Manette no matter what difficult circumstances befall them. In addition to displaying a fierce loyalty toward the Manettes, Miss Pross is also very proud of her English heritage. She emphasizes her support for King George III, but the fact that she willingly associates with a French family and travels to France with them suggests that, in the end, they outrank her devotion to her country. All of these qualities make Miss Pross an effective foil character for Madame Defarge who, in her intense desire to seek revenge against the French aristocracy, embodies the tumult of the Revolution. Miss Pross’s love for the Manettes, her country, and preserving order represent a vastly different approach to life than Madame Defarge’s hateful instincts. They do, however, both act in defense of their loved ones, and this similarity suggests that different circumstances could have led either of them to behave more like their counterpart.
Miss Pross participates in a number of key scenes, caring for Dr. Manette after his relapse and discovering her brother, Solomon Pross, working as a spy under the name John Barsad, but her most important moment occurs near the end of the novel. She stays behind in France in order to give the Manettes and Darnay a head start out of the country, and this choice leads her to face off with Madame Defarge when she comes looking for Lucie. In this scene, Miss Pross’s physical strength comes into play as she fights Madame Defarge until her gun accidentally goes off. This moment of victory over the Manette family’s sworn enemy encapsulates Miss Pross’s commitment to them, but it also hints at the expendable nature of her character. While her willingness to sacrifice her life for her Ladybird is noble, it also reflects the idea that a woman’s value comes from what she can give to others. She seems to have no identity beyond that of a caretaker, so once she fills that role by saving the family from danger, she becomes a much more insignificant individual. The loss of her hearing as a result of the firing gun makes it difficult for Miss Pross to engage with others, and she fades into the background of the novel’s conclusion.
