A plot in a story can be developed in several ways. In many great pieces of literature, much of this plot advancement is done by the characters through their actions, by what they say, and how they are perceived by the other characters as well as the reader. In the novel A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens' minor characters contribute significantly to the narrative development. This essay will support this statement through reference to three of the minor characters including: Jerry Cruncher, Mr. Stryver, and Solomon Pross-John Barsad.
             Jerry Cruncher, a minor character, is a man of mystery in this novel. This is because of his profession and the places it takes him. His boots are frequently covered by mud in the morning, yet, the night before they would be clean. As we later discover, he is an odd-job man by day and a body snatcher by night. One of his nights in the cemetery finally pays off in the plot. In Book III, Sydney Carton attempts to blackmail John Barsad. Finally, after considering his predicament, Barsad gives in and agrees to aid Sydney Carton in his plan to release Charles Darnay from prison by taking his place. This is accomplished by Carton's knowledge of Barsad being a French spy along with Roger Cly. Barsad denies it and claims that Roger Cly is dead. This is when Jerry Cruncher "...becomes a connecting link when, in Paris, he furnishes incriminating evidence against John Barsad which he collected in London." (Coles Editorial Board, 1999, p.83) Cruncher holds some damning evidence against Barsad on the accusation that he was working as a spy with Roger Cly who was supposedly dead. He knew this because of his body snatching profession when he coincidentally dug up Cly's grave only to find it contained "paving-stones and earth". (Dickens, 1980, p.299)
             Through Cruncher's testimony, Carton gains the advantage of a favour from Barsad. This favour, as you can see, sets u...