The differences between Defarge and his wife make themselves even more apparent after their return from Versailles. While Defarge shows a very human weariness with the seemingly endless road of revolution, Madame Defarge remains unswerving in her commitment to the cause. She views the movement as a creation process that will produce the relentless forces of vengeance and retribution. She explains to her husband, though, that "it is your weakness that you sometimes need to see your victim and your opportunity, to sustain you."In other words, the promise of an ultimate fulfillment drives Madame Defarge, while Defarge thrives on the concrete reality of day-to-day experience.
The private moment between the couple after their day of indoctrinating the road-mender also highlights how completely their revolutionary work has consumed them. Defarge's depression that they may not live to see the fruition of their efforts reminds the reader that the Defarges are childless, and in effect, the revolution is their child. Just as Doctor Manette finds new life in his daughter, Defarge hopes to find a new life for himself and his country through the revolution. However, like the aristocratic women, Madame Defarge is an unnatural mother. She works not toward giving life but toward giving death.
The Defarges' differing focuses on life and death especially emerge when Barsad discloses the news of Lucie's engagement and Darnay's identity. As Defarge hopes for their sake that they stay out of France and therefore keep their lives, Madame Defarge coolly knits Darnay's name into her register next to Barsad's, condemning them both to death.
