Therese lost her father, sister and brother-in-law when she was a young girl. They all died due to decisions by the noble and ruthless family of the Evrèmondes. In adulthood Therese works fervently to bring death to all descendants of the Evrèmondes, regardless of how innocent they are of past crimes. She also takes pride in the execution of other French noblemen.
Because Defarge knitting tends to mean someone is about to meet his doom, the character may be inspired by the three Fates.