Critically acclaimed, A Tale of Two Cities occupies a central place in Charles Dickens' canon of work. A Tale of Two Cities, published in installments starting April 30, 1859, is a historical fiction novel. A dominant theme in this historical novel is the duality present in many of Dickens' characters. Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities is somewhat autobiographical; emphasizes key elements of theme, plot, and character; and received widespread criticism. A Tale of Two Cities is told in three parts and takes place in England and France before and during the French Revolution. The novel begins with the familiar opening: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The action begins with Mr. Jarvis Lorry, an elderly director of Tellson Bank, meeting a lady named Lucie Manette, and together they find Dr. Alexandre Manette, Mrs. Manette's father, who has lost his memory and is spending his time to make shoes. Five years later in a courtroom there is a French nobleman named Charles Darnay who has been accused of being a spy, Sydney Carton, and the English lawyer points out how similar he and Darnay are in appearance, proving that they could raise a case for mistaken identity. Later in the story, Darnay and Carton both fall in love with Lucie, who chooses Darnay. Revolution breaks out in France and Darnay leaves his wife and daughter to try to save his captured administrator, Gabelle. Ultimately, Darnay is captured and arrested twice as a foreigner and then for the crimes of his noble family, the cruel Evremondes. Fortunately for Darnay, Carton heroically saves him by disguising himself as Darnay in prison, eventually dying by guillotine, all for his love for Lucie (Dickens 1-528). Charles Dickens was born on 7 February 181...... middle of paper ......=&search_within_results=&p=SUIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ2111500056&source=Bookmark&u=elli29753&jsid=6a5fe390b94a4406b5031bd7f0d6 e5df%20Gale% 20Document%20Number:%20GALE|EJ2111500056%20%C2%A9 %202014%20Microsoft%20Terms%20Privacy%20&%20cookies%20Developers%20English%20(United States%20)>.Zabel, Morton. “Revolutionary Destiny: A Tale of Two Cities.” EXPLORING Novels: n. page Gale Group Database. Network. April 10. 2014. .