Hard Times
Hard Times is a realistic novel by Charles Dickens that portrays the social conditions of 19th-century Britain during the Industrial Revolution. Through its narrative, it exposes the wealth gap, educational issues, and the alienation among people at the time.
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About This Ebook
Set in an industrial town in England, Hard Times follows the stories of Thomas Gradgrind, a mill owner, and Josiah Bounderby, a banker, and their impact on their children. Gradgrind’s fact-based education suppresses his daughter Louisa’s emotions, leading to an unhappy marriage, while his son Tom’s lack of moral guidance causes him to fall into ruin. In contrast, the circus performer Sissy Jupe influences those around her with love and empathy. The novel contrasts these lifestyles to criticize utilitarianism’s destructive effects on humanity and underscores the importance of emotion and imagination.