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Description
Table of contents
Biographical note
Excerpt
User Reviews
Hard Times is a novel written by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. Set in the fictional industrial town of Coketown, the story explores the harsh realities of life during the Victorian era, with a particular focus on the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the class divide.
The narrative centres around the lives of several characters, each representing different aspects of society. Thomas Gradgrind, a utilitarian schoolmaster, raises his children, Louisa and Tom, with a strict emphasis on facts and practicality, devoid of any imagination or emotional development. Gradgrind’s philosophy of ‘facts, facts, facts’ reflects the prevalent mindset of the time, valuing rationality and logic over human emotions and individuality.
Louisa’s unhappy marriage to the pompous and self-centred industrialist Josiah Bounderby further exposes the coldness and lack of genuine human connection in the society depicted in the novel. As the story progresses, Louisa’s struggles and disillusionment with her stifled existence become the central focus, highlighting the detrimental effects of a society obsessed with material progress at the expense of personal happiness.
In contrast to the Gradgrinds and Bounderbys, there are characters like Stephen Blackpool, a working-class man trapped in a loveless marriage who is facing constant hardships. Stephen’s story sheds light on the plight of the working class, the exploitative nature of the industrial system and the desperateness of those who belong to the socially downcast community.
Throughout the novel, Dickens exposes the evils of the industrial era and highlights the negative aspects of rampant capitalism, soulless education and the disregard for human emotions. He criticizes the prevailing social order and advocates for a more compassionate and empathetic society.
Hard Times is a powerful critique of the Victorian era, challenging the prevailing ideologies of the time. Through vivid characters and a stark portrayal of societal ills, Dickens raises important questions about the consequences of a society driven solely by rationality, materialism and profit. The novel serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of valuing human emotions, empathy and the pursuit of genuine happiness in an industrialized world.
Hard Times is a novel written by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. Set in the fictional industrial town of Coketown, the story explores the harsh realities of life during the Victorian era, with a particular focus on the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the class divide.
The narrative centres around the lives of several characters, each representing different aspects of society. Thomas Gradgrind, a utilitarian schoolmaster, raises his children, Louisa and Tom, with a strict emphasis on facts and practicality, devoid of any imagination or emotional development. Gradgrind’s philosophy of ‘facts, facts, facts’ reflects the prevalent mindset of the time, valuing rationality and logic over human emotions and individuality.
Louisa’s unhappy marriage to the pompous and self-centred industrialist Josiah Bounderby further exposes the coldness and lack of genuine human connection in the society depicted in the novel. As the story progresses, Louisa’s struggles and disillusionment with her stifled existence become the central focus, highlighting the detrimental effects of a society obsessed with material progress at the expense of personal happiness.
In contrast to the Gradgrinds and Bounderbys, there are characters like Stephen Blackpool, a working-class man trapped in a loveless marriage who is facing constant hardships. Stephen’s story sheds light on the plight of the working class, the exploitative nature of the industrial system and the desperateness of those who belong to the socially downcast community.
Throughout the novel, Dickens exposes the evils of the industrial era and highlights the negative aspects of rampant capitalism, soulless education and the disregard for human emotions. He criticizes the prevailing social order and advocates for a more compassionate and empathetic society.
Hard Times is a powerful critique of the Victorian era, challenging the prevailing ideologies of the time. Through vivid characters and a stark portrayal of societal ills, Dickens raises important questions about the consequences of a society driven solely by rationality, materialism and profit. The novel serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of valuing human emotions, empathy and the pursuit of genuine happiness in an industrialized world.
Contents
Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic who lived from 1812 to 1870. He is regarded as one of the most influential novelists of the Victorian era, and his works have had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. He is often regarded as one who successfully recorded the worst and the best of contemporary culture through his literary creations.
Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England, in a poor family. He had to give up education at a young age and begin to work in the Warren’s shoe polish factory at the age of twelve. He worked in a law office and honed his writing skills before becoming a parliamentary reporter. He initially wrote under the pseudonym ‘Boz’ and his first short story The Boarding House was published in 1934 in the Monthly Magazine. He also wrote some essays under the same pseudonym. His first success as a writer came with the publication of his novel The Pickwick Papers in 1836, which was followed by a string of popular works such as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities.
Dickens’s writing was characterized by his vivid characters, memorable settings and his exceptional skills of portraying the social and economic realities of Victorian England. His writings carried ample sympathy for the poor and working-class, and his novels often highlighted the plight of those who were marginalized by society. His works were also notable for their strong moral themes, which emphasized the importance of compassion, kindness and social justice.
In addition to his fiction writing, Dickens was a prolific journalist and essayist. He wrote extensively on social issues such as poverty, crime and education, and was a prominent advocate for social reform. He was also a keen observer of the human condition, and his works offer insight into the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of everyday life.
Charles Dickens is perhaps the world’s first global celebrity. His works continue to be widely read and adapted for stage and screen. His legacy as a social reformer and champion of the marginalized lives makes this great writer an inspiration to generations around the world, across ages.
Books that Speak to us Across Time
Books have a magical and timeless appeal. They inform, educate and entertain us. We love and cherish the books we grow up with, and explore the fascinating world they present all through our lives.
Trove seeks to preserve the tradition of reading by publishing books from the past. It is a treasure chest of the most precious works across various genres. Our vision is to keep alive works that have stood the test of time and pass them on to the next generation of readers.
Readers can browse and purchase titles in the Trove collection, gleaned from the huge ocean of treasured writings in the public domain, and republished. What’s more, Trove books can be read on paper or screen as they are available in a variety of formats.
Trove goes to great lengths to recover and refurbish old content, so readers can discover them in all their glory. Some treasures are indeed found not in caves but between the covers of a book.
