Hard TimesThis story of class conflict in Victorian England serves as a powerful critique of the social injustices that plagued the Industrial Revolution. Always concerned with issues of class, social injustice, and employment, Dickens shows in Hard Times, written in 1854, a broader concern with the philosophies and economic movements which underlie those issues. Three parallel story lines reflect a broad cross-section of society and its thinking. This edition includes: -A concise introduction that gives the reader important background information -A chronology of the author's life and work -A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context -An outline of key themes and plot points to guide the reader's own interpretations -Detailed explanatory notes -Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work -Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction -A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience |
From inside the book
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Page xi
... Jupe tells Louisa that her schoolmasters confuse her: “And he said, This schoolroom is an immense town, and in it there are a million of inhabitants, and only five-and-twenty are starved to death in the streets in the course of a year ...
... Jupe tells Louisa that her schoolmasters confuse her: “And he said, This schoolroom is an immense town, and in it there are a million of inhabitants, and only five-and-twenty are starved to death in the streets in the course of a year ...
Page xiii
... Jupe, her father, Mr. E. W. B. Childers, and Mr. Sleary belong to the wild world of the circus—a sphere directly opposed to staid Utilitarianism, grim industrial society, and standardized Victorian schools. In describing Sleary's circus ...
... Jupe, her father, Mr. E. W. B. Childers, and Mr. Sleary belong to the wild world of the circus—a sphere directly opposed to staid Utilitarianism, grim industrial society, and standardized Victorian schools. In describing Sleary's circus ...
Page 4
... JUPE MR . MCCHOAKUMCHILD, a teacher in Mr. Gradgrind's model school SLACKBRIDGE, a trades-union agitator MR. SLEARY, a stout, flabby man; the proprietor of a circus Characters 5 , MRS the wife of Stephen Blackpool; a 4 ...
... JUPE MR . MCCHOAKUMCHILD, a teacher in Mr. Gradgrind's model school SLACKBRIDGE, a trades-union agitator MR. SLEARY, a stout, flabby man; the proprietor of a circus Characters 5 , MRS the wife of Stephen Blackpool; a 4 ...
Page 5
... Jupe, a JUPE circus clown MRS . PEGLER, a mysterious old woman, withered, but tall and shapely RACHAEL, a factory hand; a friend of Stephen Blackpool's LADY SCADGERS, a fat old woman; great-aunt to Mrs. Sparsit JOSEPHINE , a fair-haired ...
... Jupe, a JUPE circus clown MRS . PEGLER, a mysterious old woman, withered, but tall and shapely RACHAEL, a factory hand; a friend of Stephen Blackpool's LADY SCADGERS, a fat old woman; great-aunt to Mrs. Sparsit JOSEPHINE , a fair-haired ...
Page 12
... Jupe, sir,” explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying. “Sissy is not a name,” said Mr. Gradgrind. “Don't call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia.” “It's father as calls me Sissy, sir,” returned the young girl in ...
... Jupe, sir,” explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying. “Sissy is not a name,” said Mr. Gradgrind. “Don't call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia.” “It's father as calls me Sissy, sir,” returned the young girl in ...
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answered appeared asked Bank believe better Bitzer Bound Bounderby Bounderby’s brother brought called Charles Dickens Coketown coming considered dark daughter dear don’t door expression eyes face fact father fellow figure girl give gone Gradgrind hand Hard Harthouse head hear heard heart hope hour James Jupe keep kind knew known lady leave light live looked Louisa ma’am manner married mean mind Miss morning mother nature never night observed once passed poor present question Rachael returned round seemed seen side Sissy sister Sleary Sparsit speak Stephen stood stopped street sure tell thee thing Thomas thought Thquire took town trouble turned usual voice wait walk whole wish woman wonder young