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 viii
... father was imprisoned for debt, remaining incarcerated for three months. During that time Charles's family lived in debtors' prison with his father, leaving Charles largely on his own. He worked at Warren's Blacking factory, gluing ...
... father was imprisoned for debt, remaining incarcerated for three months. During that time Charles's family lived in debtors' prison with his father, leaving Charles largely on his own. He worked at Warren's Blacking factory, gluing ...
Page ix
... father and Stephen Blackpool's despair while trapped in a mine shaft reflect the conflicted emotional struggle facing Dickens during this desolate time. Dickens attended school at the Wellington Academy in London until he was fifteen ...
... father and Stephen Blackpool's despair while trapped in a mine shaft reflect the conflicted emotional struggle facing Dickens during this desolate time. Dickens attended school at the Wellington Academy in London until he was fifteen ...
Page xiii
... 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, Dickens ...
... 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, Dickens ...
Page xv
... father imprisoned at Marshalsea for unpaid debts; Charles leaves school to work, but returns when his father is released. 1827: Begins work as a law clerk. 1830: Begins work as a shorthand court reporter. 1833: Works as a newspaper ...
... father imprisoned at Marshalsea for unpaid debts; Charles leaves school to work, but returns when his father is released. 1827: Begins work as a law clerk. 1830: Begins work as a shorthand court reporter. 1833: Works as a newspaper ...
Page xvi
... father. Bleak House begins serial publication. Delivers first of many public readings. Hard Times begins serial publication in Household Words, Dickens's weekly periodical. Little Dorrit begins serial publication. Gives a series of ...
... father. Bleak House begins serial publication. Delivers first of many public readings. Hard Times begins serial publication in Household Words, Dickens's weekly periodical. Little Dorrit begins serial publication. Gives a series of ...
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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