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
... leaving Charles largely on his own. He worked at Warren's Blacking factory, gluing labels to bottles of shoe polish, finding himself very poor and often hungry. Young Introduction IX Charles was also tormented by the thought that ...
... leaving Charles largely on his own. He worked at Warren's Blacking factory, gluing labels to bottles of shoe polish, finding himself very poor and often hungry. Young Introduction IX Charles was also tormented by the thought that ...
Page xiii
... trade there and performers intermarried. This sense of community is evident when Sissy must leave her famIntroduction XIV ily to join Gradgrind and Bounderby: “The women sadly Dickens_HardTimes_i-xviii 10/20/06 8:30 AM Page xiii.
... trade there and performers intermarried. This sense of community is evident when Sissy must leave her famIntroduction XIV ily to join Gradgrind and Bounderby: “The women sadly Dickens_HardTimes_i-xviii 10/20/06 8:30 AM Page xiii.
Page xiv
... leave of her.” Master Kidderminster, “in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views . . . moodily withdrew.” Dickens sets the circus realm as a sort of ...
... leave of her.” Master Kidderminster, “in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views . . . moodily withdrew.” Dickens sets the circus realm as a sort of ...
Page xv
... 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 reporter. Publishes his first short story, “A Dinner at Poplar ...
... 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 reporter. Publishes his first short story, “A Dinner at Poplar ...
Page xvi
... . Dies on June 9 of a cerebral hemorrhage, leaving the serial novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood unfinished. Historical Context of Hard Times c 1771: First cotton mill Dickens_HardTimes_i-xviii 10/20/06 8:30 AM Page xvi.
... . Dies on June 9 of a cerebral hemorrhage, leaving the serial novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood unfinished. Historical Context of Hard Times c 1771: First cotton mill Dickens_HardTimes_i-xviii 10/20/06 8:30 AM Page xvi.
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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