Justification of Title in Hard Times

Introduction: HARD TIMES was serialized in Dickens’ magazine HOUSEHOLD WORDS in the winter of 1853 -54. Before the publication of the novel, Dickens took great pain with the title of the book. He experimented with as many as 24 titles Like ‘According cooker the grindstone‘ something tangible‘ ‘Rust and Dust‘, ‘Hard Heads and Soft Hearts‘ … Read more

Representation of Victorian Society in Hard Times

Introduction: Hard Times: For These Times (commonly known as Hard Times) is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book attacks the English society and satirises the social and economic conditions of the era. The book was initially published in serial form in the weekly publication “Household words”. This novel is … Read more

James Harthouse Character Analysis

The novel opens with a statement by gradgrind of his educational views. What he wants he tells a new school master is facts. He instructs the new school master to teach his class of boys and girls nothing but facts because facts alone are wanted in life. Gradgrind was a man who put emphasis only … Read more

Tom Gradgrind Character Analysis

The novel opens with a statement by gradgrind of his educational views. What he wants he tells a new school master is facts. He instructs the new school master to teach his class of boys and girls nothing but facts because facts alone are wanted in life. Gradgrind was a man who put emphasis only … Read more

Louisa Gradgrind Character Analysis

Although Louisa the novels principal female character, she is distinctive from the novels other women, particularly her foils,Sissy and Rachel. Wild these other two embody the Victorian ideal of femininity -sensitivity ,compassion and gentleness Louisa’s education has prevented her from developing such traits. In fact, her father Mr gradgrind seriously brought up his children so … Read more

Mr. Josiah Bounderby Character Analysis

Mr Josiah bounderby is man perfectly devoid of sentiment. He is described as a rich man:”banker merchant manufacturer and what not he is a big loud man with a stair and a metallic love he is a man made out of course material.”he is a year or two younger than his eminently practical friend Thomas … Read more

Thomas Gradgrind

The novel opens with a statement by gradgrind of his educational views. What he wants he tells a new school master is facts. He instructs the new school master to teach his class of boys and girls nothing but facts because facts alone are wanted in life. Gradgrind was a man who put emphasis only … Read more