HARD TIMES - Page 2 of 3 - book summaries and study materials

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapters 10-12

Summary The final three chapters of this book are chapters of complete harvest: unhappiness for Louisa and the destruction of Gradgrind’s philosophy and of Bounderby’s pride. Chapter 10, entitled “Mrs. Sparsit’s Staircase,” is one of symbolism. Not only is the “staircase” a staircase erected in Mrs. Sparsit’s mind as symbolic […]

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapter 9

Charles Dickens

Summary “Hearing the Last of It” bears a dual meaning: the last of Louisa’s determination to remain aloof from Harthouse and the last of Mrs. Sparsit’s scheme to be again the respected housekeeper in the Bounderby house. This dual meaning is incomplete until the final chapter of this book. In […]

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapter 8

Charles Dickens

Summary When gunpowder is set off, an explosion always follows. Accordingly, this chapter is well named. It has a twofold purpose: to relate the bank robbery and to show Louisa’s growing fondness for Harthouse and her continued awakening to the realization that something is missing from her life. The chapter […]

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapter 7

Charles Dickens

Summary Aptly named “Gunpowder,” this chapter shows that three characters — Louisa, Tom, and Jem Harthouse-are figuratively sitting on kegs of explosives. Harthouse, having performed his duties well, has gained the confidence of both Gradgrind and Bounderby. They are unaware of his objective: to make Louisa love him. His pursuit […]

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapters 4-6

Charles Dickens

Summary The next three chapters, entitled “Men and Brothers,” “Men and Masters,” and “Fading Away,” focus upon Stephen and his relationship with his fellow workers, his encounter with his employer, and his loss of employment. In Chapter 4, Dickens pictures the workers seeking to lessen the burdens of their lives. […]

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapter 3

Charles Dickens

Summary The seeds of Facts planted by Thomas Gradgrind in his son have become a harvest of deceit and hypocrisy. Flattered by Harthouse’s interest, Tom reveals the circumstances of Louisa’s marriage to Bounderby. Bragging that he was the only one who could influence her, Tom, while he drinks Harthouse’s liquor […]

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapter 2

Charles Dickens

Summary Introduced in Chapter 2 by name is the stranger of Chapter 1. James (Jem) Harthouse, a young man bored with all of his travels and education, comes to work in the service of Gradgrind’s political party. Upon first meeting Bounderby, Harthouse is unimpressed by the “self-made man” story or […]

Summary and Analysis Book Two: Chapter 1

Charles Dickens

Summary Consisting of twelve chapters, the second book depicts the harvest — meager for some, abundant for others. Mr. Bounderby, having sowed seeds of unkindness, reaped an unhappy marriage and the loss of his wife; Mr. Gradgrind’s seeds of logic and Fact led to disillusionment and destruction; Louisa Gradgrind Bounderby, […]

Summary and Analysis Book One: Chapters 14-16

Charles Dickens

Summary These three chapters, “The Great Manufacturer,” “Father and Daughter,” and “Husband and Wife,” complete the sowing of seeds for the major characters. The first, “The Great Manufacturer,” is a time-span chapter. Several years have passed since the previous one; Tom has gone to work in Bounderby’s bank; Louisa has […]

Summary and Analysis Book One: Chapters 10-13

Charles Dickens

Summary These chapters present a picture of the struggles, the desperation, and the momentary joys of the working class. Entitled “Stephen Blackpool,” “No Way Out,” “The Old Woman,” and “Rachael,” they are chapters of character representation, of Dickens’ philosophy, and of symbolism. The tenth chapter injects some of Dickens’ philosophy […]