Labor Activism in Charles Dickens' 'Hard Times'

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Charles Dickens' treatment of trade unionism and labor activism in 'Hard Times'. The paper notes Dickens' distaste for wanton capitalism but notes also his distaste for the factionalism and divisiveness sparked by labor militancy. As it turns out, his preference is for workers and employers to find a common ground and to re-discover their common humanity.

From the Paper:

"The work of Charles Dickens surely ranks among the best and most moving in all of English literature. Dickens' work is especially poignant when he talks of the plight of the laboring poor in nineteenth century England. The following paper will explore Dickens' attitude towards trade unionism and labor agitation by looking carefully at one of his last great works, 'Hard Times'. As will soon become apparent, Dickens was far in advance of his times when it came to according labor activists the respect they deserved - with a few notable caveats. With that in mind, it is to a discussion of Dickens' Hard Times that this paper now turns. Dickens' attitude towards trade unionism and labor agitation was plainly evident in 'Hard Times'."

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