Abstract
The paper relates that Charles Dickens's novel "Hard Times" is essentially a novel about ideas, played out in the lives of the Gradgrind family. The paper discusses how the fundamental idea that is explored is the stark contrast between two very different value systems: on the one hand, the then modern practice of placing value in rationalism and utilitarianism; on the other hand, the more traditional and humane practice of placing the highest value in imagination and sentiment. The paper analyzes how the novel makes repeated use of contrast, in metaphors and imagery, to illuminate and underline this fundamental contrast.

From the Paper
"Charles Dickens's novel "Hard Times" is essentially a novel about ideas, played out in the lives of the Gradgrind family. The fundamental idea that is explored is the stark contrast between two very different value systems: on the one hand, the then modern practice of placing value in rationalism and utilitarianism; on the other hand, the more traditional and humane practice of placing the highest value in imagination and sentiment. The novel makes repeated use of contrast, in metaphors and imagery, to illuminate and underline this fundamental contrast."

Tags:dickens, hard, times

Abstract
In his classic 19th Century novel, Hard Times, Charles Dickens engages the reader and creates conflict by setting the story in industrialized Great Britain, where tremendous economic, social and cultural pressure is placed upon human beings to conform to what society expects of them and become little more than machines. He resolves this conflict by presenting the theme that without compassion and imagination, life in this kind of industrialized, conformist environment would be unbearable. This theme is conveyed and supported by Dickens through his masterful crafting of structure and form, setting, memorable characterization, and compelling dialogue, which he skillfully weaves together to engage the reader in the story.

From the Paper
"Father and Daughter" In Hard Times: An Analysis In his classic 19^th Century novel, Hard Times, Charles Dickens engages the reader and creates conflict by setting the story in industrialized Great Britain, where tremendous economic, social and cultural pressure is placed upon human beings to conform to what society expects of them and become little more than machines. He resolves this conflict by presenting the theme that without compassion and imagination, life in this kind of industrialized,

Tags:hard, times, dickens

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the main movement of the novel 'Hard Times' is the process by which Mr. Gradgrind is converted to the values of imagination and of sentiment which lie outside the utilitarian prospectus. The writer describes, in close detail, how this process occurs.

From the Paper
"When Charles Dickens's 'Hard Times' begins, Mr. Gradgrind is utterly committed to the values of utilitarianism. This is made immediately clear by the opening lines, in which Mr. Gradgrind expounds his philosophy of education to Mr. Bounderby: "Now what I want is, Facts. ... Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant ..."

Tags:dickens, hard, times

Abstract
This paper discusses how through the use of various literary devices such as plot, characterization, setting and symbolism, Charles Dickens is able to develop what becomes a poignant piece of propaganda in his novel "Hard Times," focusing his lens as a novelist on the plight of the poor and to awaken the conscience of his readers. It looks at how although Dickens is not in the end, a propagandist, he is able to develop a viable argument against a Utilitarian philosophy of rational self-interest and to awaken the audience's sensibilities to the depraved environment that this philosophy fosters.

From the Paper
"In Hard Times Charles Dickens depicts a society that is suffering in the wake of the climate of the Industrial Revolution. Certainly this reflected the realities of the Victorian England in which Dickens himself lived. During ..."

Tags:charles dickens, hard times, rational self-interest, utilitarian

Abstract
This paper analyzes Charles Dickens' novel, "Hard Times", focusing on the concept of industrialization and the effect of this political and cultural change on the characters in "Hard Times". The relationship between the rational and the irrational that is expounded upon with the theme of industrialization is also examined. In addition, the paper shows how Dickens' portrayal of the characteristics of industrialization and of 'fact versus fancy,' seems to be a commentary on the British life at the time when British citizens were struggling to identify themselves and the nation as a whole was trying to reestablish itself as a significant country in the global market.

From the Paper
"In the novel Hard Times, by Charles Dickens, there are several themes that work in conjunction with one another, and most especially are manifested in the dialogue and behavior of the main characters. One of the most important themes in the novel is the relationship between the rational and the irrational. This plays out quite significantly with Thomas Gradgrind and Josiah Bounderby. While Gradgrind is concerned with both behaving and raising his children in a manner consistent with the rational though model, Bounderby's seemingly limitless appetite for power and wealth contrasts significantly. These two opposing characters serve to show the extreme differences represented by Dickens in both the novel and of the time period during which he lived."

Tags:fact, fancy, rational, irrational, industrialization, Gradgrind, Bounderby, Blackpool

Abstract
In this article, the writer studies the allegorical significance of Coketown within Dickens' novel 'Hard Times'. The writer maintains that the typical manufacturing towns of industrial Britain are examined and Dickens intends to penetrate through the veneer of material prosperity and expose how society was degenerating in many ways. The writer discusses that Dickens' particular wrath is reserved for the ethos of utilitarianism which characterized the Victorian epoch. He demonstrates how this philosophy becomes a smokescreen that hides the ambition of the baser elements of society and facilitates their rise to dominance. The writer maintains that Dickens wants to show that cold calculation and self interest do not make for an environment of healthy human interaction. The essay offers detailed character studies as well as sociological and historical analyses of the times.

From the Paper
"Coketown is an allegorical place through which Dickens presents his vision of Industrial England. It is a harsh and bitter reality that he intends to convey. In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, Britain witnessed the phenomenon of the Industrial town, a place devoted to manufactures by the way of enormous factories, and driven by a voracious profit motive of the capitalists who owned the factories. The ferocious ambition of the capitalists led to exploitation on an unprecedented scale. The land and resources were plundered, and the brunt of the exploitation fell on the lower strata of society, who were forced to abandon the countryside and to huddle in the city slums, because the factories offered the only means of subsistence for them. The harsh realities of Industrialism are what gave rise to Socialism from various learned and intellectual centers in Europe. This was a political philosophy that sympathized with the oppressed proletariat after positing a class struggle between the owners of capital and their workers. "

Tags:industrial, revolution, Victorian, utilitarianism

Abstract
This paper discusses the main themes and the main characters of "Hard Times". The author shows how Dickens presented education as a microcosm of the social picture of the times and how Dickens explicitly critiqued the education system that existed in 19th century England, the Lancasterian system. The author also explains Dickens' view on the Industrial Revolution that had taken root in England through "Coketown", a typical city, and the new breed of employee that had been born - the factory worker.

From the Paper
"Imagine a world where there was only one, generic form of employment characterized by an assembly line. After a hard day's work there was no entertainment to be enjoyed: no sports, no opera, no theatre and no movies. No Le Louvre, no La Scala, no Mona Lisa and no Rudolph Nureyev. And lastly, imagine if one person enforced all of this. That person would be perfectly represented by Thomas Gradgrind. In reality, if Thomas Gradgrind had had his way, Newton who probably discovered more facts than any person in our history would not have given the world the foundations of physics that we enjoy today."

Tags:employment, entertainment, Thomas, Gradgrind, industrial, revolution, employer, employee, education, Coketwon, Lancasterian, system

Abstract
In this article, the writer analyzes Charles Dickens' novel 'Hard Times' and notes that it is constructed around the opposition between fact and fancy. The writer points out that Dickens criticizes the nineteenth century materialist and utilitarian philosophy, which had turned man into a simple cog in the large machine of the society. The writer maintains that the book is, at the same time, a social and a philosophical critique. The writer relates that Dickens denounces the political economy and the law system of the age, which were only concerned with raw facts and statistics, not minding the poverty and the hardships of the working class individual. The writer concludes that Dickens completely demolishes the materialist and reductionist philosophy of his age, showing the absurdity of cultivating nothing but the totally inhuman ideas connected with fact and palpable reality.

From the Paper
"The emphasis on the name is significant, as the character sees himself as a sort of epitome for the mechanic philosophy. He is constructed as being directly related to the philosophy he represents. Gradgrind shapes himself thus as to fit perfectly in the general mechanism of the world. Personality, no less than life itself, is based entirely on facts. Everything, including a human being, has a precise definition according to Gradgrind, who seems to imply that "Thomas Gradgrind" is only another name for definitions, calculations and demonstrations."
"There are many metaphors in the novel that support Dickens' characterization of Gradgrind."

Tags:poverty, working, class, Industrial, Age

Abstract
This paper discusses the techniques that Dickens uses to portray the character Sissy Jupe in "Hard Times" by Charles Dickens. The author feels that Dickens describes Sissy delicately and with grand detail; he sees her as the innocent angel of the story. The paper concludes that Sissy Jupe is a major character in farcical novel; she is the good character who somehow manages to touch all the other characters' lives.

From the Paper
"In the end, the book only ends satisfactorily for Sissy. She eventually has children, who her dear friend Louisa comes to love. Louisa loses her brother, who is the only person she really loves. Tom is banished for the bank robbery. When he tries to return home, he dies before he gets there. Louisa's husband also dies, and Mr. Gradgrind finally discovers that education, along with facts and figures, is not everything in the world. Life ends happily for Sissy because she is truly good and decent; it is the only thing imaginable that could happen to her. Life ends tragically for the others because they did not have the goodness in their hearts such as Sissy did."

Tags:technique, detail, innocent, farcical, goodness

Abstract
This paper analyzes the themes of courage, natural goodness, bravery and strength in Charles Dickens' novel, "Hard Times". The author discusses the applicability of these themes and their relevance.

From the Paper
"Dickens confronts mid- nineteenth century views of workers in industrial England. In Hard Times, certain members of the working class are highlighted as complex, noble and sentimental individuals. The workers struggle to survive against the repressing forces of industrial society obsessed with statistics and fact. Dickens characterizes the working class in order to reveal the abuses of a system obsessed with profit. In his depiction of the lower class, a collection of social disgraces surface. Both Stephen Blackpool and Cecilia Jupe are affected negatively by the system. Stephen Blackpool remains a victim of the unjust society, yet proves that there is hope within the crowd of workers. Cecilia Jupe is also a victim, yet maintains happiness regardless of her inability to assimilate. Cecilia and Stephen are hurt by notions and prejudice of the working class, yet exert the most admirable qualities of the "heart" in Dickens Hard Times."

Tags:blackpool, charles, class, dickens, england, fact, heart, industry, jupe, lower, sissy, stephen, upper