Hard Times by Charles Dickens

Hard Times – For These Times (commonly known as Hard Times) is the tenth novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1854. The book surveys English society and satirizes the social and economic conditions of the era.

Hard Times is unusual in several ways. It is by far the shortest of Dickens' novels, barely a quarter of the length of those written immediately before and after it. Also, unlike all but one of his other novels, Hard Times has neither a preface nor illustrations. Moreover, it is his only novel not to have scenes set in London. Instead, the story is set in the fictitious Victorian industrial Coketown, a generic Northern English mill-town, in some ways similar to Manchester, though smaller. Coketown may be partially based on 19th-century Preston.

About the Author

Charles John Huffam Dickens ( 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognized him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are still widely read today.

Reasons to Write the Novel

One of Dickens's reasons for writing Hard Times was that sales of his weekly periodical Household Words were low, and it was hoped the novel's publication in installments would boost circulation – as indeed proved to be the case. Since publication, it has received a mixed response from critics. Critics such as George Bernard Shaw and Thomas Macaulay have mainly focused on Dickens's treatment of trade unions and his post–Industrial Revolution pessimism regarding the divide between capitalist mill owners and undervalued workers during the Victorian era. F. R. Leavis, a great admirer of the book, included it – but not Dickens' work as a whole – as part of his Great Tradition of English novels.

Now let us come out of the predicament and discuss the summary of the novel and also if possible a through-out analytical discussion about some elements of the text will be enriched hitherto!

Summary

The premises is one of a school where students are present and along with them a teacher is scrutinizing their efforts and presenting his words!

Book The First - Sowing

1. The One Thing Needful

The novel starts by introducing us to a scary-looking Guy who himself, is the superintendent of the school. And standing in its classroom, he said, "In this life, we want nothing but Facts, sir; nothing but Facts!" - We know now that the students will be taught upon Facts along. And it is certain that they only need facts in their life. The author gives a total description of the speaker who from his words resemblance the very Fact, which he idealized.

2. Murdering the Innocents

The name of the scary-looking man is Mr. Thomas Gradgrind. He introduces him in a formal manner, always containing facts. In the classroom, he called out girl number twenty, whom he might not know, and asked her name. It was Sissy Jupe but Gradgrind give her the name Cecilia Jupe in terms of facts and asked her a definition of a horse, which she was unable to provide. Then, in the class, a boy named Bitzer, being called out, gave accurate answers in the letters of facts. But the answer was rather emotionless. Thus the third gentleman came, who questioned everyone in the class but the students weren't able to give him a proper answer. Jupe exclaimed her thoughts upon the answer but said it was by her fancy. But the speaker, rejected it because there is no room for fancy in a literal world; the only existential thing is facts, that are needed. Thus humiliating Jupr again and again by her incapability, the speaker revealed his name, Mr. M'Choakumchild, the class teacher. And she has knowledge in every field that is ever possible. The speaker hints that in this process of teaching them facts, Mr. M'Choakumchild was distorting them by killing their fancy.

3. A Loophole

Mr. Gradgrind walked homewards, he wanted all his children to be a model and indeed, he has five young Gradgrinds. And he already engaged them in pursuing facts. His home is called stone Lodge, situated a mile or two away from the Coketown. The description of the very house resembles Mr. Gradgrind's countenance; his house is equally built with everything that is in exact need. His children are only given the pleasure to study and they were brought up with seeing Professor Owen. Mr. Gradgrind is respected throughout Coketown and he describes himself as an eminently practical father. He returned home but on the way, he saw his two children were peeping through a circus tent where Signor Jupe, was performing. But this bewildered him as he never expected his children to be in this ridiculous place. He took Lousia and Thomas home and on the way, he asked them why. Louisa protested by saving her brother that she was tired of everything and brought his brother with her. Nut Gradgrind question her that what would others think of their delinquent actions and what would Mr. Bounderby say?

4. Mr. Bounderby

Mr. Bounderby was also a rich man who struggles throughout his whole life to shake off poverty but he still complains about his poor state. His coarse figure gives off a vibe of a metallic nature him. Before bedridden Mrs. Gradgrind, he describes his past life, how he becomes the Bounderby of Coketown. Though Mrs. Gradgrind could be better but being between these two men of facts, she herself lost her health. Thus Mr. Gradgrind brought his two children home and explains his incomprehension that how they can be spending time watching the circus. But on the thought of Mr. Bounderby, he came upon the mentioning of the new student Sissy Jupe and told that she might be a bad influence for Louisa. In the room of studies, they met Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrind and a little one Jane. But as for Mr. Bounderby, he only took interest in Louisa. In the end, before going with Mr. Gradgrind, he kissed Louisa on the cheek, and from the reaction of the child, we can say it was not the same friendly greeting that a friend would do towards his friend's child!

5. The Keynote

Mr. Bounderby and Mr. Gradgrind stroll around the industrial Coketown. This town is a town of red bricks but for this industrialization and smoke, it turned somewhat black. Though everywhere in this town, the buildings and the inhabitants are the same, concerning only about the facts, Coketown is eminently useful and it had produced this much that could it had ever produced. On their way to Pod's end, Gradgrind and Bounderby find Sissy running and she was chased by Bitzer, the ideal boy. They asked Jupe what she was doing and she replied that she was going home with nine years old Oil that would be useful for the bruises of his father. But Mr. Bounderby was a coarse man so he starts jeering about their living manners and life. But Mr. Gradgrind was kinder, he asked her to take them to their home and Jupe took them docilely leading their way.

6. Sleary's Horsemanship

Sissy takes Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby to the pub called Pegasus' Arms. There her father and the whole circus troupe lived but without finding her father, Sissy gets distressed and went to find him at the circus booth. In this while two circus men came and introduced them; Mr. E.W.B Childers and Mr. Kidderminster, Cupid speaks in incomprehensible slang at Bounderby's remarks. They informed them that Sissy's father, Signore Jupe hadn't performed too well and maybe he had deserted Sissy whom he loved most because he felt ashamed for his failure to achieve earning. Mr. Gradgrind and Bounderby discussed what to do in this situation while Gradgrind wants to take her in as the example for his daughter Louisa and Bounderby wasn't willing to do anything. In this commotion, the rest of the circus crew came along with Mr. Sleary. They may be uncivilized but their manners are generous. Meanwhile Sissy returns and on the news of his father's depart, she starts crying. Mr. Gradgrind offered to take her home and educate her. She accepted on this condition that if her father had ever returned she will meet him and the whole circus crew said goodbye to her in the most sincere manner.

7. Mrs. Sparsit

Mr. Bounderby returns to his own home. Being a bachelor, Bounderby left with a widowed woman, named Mrs. Sparsit. She had quite a history. On the breakfast table, Bounderby expresses his disapproval of Louisa being associated with the likes of Sissy. Mrs. Sparsit loudly aggresses Bounderby's assertions but sometimes she makes funny facial expressions states her real feeling which she dislikes. Mr. Gradgrind, Louisa, and Sissy enter the room, for a reason, Sissy overlooks Mrs. Sparsit and didn't greet her and Bounderby scolds her for these ill-treatings towards his home mistress. For a chance, Jupe slips that she and her father read many fairy tales together and the memories bring sorrow to her about their separation. Louisa may have ignored her but when the girl starts crying Louisa comforts her. Mr. Gradgrind tells Sissy not to mention her past again. And the three of them set off for Stone Lodge. Mr. Bounderby returned to his daily business.

8. Never Wonder

Once six years ago Louisa by chance said, "Tom, I wonder_" and got a lecture from Mr. Gradgrind about never to wonder in Life. Give an example of many to never wonder. Tom and Louisa were now moodily discussing and resenting their education of facts. The only consolation, they get is when they are at each other's company. But Louisa shows her emotion more openly where Tom expresses his discontent with life. He said that he sometimes manipulates Mr. Bounderby by mentioning Louisa's dislikings. On this remark of her brother, she remained curiously emotionless. With their monotonous talkings, Mrs. Gradgrind came and told them to leave this gloomy conversation aside or else their father would be mad at them and all his teaching would be worthless on them if they ever spoke of Fire and ashes like again.

9. Sissy's Progress

"Fantastic hope could take as strong a hold as Fact."

Sissy Jupe wasn't having a happy time in between this. The only thing that cheers her up is the thought that her father would return someday to ask for her. But still, she is in trouble with the facts and her progress in studies degrades. Mr. Gradgrind thinks that it is more necessary to grind her in the mill of knowledge. Sissy told Louisa it is better to be Louisa than her because she did many errors while studying. She would answer the factual questions with the tone of emotions and thus it is all wrong. From here, Louisa asked about her family and how if her father would love her mother. This shows the inner feelings of Louisa. She learns that Sissy's father was a clown and how he would love her, one time he gets mad at his performing dog Merryleg and beat it bad and next to it he fell crying with the dog for beating it and the dog also showed compassion to its owner; this invokes sorrows both in Sissy and Louisa and they both cried. And in the meantime, Tom came to ask Louisa to look sharp so Bounderby would take Tom to dinner. Now Louisa and Sissy both wait for his father's letters. Though Mrs. Gradgrind finds it to be a nuisance of Jupe's persevering.

10. Stephan Blackpool

This plot starts with a description of a man, named Stephan who is a "hand" in Mr. Bounderby's factory. He is a grey, haired old man who was waiting for a woman, named Rachael, outside of the factory. They both came together from their workplace to home, they might not be married, but from the departing of Rachael to her home, it is clear that Stephan has feelings for her. Though she thinks of her as a good old friend. At Stephan's home, we find another woman; not a woman more a creature itself, as it is drunk and sleeping on the floor. He is aghast to find his bed occupied by that woman. Through their conversation, it comes out that they are acquainted with each other.

11. No Way Out

Like any other day, Stephan works hard from the morning with hundreds of other hands in the factory and it is at noon at the lunch break, he went to Mr. Bounderby's house. Upon greeting him, Stephan found that Bounderby was having his lunch and Mrs. Sparsit was knitting alongside the fireplace. Stephan didn't want to speak at first, in the presence of Mrs. Sparsit but for Mr. Bounderby's persuasion, he did. He seeks favor from Bounderby to get rid of his wife and broke his marriage so that he could be free but Bounderby, again and again, rejects his appeal by saying the law is the law. You couldn't shake off your partner and should have to maintain the very sanctity of marriage. From better to worse, your wife will be with you. Mrs. Sparsit reveals Stephan's true motive of marrying another woman by getting rid of this one. Stephan's continuous appeal scandalizes Mrs. Sparsit and Bounderby said that she turned her marriage life with ten thousand pounds. Without having any help from Mr. Bounderby Stephan left his mansion with heartfelt sorrows.

12. The Old Woman

As Stephan came out of Bounderby's Place, he meets with an Old woman who was asking him about the well-being of Mr. Bounderby. Though he didn't meet her before, he finds a great resemblance in her face. She told her that she made this journey every year just to see Bounderby's face; though she didn't see him this year. When Stephan told her about the well-being of Bounderby, she seemed satisfied. They both walk alone to the factory and the old woman thinks that it is quite a marvelous place to work in a factory under Bounderby. At the end of the day, Stephan greatly seeks Rachael and after finishing his shift he longed for her. he thinks that all his unhappiness will disappear if he were free to marry her. Still, he went to his home where he knows that wench is, who subjugates its existence from the fair being, Rachael.

13. Rachael

Stephan came home at last but surprisingly he finds that Rachael was there and she was treating his wife. Rachael told him to go to sleep and she will look after her. She also reminding Stephan that his wife and she grew up together and he proposed to his wife and on this statement he groans. Stephan with a heavy heart and a tiresome body soon falls asleep and dreams about an uncertain dream, how his life turns into a wreck for the wretched existence of his wife. When he breaks from his sleep, Stephan saw that his wife was trying to end her life by drinking Poison but he freezes. It was Rachael who came to the rescue and snatches the poison bottle from her at just time. Stephan's sick wife falls asleep again and Rachael left him sorrowfully with his unconscious wife. There lies a mystery in the freezing state of Stephan and the caring state of Rachael which is not revealed yet.

14. The Great Manufacturer

Time may have changed as Louisa, Tom and Sissy became young men and women but the town is still the same and machinery. Tom is a young man and is now working under Bounderby at the bank. While instead of a lot of effort Sissy is still not acquainted with the facts and Mr. Gradgrind said that it is the fault of her past life's fancy learning. Still, she is good and well-mannered and generous and for that Gradgrind likes her and gave her the responsibility to look after Mrs. Gradgrind. While Louisa is now more saddened as she is still out of emotions and feelings. Her father and brother may have been planning something of her being a young woman. Tom, her brother is not different from what he was, always using Louisa's selfless love towards him for his own benefit in life. Here a clear contrast is made between the state of Sissy and Louisa. Now Mr. Gradgrind also becomes a member of the parliament and it is as "fact-based" and "machinery" as the Coketown itself. Nothing is humanly left there among the sea of facts.

15. Father and Daughter

"There seems to be nothing there but languid and Monotonous smoke. Yet when the night comes, Fire burst out, father!"

It starts with a description of Mr. Gradgrinds room which is the machinery of an astronomer's room, without any window. He called his daughter Louisa to discuss her marriage with Mr. Bounderby. With this revelation, Louisa at first didn't show any emotions, but then said she didn't love Mr. Bounderby. On this statement, his father told her to remove all her sentiments and judge them in terms of facts. She replies that she accepts it but for a moment it seems that she will release her pent-up feelings altogether. She knows that there is no history of communication between her and her father, no subjet of romantic or feelings. It is a lost cause to pursue her dyed father with emotion. So instead of complaining, she assured on the well bringing up of her father which never left her as a child; to be a child. She then said she will marry Mr. Bounderby which was her father's wish. Mr. Gradgrind then takes her downstairs and revealed the news of this wedding before Mrs. Gradgrind and Sissy. The clear sentiments of sorrows and shock were there, on the face of Sissy but Louisa turned cold and made a distance with Sissy from here on.

16. Husband and Wife

It is in the house of Mr. Bounderby. He is now nervous on the account of how he would reveal the news to Mrs. Sparsit; as she never would take anything positively. But when Bounderby said he is going to marry Louisa, Mrs. Sparsit seems compassionate with it and give them greetings on their marriage life and also told Bounderby that she sees him rather the victim in his own marriage and on that night nothing said by Bounderby ever could move her. Later on the wedding night, Tom seems rather glad of the occasion as it would be beneficial to him. Now Mr. Bounderby should have to treat him well. But Louisa is trembling and looks upset on the prospect of going on a honeymoon to Lyons, Mr. Bounderby thinks to see some factories there. While Tom notices a thing and cheerfully passes her off to Bounderby.

Book The Second - Reaping

1. Effects In The Bank

The description of the Bank was given and in it, Mrs. Sparsit exists, thinks herself as a bank fairy but while others thought her to be a bank dragon. She sits at the living quarters attached to the bank of Bounderby's factory. Sparsit chats with Bitzer who is now a young man and the Bank's porter. Their conversation turns into a malicious one as Bitzer mentioned Tomas Gradgrind who is a lazy young man and doesn't earn his money. While they are conversing, someone arrives at the door; Bitzer finds a young gentleman who is trying to find Mr. Bounderby. The manners and the flattery of the gentleman somehow charmed Mrs. Sparsit. From their questioning and answers, it is revealed to him that Bounderby married Gradgrind's daughter who isn't an old hag but a fairly young woman. Upon the young man's departure to find Bounderby, Mrs. Sparsit sits for any hours, thinking about something ill-intentioned towards Louisa.

2. Mr. James Harthouse

The young man was Mr. James Harthouse. He was recommended by his brother as a "Hard Fact Fellow" to work for Mr. Bounderby. It was under the prospect of Mr. Gradgrind. Mr. Bounderby and James met and discussed quite a lot. The manners and flattery of James looked promising to Mr. Bounderby; he likes this fellow but Jem felt quite a boredom. It all cleared up when he met Louisa and he already took quite an interest in her cold mannerism. He is long-awaited to see a smile on her face and this wish comes true at last when Tom came home and attended the dinner. Louisa gave a warm smile towards her brother and James took a note of it. Though Tom himself behaves slovenly and disrespectfully at dinner and it proved Mrs. Sparsit and Bitzer's worry. At last, Tom proposed to James to serve as a guide on his way to his motel.

3. The Whelp

After dinner, Jem took Tom to his room in the hotel and offered a cigar and drink. James acts as a guide to take out pieces of pieces of information from Tom about Louisa and it was from him that James learns Louisa didn't marry Bounderby of affectionate Love. It is for the governor, their father, and for the well-being of her brother; Louisa did this. Tom also gladly tells Jem that for him, she could do anything and this attitude of Louis pleases him. He has no sense of guilt for using his sister that way. Later that night Tom was taken out by the waiter from the hotel and he stumbles along the way to his home. The author hints that the conversation between them may have dire consequences later in their relationships.

4. Men and Brothers

All the workers of Coketown gathered in a place in order to protest against industrialism and the benefactor of the wealthy ones over the worker class. An orator, Slackbridge was giving a speech on that topic before the audience but among them, a single person wasn't interested in their view; Stephan Blackpool. The orator introduces him for his different views and then on the stage, he expresses his reason for not supporting them with a countenance of sorrows and sufferings. Many among the audiences remained silent for his pale state but from the next day he was treated as an outsider among them. He was alone for at least four days as he was lacking the courage to talk to Rachael. He knows that if he did, she will also be a foreigner among the ladies. After those days at last Bitzer came and told him that he was summoned by Mr. Bounderby to his mansion and he went there.

5. Men and Masters

Stephan arrived at Bounderby's house; in his drawing-room, there is Louisa, James, Tom, and Boundervy himself. He demanded before Stephan to reveal the information about the newly formed union among the workers. But Stephan said that he didn't believe their purpose would succeed and he didn't want to play the role of a spy for them. So he didn't speak up. Only Louisa in their room is sympathetic towards him. Bounderby, again and again, asked him to reveal the information but Stephan stayed with his decision and started reasoning with his standpoint; he told that it is only realistic to have a worker uprising because no one could hold the power forever and this angered Bounderby. He, at last, fired Stephan and he left with a scornful look saying that only God can help us all. Louisa also took her eyes off him.

6. Fading Away

Stephan came out of Bounderby's mansion, and meet with Rachael and that Old woman whose name was Mrs. Pegler. Stephan took them with him to his room for tea. And while having a conversation with Pegler, it revealed that she once had a son and lost him. in this time a knock heard on the door and Louisa and Tom came in. Louis was shocked by the poverty of Stephan and it is clear Tom didn't come for his own account; Louisa then tried to help Stephan by giving him money but he didn't take it. Rather for courtesy, he took 2 Pounds and promised to return. Tom did a strange thing; he told Stephan to be present before Bitzer at the bank every night before leaving this town and it will do him good. In accordance with Tom's request, Stephan did so but nothing happened. Now he is bound to leave the town; he left in a few days to seek employment in another town. Though he is only regretting his choice that he must leave Rachael behind, the only being who truly loved him in this materialistic Coketown.

7. Gunpowder

James Harthouse gets along with Bounderby and then he plots to get close to Mrs. Bounderby. He accidentally came to Louisa when she was alone and started manipulating her through his flattery. From Louisa, he came to know her offerings to her brother. He persuades Louisa to talk about the ill-dealings of her brother and James state that he would help. At a time he drifts from his subject and Louisa stated that his complains became improper but Harthouse roundaboutly comes to the subject that he cares about their brother-sister relationship. In this way, he begins to establish the beginnings of an intimate relationship with Louisa. Later James meets Tom and informed him that he should be more grateful to his sister as she helped him many times which is considerable but Tom said that the debt which he had is more considerable and said his sister is a piece of machinery. James had thought of pitching this whelp into the pond beside them for how pathetic he is. But he helped him with one condition that he should have to be more affectionate towards his sister and Tom's aggressive. As Tom's behavior improves Louisa starts smiling upon Mr. Harthouse thinking gratefully of him as her brother's benefactor.

8. Explosion

James Harthouse's inner state of mind revealed before us; how he was bored from his life but found new delights in Louisa and he wanted to perfectly seduce Louisa. On his way back from work James found Bounderby explosively coming towards him and he said that the bank was robbed. Though what is stolen is just 150 pounds, for Bounderby it is as dreadful robbery as anything. On their way, they met Louisa, Mrs. Sparsit, and Bitzer. Both James and Louisa suspect it to be Tom but didn't reveal it before Mr. Bounderby. But Mrs. Sparsit and Bitzer gradually suspect Stephan Blackpool who continuously leaping around the Bank every night and now he is out of town. This incident shock Mrs. Sparsit and she moved into Bounderby's mansion for someday. She called Louisa Miss Gradgrind rather than Mrs. Bounderby with kindness and affection. That night Tom came home late and Louisa was waiting for him. She, again and again, asked Tom to reveal something which he might have concealed, but he said nothing; rather he told Louisa not to say, about their visit at Stephan's home, to anyone. And Tom kissed Louisa and offered her goodnight. But when Louis left, he wept his tears of self-pity and self-guilt.

9. Hearing The Last of It

Mrs. Sparsit was trying to extend her period of time, living in Bounderby's house. She shows extra attention to him and for that, Mr. Bounderby realizes how cold Louisa is, towards him. Day by Day Mrs. Sparsit became come attentive and the indifference between Bounderby and Louisa boosts the relationship between James and Louisa. Though Mrs. Sparsit was attentive, in Bounderby's absence, she made contemptuous comments about him. After it, Bitzer came and gave Louisa the news of Mrs. Gradgrind's poor health. For this reason, she left for Stone Lodge; the same one which she holds dear once but now became completely colorless. Upon reaching there, Louisa finds Sissy and Jane, her little sister. Mrs. Gradgrind was at the worst health of all. Louisa saw that Jane is a more sensible woman than she ever was because she was under the care of Sissy. And at the last breath, Mrs. Gradgrind tries to say something to Louisa and his father, about a little thing that they might have missed in their learning of facts. But before being able to write it, Mrs. Gradgrind dies.

10. Mrs. Sparsit's Staircase

Mrs. Sparsit is too affectionate with Mr. Bounderby for that she was given the advice to come into his mansion every Saturday and leave on Monday. Though she is affectionate, she shows the contempt in his absence. In this process, she also notices the progress in the relationship between Louisa and James. She thought of a staircase, the bottom of it covers with darkness and she saw Louisa was coming down by it. And she rejoices as Louisa is coming down. One evening from a window Sparsit saw James's intimation with Louisa but didn't comprehend what they are talking about while they are actually talking about the robbery. James, at last, persuaded Louisa about believing that Stephan, who she believed to be a good fellow, actually done it. But admitting it creates a relief as well as a bad feeling in her.

11. Lower and Lower

Mr. Bounderby said to Mrs. Sparsit that he will go on a business trip for 3-4 days. And without happening much in the relationship between James and Louisa, Mrs. Sparsit expects that it is the prime time of their rendezvous. So she asked Tom for a dinner that night and came to know he will meet Harthouse that night and told him to convey a message to Louisa that she will not come that night at Bounderby. At night, she saw Tom waiting at the rail station and thought it is just a ploy to keep him out of the Mansion. She strolled along to Bounderby's Mansion where she found James proposing his feelings to Louisa but she told him to leave but at last, agrees to pay him a visit but elsewhere. James left, Louisa went into the house and came out to go there. Mrs. Sparsit wasn't able to listen to the place as it was raining; she follows Louisa to the station, hoping that she would lodge a train to Coketown but after a slide this take, she lost Louisa and starts weeping at her wet state in bitter disappointment.

12. Down

Louisa didn't go to Coketown, she has gone to Stone Lodge in that rain. And after arriving in her father's cabin; she exclaimed her misery to her father. How it is all his fault for not letting them enjoy them of the fancy of their childhood. Louis revealed that Harthouse explains his love towards Louisa and Louisa didn't know if she loves him or not but for the first time someone shows affection to her. Louisa made a request to her father to save her from this state without using his philosophy and facts. For the first time, Mr. Gradgrind's pride falls upon the floor at his feet, with all his so-called facts.

Book The Third: Garnering

1. Another Thing Needful

The next morning Louisa finds herself, in her bed; she came to know from Jane that she was being cared for by Sissy. Mr. Gradgrind came to the room and showed compassion towards her. He said that he might have neglected the education of the heart and as he is neglected from it, he didn't know how to help Louisa in this state. He told that someone in the house is teaching the education of the heart what the education of the head is unable of doing. After her father left, Sissy came to the room. Louisa became angry for this good spirit but she showed extreme kindness and generosity towards her and win her over. Thus Sissy told Louisa that she would teach her, how to understand emotion and affection. It would help her to come out of this troubling situation. In this way, she comforts her with benevolence.

2. Very Ridiculous

Mr. Harthouse was wondering why Louis didn't meet him at the said point. He went to Bounderby's but didn't find anyone and went to the bank. In the bank, he found Tom who asked James, where he was last night as he waited for him all night. Without finding any trace of Louisa, he returned to his hotel and there an attendant came asking that a young woman came to visit him. James thinks it was Louisa but it turns out to be Sissy. She came here to inform that James has no hope to meet Louisa again and for the pure heart of Sissy, James wasn't able to resist it. Sissy also asked him to leave the town immediately and James has no way out without agreeing with it as he is guilty. He lost to Sissy and by writing a letter to his brother Jack, he left the town at last. All his trying of mishaps is in vain now.

3. Very Decided

Mrs. Sparsit, that night, came wet upon Mr. Bounderby and told him everything that she saw. And being enraged, he tossed Sparsit on the couch and went off to Stone Lodge. he revealed before Gradgrind, the affair between Louisa and James. But Mr. Gradgrind told them that Louisa came home that night immediately and Boundervy became embarrassed; send Sparsit home for exaggerating. Then he asked for an explanation from Mr. Gradgrind for his daughter's behaviors. Mr. Gradgrind hesitantly said that he might have misunderstood the feeling of Louisa and the education of facts alone can't be enough. Louisa might haven't got love in marriage and this enraged Bounderby; he then started his own testimony and rebuked both the father and the daughter. He said Louisa didn't respect him also and that is the reason for their incompatibility. Bounderby left Stone Lodge by saying that if Louisa didn't come home before 1 O'clock, Mr. Gradgrind has to take responsibility for his daughter for the rest of his life. And when the time is past, he packed all her belongings and sent them to Stone Lodge; he started his daily life as a bachelor again.

4. Lost

The robber of the bank robbery hasn't been found out yet. And Stephan is the main suspect till now. Slackbridge uses this opportunity to snatch his position again by saying that it is right to shun this criminal, whose poster is all over the town as a wanted thief. There is also suspicion of Rachael and Mrs. Peglar. In the Stone Lodge, upon the presence of Mr. Gradgrind, Sissy, Louisa; Mr. Bounderby, Tom, and Rachael came. She tried to prove her testimony about the innocence of Stephan. Louisa confirmed their visit to Stephan's place that night and Rachael ensures that Stephan will come back home in 2 days. Mr. Gradgrind shows his compassion for this lad who is falsely accused of robbery. Louisa asked forgiveness from Rachael but the injury was done and it is all shame on Stephan now, for the false claim. Bounderby went home that night while Tom by his side always frightened for his deed. Louisa and Sissy were certain that it is him. While Rachael wrote Stephan a letter but still didn't come in 2 days.

5. Found

Still, Stephan doesn't come home, Sissy went to Rachael every night to soothe her feelings. But frightening thoughts arise in her mind that Robber might have killed Stephan. Sissy made a prospect that Rachael should take a country tour to calm her down. They both went on a walk and beside Bounderby's mansion, they saw a spectacle. Mrs. Sparsit was dragging out of her couch an old woman, Mrs. Pegler. She presented her before Mr. Bounderby and Mr. Gradgrind (as they were busy in their meeting). Many turned up in the house as the prime suspect may have been held. Mr. Gradgrind protested Mrs. Pegler's action towards Bounderby for abandoning him, as he revealed that it is his mother. But by shocking all of them, Mrs. Pegler told that it is she who was abandoned(30-pound pension). Her child didn't want to be accommodated with her. And all the truths and Idealls that Bounderby told throughout this time turn up all are just lies. And he, being embarrassed, ordered everyone to leave his house immediately. While Tom became a shadow, Louisa and Sissy suspect him to be the robber. And Louisa fears that he might have shut Stephan from appearing again in this town.

6. The Star Light

Sissy and Rachael went for a little countryside trip to relax on, but on a field, Rachael panicked as she saw the hat of Stephan lying on the ground. In a little distance, she almost falls in a great chasm. They started panicking as they thought Stephan might die by falling into it. Both of them went for help and collected many men and a surgeon. By toiling with rope and life, they created an elevator and by some hard tries, at last, they are able to take up Stephan's body who was on the verge of his death. From him we came to know that he was returning to Coketown for clearing his name after receiving Rachael's letter but on the way, he fell into it but he is alive because, in the chasm, he follows the ever-shining star upon him. Then he called Louisa to tell her father that he has the responsibility to clear his name. And How? - for this, he should ask Tom as Stephan talked to him that night at his house. From a monotonous welcome, it turned into a bitter goodbye, as Stephan dies along with holding the arm of Rachael under the star and the funeral possession started.

7. Whelp-Hunting

Sissy whispered to Tom, to flee from there so that he couldn't be caught by Police. As Stephan told Gradgrind to catch the robber; he was engaged in finding Tom but he was unable to do it. For the next time, Mr. Gradgrind shut himself in his room and didn't eat well. The next morning after having breakfast Sissy revealed that Tom will not return to this country again. She told him to take shelter at Mr. Sleary's Circus(The Circus where Sissy once belonged). Sissy and both the father and the daughter went to find Tom at the circus which is now situated near Liverpool. Everyone in the circus welcomed Sissy warmly and when Tom was being presented before his father, he was painted black in the face like a clown. Though Tom is guilty, he told his father that everyone put into a situation of trust, must have someone to be mistrusted and that is the Law. He also blamed his sister for leaving Bounderby alone and cast off his friend, James from the city. he also agreed with the plan of escaping the country. But on the way they were confronted by Bitzer who caught him by the collar and told to take him to the Police.

8. Philosophical

"Every inch of the existence of mankind, from birth to death, was to be bargain across a counter."

Bitzer is so much devoted to taking Tom to the Coketown; for that, he might get the position of Tom and all reasoning facts are clearing his decision. Mr. Sleary also said that he agrees with Bitzer and he would let him take Tom to Coketown. But Sissy knows that he has other plans. Though Mr. Gradgrind and Louisa seemed dismayed, Mr. Sleary tricked Bitzer with the horse and the carriage and rescued Tom to take him back. Later that night, in the inn, he revealed his plan to Gradgrind and he then tried to pay him. But Mr. Sleary didn't accept money rather he told him to let his people visit the circus next time when it will be held in Coketown. And entertainment is a necessary need like studying. 

9. Final

At Bounderby's home, everything became open now, at lunch they both are insulting each other while managing to remain dignified. but Bounderby, at last, told Sparsit to leave his house at once and she did it with pleasure but openly criticized him at the end with all the thoughts that he harbored. Mrs. Sparsit spends her day taking care of the old lady Mrs. Slackbridge; Bounderby was still arrogant while Gradgrind remedies his ways and changes his philosophy of life and education; Facts make way for faith, hope, and charity. Rachael gloomily spends her time working at the factory and taking care of the drunkard wife of Stephan. Louisa is gentle now, taking care of Sissy's child. Tom dies far away from home and wrote a repentance letter to his sister. His sister's name is on his lips as he dies.

Analyzing some points about the Novel

1. Mr. Gradgrind's way of calling Sissy "girl number twenty" instead of by her real name shows how he wants a factory-like school that cares only about stuffing facts into children. As Sissy, is unreasonably humiliated in front of her classmates for answering Mr. Gradgrind's questions as any child might be expected to answer them, Bitzer's mechanical answers demonstrate what education of Facts can do to children.
2. Louisa's unwillingness to embrace her father's beliefs about avoiding circuses and the way in which she stands up right away for her younger brother forecast her attitudes in both of those areas as an adult. The ridiculous way in which Mr. Gradgrind drags his children away from the circus shows how little he understands the natural curiosity of children.
3. Early in the novel, Bitzer's treatment of Sissy is a sign that education of only "Facts "does not necessarily develop moral or good people. As the book progresses, Bitzer is revealed to possess a number of nasty qualities that proceeded from his education of "Facts".
4. Note that the circus people gather at the Pegasus's Arms—named after a mythological flying horse, and contrast that to Gradgrind's insistence that his students define horses only realistically. This contrast establishes the circus folk as being aligned with "fancy" as opposed to "fact". The circus people's names, containing the words "Child" and "Kid" further emphasizes their connection to "fancy". Gradgrind's confusion and Bounderby's contempt, meanwhile, show both their inability to perceive beyond pure "fact" and how that affects their ability to connect or empathize with others.
5. With Stephen, the novel introduces the workers at Bounderby's factory. That these workers are called "hands" indicates the degree to which they aren't treated as real, full people. From the point of view of Bounderby, their sole purpose is to do the things he wants him to do—to be his hands. Stephen's physical indication signals the difficult life of a worker, but it is clear that the greater cause of his unhappiness lies with these two women in his life: sweet Rachael and the drunk hag, who is actually his wife. Two greater opposites could not be imagined.
6. The contrast between Mr. Bounderby's fine way of dining and the bone-tired state of the poor factory workers is striking. Dickens is absolutely trying to make clear the huge disparity in wealth created by industrialization.
7. Mrs. Pegler's belief that the factory must be marvelous is a testament to the middle class's (not to mention upper class's) blindness regarding the awful conditions for workers during industrialization. The woman's awe of the factory also hints at a deeper connection that she has to Bounderby himself that will come out later in the novel.
8. Rachael's tenderness in caring for Stephen's wife and her old friend shows what a great good one loving woman can do. Rachael is depicted as a kind of saint. The clear implication in Rachel's story of growing up with Stephen's wife is that Stephen could have picked Rachael, but didn't, thus dooming himself. Why Stephen picked as he did, or why his wife became a drunk and a prostitute, is never explained.
9. Stephen's hesitation in preventing his wife from committing suicide shows just how much he wishes he could escape from his marriage. That Rachael acts immediately despite her own clear love for Stephen shows what an incredibly good and unselfish person she is.
10. The determination of these two egoistic characters, Mr. Bounderby and Mrs. Sparsit to preserve their pride and vanity at the expense of the other makes for a comic and ridiculous scene. 
11. Harthouse is a very different character from the other men in the story. His description of Gradgrind and Bounderby as "Hard Fact Fellows" has a bit of mockery in it, suggesting that he himself is not such a "Fellow". Neither does he seem a limp loser like Tom. Instead, he possesses the disingenuous art of pleasing whomever he may like, and as such is bored with the world.
12. The terrible conditions of the factory eventually inspire the men working there to band together to try to strengthen themselves so as to be able to face off with the owners. but, the group that hopes to prove the antidote to the poison of industrialism—the union—hurts Stephen just as much as the factory itself does. In doing so, the union shows that, like the owners, it cares more about power than about people.
13. As a poor man, Stephen is at the whim of forces larger than him: the powerful factory owners and the growing unions. Neither cares about him, or about the one true thing in the novel—his love for Rachael.
14. Mr. Bounderby's ridiculous greed is betrayed by his disproportionate outrage at being robbed of so small a sum of money. Furthermore, it becomes clear to the reader that a poor factory worker, Stephen, has been taken advantage of to shield the real perpetrators of the crime from justice…another abuse of the factory workers by the system.
15. Mrs. Sparsit is a comical character in physical features and in personality, but it is no laughing matter how she tries to drive Mr. Bounderby and Louisa apart. She is a duplicitous character, who is showing so much affection to Bounderby to distance him from Louisa. At the same time, her nasty comments about Bounderby once he is gone show that Sparsit hates him too—she seems to want not Bounderby himself but the comforts of his wealth and home.
16. It is the wife—the woman—and not the husband who first realizes that the education of facts did not supply her children with everything they needed in life. In Dickens' typically dramatic way, Mrs. Gradgrind dies before being able to articulate what it was missing.
17. Mrs. Sparsit's craftiness reveals the other side of the spectrum of femininity: a jealous desire to revenge herself upon the woman who took her place at Mr. Bounderby's side. Mrs. Sparsit not only suspects Harthouse's intentions, but she also tries to push them along by not going to the house herself—she is trying to invisibly push Louisa down that staircase.
18. In contrast to Louisa, Mrs. Sparsit, and even Mrs. Gradgrind, Sissy is a perfect model of femininity. She is earnest and good and sweet and humble, yet totally firm and unmoving and unafraid when it comes to protecting those she loves from those who would do them harm. Just like that, she gets rid of the terrible threat to Louisa's happiness (or unhappiness) that was James Harthouse. And she can do and be all this, even though she grew up in the circus because she grew up with imagination and fancy and love.
19. Sissy's kindness in visiting Rachael and Rachael's deep concern for Stephen mark these two women as the two most loving characters in the book. They are poor, but deeply feminine, and have the capability of redeeming what is bad in the industrial, fact-based world of Coketown.
20. Everything Bounderby boasted about himself his entire life has turned about to be a lie—he is not a self-made man, who lifted himself up from poverty to great wealth. The loss of his false origin story eliminates whatever moral authority he may have had, and he is revealed to be a man who used the advantages of his use to gain wealth and then systematically used that wealth to trample on others. This is criticism of the novel's representative successful industrialist, and thus a criticism of industrialism itself, which the novel suggests is hollow, built on both lies and the backs of the poor.
21. Stephen would not have died had he not been expelled from Coketown by selfish, heartless Mr. Bounderby, had he not been unjustly framed by the real culprit of the Bank robbery, and had he not been shunned by the union. His tragic death is, by extension, a consequence of the industrial system and its corrupt factory owners, the actions of a young man educated only by facts, and the workers who themselves are corrupted by industrialization. Yet Stephen's words to Rachael indicate a way out of forgiveness, which is the central tenet of Christianity. The novel, through Stephen, is suggesting that industrialization has stolen true Christian faith from both owners and workers and that only by reclaiming the core Christian attributes can the corrupting influence of industrialization be tempered or cured.
22. Gradgrind now truly understands the impact of his educational philosophy on his children. Note how, with suffering, he now somewhat resembles Stephen. How ironic that Tom finds safety now in the very place his father dragged him and Louisa away from when they were young. The circus, so "dangerous" to a boy being educated by facts, is the Gradgrinds' only hope now. Note also how the circus folk hugs Sissy. The other "fact-based" characters in the novel almost never touch each other, certainly not in friendship or joy. Sleary helps Gradgrind because of Gradgrind's kindness in taking in Sissy—"fact-based" actions do not inspire such loyalty.
23. At Last, Gradgrind still sees the world as transactional—someone does something for you, you pay them. Mr. Sleary, in contrast, seems to see it was relational; kindness should be met with kindness. Sleary's final words are another attack against the "fact-based" world of industrialization, which treats people like mere cogs and does not attend to the "Fancy" they need in life to truly thrive.
24. In the end, almost everyone has received what they deserved (even Stephen achieved a kind of peace in death). And yet, this is not your typical happy ending; there is a shadow of sadness over the lives of all the characters that will not go away because of the undoable harm done to Louisa and Tom by the education of facts, and to Stephen by the evils and corrupting force of industrialization.

Thus my long research on Hard Times Ends. I hope it will help you guys for a better understanding of the Novel.