Hard Times
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Book 1, Chapter 1
Book 1, Chapter 2
Book 1, Chapter 3
Book 1, Chapter 4
Book 1, Chapter 5
Book 1, Chapter 6
Book 1, Chapter 7
Book 1, Chapter 8
Book 1, Chapter 9
Book 1, Chapter 10
Book 1, Chapter 11
Book 1, Chapter 12
Book 1, Chapter 13
Book 1, Chapter 14
Book 1, Chapter 15
Book 1, Chapter 16
Book 2, Chapter 1
Book 2, Chapter 2
Book 2, Chapter 3
Book 2, Chapter 4
Book 2, Chapter 5
Book 2, Chapter 6
Book 2, Chapter 7
Book 2, Chapter 8
Book 2, Chapter 9
Book 2, Chapter 10
Book 2, Chapter 11
Book 2, Chapter 12
Book 3, Chapter 1
Book 3, Chapter 2
Book 3, Chapter 3
Book 3, Chapter 4
Book 3, Chapter 5
Book 3, Chapter 6
Book 3, Chapter 7
Book 3, Chapter 8
Book 3, Chapter 9
Themes
All Themes
Fact vs. Fancy
Industrialism and Its Evils
Unhappy Marriages
Femininity
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Thomas Gradgrind
Louisa Gradgrind
Thomas Gradgrind, Jr. (Tom)
Josiah Bounderby
Cecilia (Sissy) Jupe
Mrs. Sparsit
Stephen Blackpool
Rachael
James Harthouse
Mrs. Pegler
Slackbridge
Symbols
All Symbols
The Staircase
Pegasus
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices
Alliteration
Allusions
Dialect
Foreshadowing
Genre
Hyperbole
Idioms
Imagery
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Oxymorons
Parody
Pathos
Personification
Satire
Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Style
Tone
Verbal Irony
Quizzes
All Quizzes
Book 1, Chapter 1 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 2 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 3 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 4 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 5 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 6 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 7 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 8 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 9 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 10 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 11 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 12 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 13 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 14 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 15 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 16 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 1 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 2 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 3 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 4 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 5 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 6 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 7 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 8 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 9 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 10 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 11 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 12 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 1 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 2 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 3 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 4 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 5 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 6 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 7 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 8 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 9 Quiz
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Hard Times
by
Charles Dickens
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Introduction
Intro
Plot Summary
Plot
Summary & Analysis
Book 1, Chapter 1
Book 1, Chapter 2
Book 1, Chapter 3
Book 1, Chapter 4
Book 1, Chapter 5
Book 1, Chapter 6
Book 1, Chapter 7
Book 1, Chapter 8
Book 1, Chapter 9
Book 1, Chapter 10
Book 1, Chapter 11
Book 1, Chapter 12
Book 1, Chapter 13
Book 1, Chapter 14
Book 1, Chapter 15
Book 1, Chapter 16
Book 2, Chapter 1
Book 2, Chapter 2
Book 2, Chapter 3
Book 2, Chapter 4
Book 2, Chapter 5
Book 2, Chapter 6
Book 2, Chapter 7
Book 2, Chapter 8
Book 2, Chapter 9
Book 2, Chapter 10
Book 2, Chapter 11
Book 2, Chapter 12
Book 3, Chapter 1
Book 3, Chapter 2
Book 3, Chapter 3
Book 3, Chapter 4
Book 3, Chapter 5
Book 3, Chapter 6
Book 3, Chapter 7
Book 3, Chapter 8
Book 3, Chapter 9
Themes
All Themes
Fact vs. Fancy
Industrialism and Its Evils
Unhappy Marriages
Femininity
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Thomas Gradgrind
Louisa Gradgrind
Thomas Gradgrind, Jr. (Tom)
Josiah Bounderby
Cecilia (Sissy) Jupe
Mrs. Sparsit
Stephen Blackpool
Rachael
James Harthouse
Mrs. Pegler
Slackbridge
Symbols
All Symbols
The Staircase
Pegasus
Lit Devices
All Literary Devices
Alliteration
Allusions
Dialect
Foreshadowing
Genre
Hyperbole
Idioms
Imagery
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Oxymorons
Parody
Pathos
Personification
Satire
Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Style
Tone
Verbal Irony
Quizzes
All Quizzes
Book 1, Chapter 1 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 2 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 3 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 4 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 5 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 6 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 7 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 8 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 9 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 10 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 11 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 12 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 13 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 14 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 15 Quiz
Book 1, Chapter 16 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 1 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 2 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 3 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 4 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 5 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 6 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 7 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 8 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 9 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 10 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 11 Quiz
Book 2, Chapter 12 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 1 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 2 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 3 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 4 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 5 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 6 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 7 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 8 Quiz
Book 3, Chapter 9 Quiz
Theme Wheel
Theme Viz
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Book 2, Chapter 2 Quiz
Hard Times: Book 2, Chapter 3 Quiz
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What does Tom's conversation with Jem Harthouse over drinks and cigars reveal about his character?
1 of 2
His insensitivity and self-centeredness regarding Louisa's sacrifices
His loyalty and protective nature towards his sister
His deep understanding and appreciation for Louisa's choices
His ambition to match his sister's social and financial status
What does the narrator imply about the future impact of Tom's conversation with Jem Harthouse?
2 of 2
It will lead to a stronger bond between Tom and Harthouse
It will have no significant effect on any of the characters
It will lead to dire consequences for all parties involved
It will improve Tom's financial and social status
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Kustner, Gabriella. "Hard Times."
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LitCharts LLC, 17 Nov 2013. Web. 14 Jan 2025.
Kustner, Gabriella. "Hard Times." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 17 Nov 2013. Web. 14 Jan 2025.
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